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Mark Klemen

The owner of Funky Buddha set out to open the only organic and sustainably built club in the country.

Monday May 12, 2008.     By Maya Henderson

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After 10 years of successfully running Funky Buddha Lounge, Mark Klemen could have easily turned his next nightlife venture into a mega club with bottle service and a dress code. Instead, he decided to open Butterfly Social Club, the only organic and sustainably built nightclub in the country.

Made entirely of eco-friendly and locally sourced materials, Butterfly is where healthy Chicagoans, conscious clubbers and nightlife mavens go to imbibe without a guilty conscience.

"People are just getting use to organic, and we're doing pristine, living, vitality, chemical-free and organic drinks as a basic starting point," says Klemen. "We've started offering filtered sodas, more organic beer and wine, organic syrup concentrate for flavored sparkling drinks, and we're working on a new seating design—all in an effort to get people comfortable enough to try our unique cocktails."

Coming to Butterfly without trying its specialty cocktails would truly be a mistake. Drinks like the Goji-tini, a citrus-y mix of house-infused goji berry vodka, fresh-squeezed orange juice and raspberry soda topped with a handful of goji berries, come loaded with antioxidants. The raw and alcohol-free cocktails are full of exotic herb blends, healthy superfoods and premium ingredients. The Jungle Cacao, a mix of raw chocolate, maca, coconut water, goji berries, Amazonian herbs and agave nectar, tastes as rich and creamy as a Jell-O Pudding Pop—and, according to Klemen, it’s energizing enough to sip as a post-workout snack.

The entire drink menu is a labor of love, created by Klemen, his wife Verda and friends in the local raw community, who are dedicated to living a natural lifestyle. "I used to drink junk, feast at McDonald's and eat beef jerky," says Klemen. "I now live better and perform better, without any sacrifice to my tastes or preferences. I never miss the garbage anymore. I really do eat and drink exactly what I want and love, and I feel better doing it."

Where do you like to eat in the city?
Crust and Bistro Campagne are the only organic restaurants in the city. No one else has a real commitment except Bleeding Heart Bakery [1955 W. Belmont], and I'm not into the whole white sugar and flour thing.

Where's your favorite place to shop?
Nau [now closed] and Pivot [1101 West Fulton Market] have some interesting organic clothing options in Chicago. Greenmaker [2500 N Pulaski] is also a great store.

What's your favorite hidden gem in Chicago?
The outdoor patio at Crust is great in the spring and summer, and the bike paths up north are a pretty awesome escape from the concrete jungle.

Where do you like to hang when not at Buddha or Butterfly?
Hawaii.

Do you have a favorite drink at Butterfly?
The Jungle Cacao, Roots Rocks Rasta [a house-made energy tonic] and fresh squeezed OJ.

In town for Green Festival? Check out ButterflySocialClub.com for a list of Green Fest events.