Ahh Tokio, now there was a spot after my own heart. Remember Tokio Gone Wild? I hope so because it no longer exists any where on the site; otherwise, you’re going to have to dig around the old noggin for memories or if you were so inclined – the folder on your computer where you save all your naughty files. At any rate, Tokio was the closest thing resembling a dive bar/glam club hybrid in Hollywood.
Alright given…the blood red lighting only served to detract attention away from the chewed up furniture and, sure, there was only one trough from which all libations were served, but Tokio was a popular habitat of the uninhibited and wasted. People of the night hustled like Charlie to party like proverbial rock stars. When it got crowded enough, the bar looked like the trading floor at the NASDAQ – “Long Island selling at 9! Long Island selling at 9?” – but t’was all in good fun and hopefully that ideal has not been totally abandoned.
Perhaps inspired by the ‘Cahuenga Renaissance’ and designer club rage, Tokio Los Angeles LLC announced its plans for Hollywood’s first and only eco-friendly bar and lounge – the Ecco Ultra Lounge. Set to open its doors some time in mid July, expect a complete overhaul typified by minimalist décor at its most gaudy.
Beau Robb, the keen eye behind Area and Privilege, is in the works of something truly ground breaking as ‘eco-friendly’ is not just an overused buzz word in the case of this lofty venture. The
Ecco Ultra Lounge will be the nation’s first eco-friendly certified nightlife venue. Everything from Disco Designer and Cosmo Lighting’s state-of-the-art, energy-efficient LED lighting system to Joe Lodi’s award winning Turbosound speaker system will be powered by the
L.A. Department of Water & Power’s Green Power resources.
How green could
Ecco Ultra Lounge possibly be might you ask, doubting Thomas? Well, let me count the ways. Take note –
o Paperless everything made possible by UpCode Solutions USA and its Mobile Access & Interaction technology (MAI) ™
o Waterless urinals complete with energy efficient recycled steel air pressure toilets
o Solar paneling to minimize electricity usage
o State of the art "Dyson Airblades" hand dryers
o Free valet service for hybrid car owners
o An all organic cuisine served nightly
What more could a tree hugger possibly want? How about access? With the
Ecco Ultra Lounge opened for business but not officially christened into the Hollywood circle, the Tokio Los Angeles LLC group is, undoubtedly, in a pr frenzy for RSVPs from Hollywood’s most sought after VIPs.
Much like any new kid on the block, first impressions are everything and unless your name is Leo DiCap or Cameron Diaz, you will probably have to settle for a sneak peak courtesy of the Discovery Channel. Adrian Grenier, star of HBO’s hit series, Entourage, hosts
“Alter Eco” which will air an episode detailing Tokio’s transformation from seedy to P-C. Hey, at least you won’t have to wait behind a velvet rope to catch a glimpse at pop culture history.
The new addition to the Cahuenga Corridor, Ecco Ultra Lounge, looks to fill the void left by the once stalwart, GOA. Stay tuned to ZonkIt for further developments. Viva la vida de los noche! Oh and shout out to Al Gore! After all, he probably thought of this idea of a ‘green’ club long, long before the whole World Wide Web craze.
- F. Grimes
Grimes
