Green & Tonic formed in August 2007 as a group of ten friends seeking to find a way they could influence sustainable business changes in their community. They realized that the vibrant bar scene in San Francisco was an avenue to reach many. As fans of the “Green Bar” Elixir, including its organic cocktail menu and monthly Green Drinks Happy Hour, they decided to focus their efforts on helping more bars in the city operate in sustainable ways.

“The timing was perfect,” said Ehrmann. “I have been frustrated that, in a city that leads the country in pioneering green initiatives, no other bars have completed the program. I wanted to do something to change that and along came this group asking for my help.”

Elixir became one of the first fifty businesses to become designated as a Green Businesses by the City of San Francisco in December of 2005. Two years later it is still the only bar to do so. Ehrmann is hoping that the Green & Tonic program will change this.

Mr. Ehrmann has already enlisted the participation of a number of bars, including Mission District neighbors Casanova Lounge and Doc’s Clock, and downtown cocktail bar, Cantina. Each participating bar will begin the process of becoming certified through the City’s Green Business Program. In addition, Ehrmann will consult with each bar operator on changes they can make specific to the bar business, above and beyond the City’s recognition program.

Green Business practices help reduce operating costs through reduction in utility bills. For instance, diverting waste from the landfill through recycling and composting helps reduce garbage bills. Similarly, energy and water conservation efforts reflect on the energy and water bills. The City of San Francisco also offers businesses several rebates for energy and water efficient equipment to reduce capital costs. Businesses that demonstrate their commitment to the environment by meeting Green Business standards are also rewarded through free promotion by the City.

“There is a bit of investment involved in both time and money,” warns Ehrmann. “For example, it costs more to use organic produce, green cleaning solutions and energy efficient lighting, but it is an upfront investment with long term rewards. Changing the way your business operates takes time and planning, but positive change is what improving both your business and the environment is all about. You save in energy expense, provide higher quality products to your customers and become part of an important change in the way we all make decisions in our personal and professional lives.”

To help defray some of those costs, Green & Tonic’s plan is to hold fundraising events at the bars that join their program. The first event will be Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 at Elixir’s weekly Charity Guest Bartending program. Because Elixir is already a designated Green Business, the funds raised at that event will go to pay start up costs of a web site and promotional materials for the program. Additional events will be planned in consecutive months with a schedule posted on the Elixir Green Drinks webpage until the Green & Tonic website launches. For further information on the Green Drinks happy hour, please visit www.elixirsf.com/greendrinks.htm

About H. Joseph Ehrmann

H. JOSEPH EHRMANN is the Proprietor of Elixir, Founder of CocktailAmbassadors.com and the Brand Ambassador for Square One Organic Vodka. His innovative bar program at Elixir has garnered awards and attention from local, national and international media and his participation in neighborhood leadership has brought about positive change for the Mission District of San Francisco.

About ELIXIR

ELIXIR, San Francisco's Second Oldest Saloon Location, has been serving Mission Dolores neighbors since 1858. As the first Certified Green Bar in California, the saloon features a full collection of organic beer, wine and spirits, along with inventive organic cocktails. The restored original Mahogany back bar reminds guests of San Francisco's Wild West roots; while 4 TVs, satellite sports, 2 real dart boards and a rock and roll jukebox entertain its contemporary customers daily. A bright and friendly atmosphere during the daily Hour Happy Hour is followed by the allure of red velvet curtains and candlelight by night. With an extensive spirits collection, delicious and award-winning signature cocktails and 15 of the freshest tap beers around, ELIXIR is the Mission's Neighborhood Saloon.

For further information on the Charity Guest Bartending program, please visit www.elixirsf.com/guestbarmain.htm

For more information on Elixir, please visit: www.elixirsf.com

About Green & Tonic

GREEN & TONIC is comprised of 10 local young professionals working to increase their community's sustainability by 'greening' the pubs of San Francisco. The group formed in August 2007 and began to examine what changes they could make to live more sustainable lives and decided to effect change in San Francisco’s vibrant bar scene. The group will partner with bar owners to help them begin 'greening' their bar and will organize a fundraiser at that locale to help with the initial costs of necessary improvements to reduce the bar's environmental impact.

For more about Green & Tonic please contact Laura Cholak at lauracholak@gmail.com

About the San Francisco Green Business Program

San Francisco Green Business Program is a partnership of various City agencies that promote, recognize and provide hands-on support to local businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. The San Francisco Green Business Team includes the San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco Department of the Environment, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and various other agencies participating in an advisory role. This team provides free pollution prevention and resource conservation assistance to the San Francisco business community.

For a listing of green businesses, our green business standards and other information, please visit: www.sfgreenbiz.org