Harlem today is culturally richer, more diverse and hip than ever before – its neighborhoods never so sought-after by visitors since the Harlem Renaissance. This is Harlem's comeback, full of flavors and surprises.

We have a vision of a forward-thinking and sophisticated place where neighborhood residents, cocktail aficionados, foreign visitors, and the arts community will all gather. At Sugar Monk, art will meet mixology.

Binikos’ ingenious art cocktails are created from the most unusual elements and thrill the most discerning palates. The drinks will be made with the freshest ingredients, the finest spirits, and an array of artisanal bitters, infusions, and extracts, all beautifully presented.

The rich sensory experience of exquisite cocktails and warm, splendid art-filled surroundings with eclectic music will assure a magical evening. 

We are very excited to join Harlem’s vibrant and historical community alongside local legends such as The Apollo Theater, Studio Museum of Harlem, Minton's, Sylvia’s, and The Schomburg Center. Harlem is a unique and culturally rich neighborhood and we are honored to be a part of it, as both residents and business owners.

More About Us

Master mixologist Ektoras Binikos has been head mixologist at the 3-star restaurants Aureole and Oceana, and at the renowned Michael’s New York.  Most recently, he was the mixologist and managing partner at the 2^ndFloor on Clinton, an exclusive cocktail lounge on Manhattan's Lower East Side.  His unique talents and managerial skills have ensured a solid track record of success for the past 3 years.

                           

2^ndFloor on Clinton is already famous – it features in countless guide books worldwide and has earned great reviews from Yelp,Google and Foursquare. It is listed as one of New York's Best Speakeasy Bars by the Business Insider, the Thrillist, and Yelp. 

                                               

(The ownership of the building has recently changed and 2nd Floor on Clinton  closed on July 29, 2015)                                              

             

Binikos has always been at the forefront of mixology and has won numerous awards. He has created cocktails to raise funds for charity events as diverse as HURRICANE KATRINA, an NYC AIDS benefit for Rwandan children and THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. His cocktails have also helped fund the MILLAY COLONY OF THE ARTS in Austerlitz, NY, the SPENCERTOWN ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS in Spencertown, NY, and the STEEL YARD ART COLONY in Rhode Island. In 2011 he founded ART & SPIRIT MIXOLOGY, a company focusing on fine mixology, restaurant consulting, brand development & alignment, mixology seminars, and custom-designed specialty cocktails for corporate & private events.

Binikos has been featured in several publications, including NY Magazine, Time Out NY, The Daily News, The San Francisco Chronicles, Wine Enthusiasts, Village Voice, Manhattan Magazine, and Paper Magazine. 

He strongly believes that mixology is alchemy, the mysterious process by which inspiration is transmuted into a liquid creation. It is the chemistry of the most subtle kind which gives the mixologist the ability to transform base spirits into noble elixirs of life.

In February of 2007, world-renowned performance artist MARINA ABRAMOVIC and the New York GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM commissioned Binikos to create a birthday cocktail for Abramovic’s 60th Birthday Celebration Gala at the museum.

LIQUID HYMNS TO THE POIGNANT MUSIC OF J.S.BACH

On June 27th 2012, he collaborated with the acclaimed Icelandic violinist Hlif Sigurjons in a live performance at the 2^nd Floor on Clinton. During Sigurjóns’ candlelight performance of the seminal Partita II in D minor for solo violin, Binikos served the audience five unusual spirited infusions, each corresponding to a particular movement of the piece. The alchemical potions were spring-water based, infused with herbs, bark, extracts, spices, dry berries, leaves, roots, tree resin, alcoholic spirits, and bitters. Binikos' inspiration for these infusions came from his narrative interpretation of the movements as well as his emotional response to each.

                                 Caspar David Friedrich cocktail (The Artist's Cup)

Gary Regan, an authority in mixology, noted cocktailian and author of numerous books said: "I wish there were more bartenders like him, but that would be impossible. I am so impressed with all the thoughts that go into his creations. He's one of a kind. And we're lucky enough to be around to witness his genius."                

                                           Joseph Beuys cocktail (The Artist's Cup)

Simon Jutras has a very diverse creative background.  His keen interest in architecture & design has led him to create interiors and design furniture for numerous private clients. 

He has also been a successful New York photographer running his own company Simon Jutras Photography (www.simonphotography.com) for over 20 years, with clients including Calvin Klein, Nine West, Tod’s, Mark Fisher, Coach, Diego Della Valle, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess, among many others.  His work has been published in numerous books and magazines. He is currently working on an art book with Ektoras Binikos, centered on mixology inspired by various artists.                                              

Jutras will design and oversee the construction and creation of the space.  He will also be responsible for the marketing and branding of the company, managing PR, photography, advertisement, and general publicity.

Risks and Challenges

It’s no secret that opening a business in New York City is not for the faint-hearted. It would be easy to get lost in the challenges that such an endeavor might present – or it would if we did not have many years of experience behind us.  Having managed and built other people's businesses over the years, we have acquired the tools to meet any challenges.  Our management skills, enthusiasm, creativity, and passion, combined with our artistic sensibilities, will help us create a unique gathering place where alchemy and art offer a transcendent experience for its guests.