Wetlands Preserve

Wetlands Preserve, commonly referred to as “Wetlands”, was a nightclub that provided a habitat for nightlife in New York City for nearly thirteen years. Its dual purpose was to create an earth-conscious, intimate nightclub that would nurture great live music, integrated with a full-time environmental and social justice activist center. It was located at 161 Hudson Street in the [[TriBeCa] neighborhood. The original concept came from founder-owner Larry Bloch ,who set its course for over eight years before passing the helm to Peter Shapiro in 1997. Shapiro remained faithful to the mission until September 2001, when the gentrification of TriBeCa caused the building to be sold and the club was forced to close. 'The Wetlands’ independent, in-house booking strategies and the freedom to play all night nurtured a scene that helped bands develop a following. Late-night jams lasting until dawn were common. It was the intimate connection fostered between artist and audience, the continuity of a live DJ connection to the vibe of the night, and carefully balanced sound throughout the club, including the halls and bathrooms, that would bring the 7,500-square foot, two-level space to a pulsing unity that John Popper of Blues Traveler would lastingly nickname “Sweatglands”. Supported by the music, Wetlands spent over one million dollars during its lifetime to fund the Activism Center at Wetlands Preserve, originally named the Eco-Saloon.