Our Story

Ektoras Binikos and Simon Jutras, the co-founders of Sugar Monk in Harlem, have chosen Industry City as the location for their new venture, Bitter Monk—a cocktail bar and tasting room for their micro-distillery and spirits brand, ATHERAS SPIRITS. Since launching Sugar Monk in 2019, Binikos, a skilled mixologist and visual artist, alongside Jutras, a photographer and designer, have gained recognition for their distinctive approach to mixology. Their cocktails draw inspiration from art, history, and music, featuring house-made elixirs crafted from foraged plants, roots, and flowers—many of which are typically considered inedible but offer a wealth of intriguing flavors that connect the drinks to the natural world.

The establishment of a micro-distillery allows Binikos to build upon his work at Sugar Monk. “I’ve always viewed cocktails as art, capable of provoking emotions and guiding guests on a journey,” Binikos explains. “I apply the same philosophy to my amari, liqueurs, and bitters, and I’m excited to have a new home and production space to explore unique flavors. We want our guests to experience our products both on their own and in cocktails, while we share the production process with them.”

Born on the Greek island of Ikaria, nestled within the Aegean Archipelago and traversed by the Atheras mountain range, Binikos finds inspiration in the wild herbs and shrubs that flourish in the area. This enchanted mountain serves as the namesake for ATHERAS SPIRITS.

Guests can enjoy their experience in an intimate 17-seat space designed by Jutras, characterized by a soothing green-and-plum color scheme that fosters a calm, modern-industrial ambiance. The dim golden lighting illuminates soft leather seating and mid-century-inspired marble-top tables, while a stunning mosaic of 48 colored glass window panels adorns the wall behind the bar. Each panel varies in hue, creating a stained-glass effect that casts vibrant light patterns throughout the space, especially during daylight hours.

“The Philosopher’s Stone is integral to the design of Bitter Monk,” Jutras explains. This alchemical symbol is featured in a large mural on one wall and in the ironwork of the back bar. According to legend, the Philosopher’s Stone could transform base metals into gold and silver, while also serving as an elixir of life, capable of healing ailments, restoring youth, and granting immortality. “This symbol embodies our ambition to create something extraordinary,” Jutras adds.

A large 12-foot by 7-foot window adjacent to the bar and tasting room offers a glimpse into the laboratory and kitchen, allowing guests to witness the production process in real-time.

Starting in April, Binikos and his team initiated the maceration process in their production lab, aiming to have their products available for purchase by bottle and for distribution by Fall 2024.

ABOUT INDUSTRY CITY

Industry City is a 6 million-square-foot mixed-use complex comprised of 16 buildings on the waterfront in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The property’s ownership – led by Belvedere Capital, Jamestown and Angelo Gordon & Co. – is transforming the complex, while cultivating a diverse tenant mix that fuses today’s burgeoning innovation economy with traditional manufacturing and artisanal craft. To date, the transformation has included over $450 million of infrastructure improvements, the addition of destination courtyards, experience-driven dining, design retail and other amenitization and event programming. This work is paving the way toward a vibrant and diverse community made up of forward-thinking companies, thoughtful designers, and the next generation of artisans. www.industrycity.com.