The Moniker, a new cocktail lounge and restaurant in downtown St. Louis, is nearing its opening.
Located on the street level of the Six Cord apartment building at 1000 Washington Ave., the restaurant plans to open in early spring. Specific soft and grand opening dates are still to be determined, but the restaurant is expected to be fully open by mid-April.
The team behind The Moniker includes owner and operator Jordaryl Logan, bar manager Rodney Gray and business consultant Britteney Ofodile. The Moniker will focus on cocktails while also offering small plates.
The team behind The Moniker includes (from left) business consultant Britteney Ofodile, bar manager Rodney Gray and owner and operator Jordaryl Logan. The trio is photographed next to a mural of Logan's late mother that was painted in the restaurant space.
Nathan Rubbelke
With about 20 years in the restaurant industry, dating back to his days in college, Logan said he’s always wanted to operate his own restaurant after working elsewhere in the industry, including locally at One Cardinal Way, the Gin Room and the Four Seasons.
“I’ve found it’s my passion. It’s my gift,” Logan said.
The origins of The Moniker tie back to Logan’s role leading the bar program at One Cardinal Way, the apartment tower that’s part of downtown entertainment district Ballpark Village. That’s where he met Alex Oliver, who lived in the tower and whose real estate firm Oliver Properties owns the Six Cord building. The apartment tower is also where Logan met Ofodile, who has lived at One Cardinal Way. Logan and Gray have worked together previously, including at One Cardinal Way.
The opening of The Moniker comes as Oliver Properties seeks to boost the number of residential occupants and retail along a stretch of Washington Avenue downtown. In addition to the 213-unit Six Cord building, Oliver owns the 87-apartment Vangard Lofts at 1110 Washington and the 36-unit Bee Hat Lofts at the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Avenue. Other recent acquisitions by Oliver Properties include parking lots just south of Washington Avenue, along St. Charles Street between Eleventh Street and Tucker Boulevard, as well as the former space of Copia Restaurant & Wine Garden at 1122 Washington and ground floor retail space at the Meridian Lofts at 1136 Washington Ave.
The team behind The Moniker said it wants to be part of Oliver’s efforts to strengthen Washington Avenue. Logan, Ofodile and Gray said they all live downtown.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Moniker to the Washington Avenue neighborhood and Six Cord,” said Oliver. “Their concept not only enhances our dining scene but also reflects the unique stories and diverse backgrounds that make our neighborhood special.”
The Moniker’s beverage menu will position the cocktail lounge as a “experience-driven, educational-driven spot,” with a focus on using spirits from smaller producers and distilleries, Logan said. The small plates offered will have global flavor.
“The food is going to be inspired from world travel but influenced by our roots here,” Logan said.
Some expected menu items include conch salad, Persian meatballs, house made hummus, chicken ribs and cotton candy crème brulee. Logan said he expects the menu to be ever evolving.
The Moniker occupies a 1,700-square-foot space that seats about 60 and includes an open kitchen concept. The 16-seat bar with a handful of seats that have a direct view of the kitchen and that will serve as a “chef’s table” for guests.
The Moniker is expected to have about 15 employees. It will be open from 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. It could add an additional day of operation in the future, said Ofodile. There are also plans to add a patio space along Washington Avenue.
The investment to open The Moniker totals roughly $400,000. That includes financing from angel investor James P. O’Donnell and grant funding from Greater St. Louis Inc.’s downtown retail incentive program.
