The Report
This venue is VRV (Venue Report Verified); Venue Reporter Cortnie has personally visited this venue. Deep in the heart of downtown San Diego, a city known for its pristine beaches, surf culture and proximity to the Mexican border, lies this super chic industrial warehouse space or as it’s posh proprietors, The Moniker Group refer to it, “dream factory.” High on character and charm, low on pretention, whatever your fantasy fete may be, you can be sure it will come alive at the Moniker Warehouse.
Chief designers The Moniker Group, who own and operate this lovely locale say, “Design is more than bits and pixels, more than pretty lines, more than a magazine dream. At the heart of design is great human experience. And the greatest human experience is the kind that expands your vision of the world. The kind that shows you what a better world might look like, and what it will take to build it.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. It’s why we clink our glasses. Pore over inspiring invitations. Create fabulous florals. Play with words, themes and memes. Each element contributes to the larger whole. We’re setting a scene and for one day or night, creating an experience that won’t fade off into the ether. True human experience is the collection of small, nameless moments that in the end, stitch the fabric of our lives.
The heartbeat of this place echoes within this urban setting, or quite possibly what we’re feeling is the thoughtful care and craft from Moniker founders, James & Ryan who truly believe Moniker’s goal is to help people live out their stories and to make every far-fetched idea or mental image a tangible reality. We instantly loved their passion for the community and revitalization of downtown San Diego the moment we met them. We gathered around a super cool new whiteboard table they had just constructed and immediately felt like old buddies.
HOW WILL MY GUESTS GET HERE?:Fly into nearby San Diego International Airport (approx. 10 miles away) and take a car. Or the train. San Diego is known for its extremely convenient (and fun!) trolley system.
The Scoop
History Lesson. What was once an intersection with horse-drawn carriages and the smell of freshly baked bread is now a historic landmark in East Village, San Diego. The building housing Moniker Warehouse was once a brick bakery that went through several transitions during the past 100 years, unfortunately falling into a state of despair and neglect. Sayanara gloom and doom! Helllloooo, neighborhood revitalization and sidewalk activation! Aka, it’s stunning. Now the building has been restored to its original brick façade based on historical photos. Even the original Snowflake Bakery sign was repainted across the top, worthy of the stately character of the building itself. Can you imagine how many loaves of bread were baked in these ovens? How many mouths fed? How many delighted passersby who indulged their sniffers in the scent of freshly baked bread?
The Moniker Warehouse is a magnificent multipurpose arts and creative center in the up-and-coming Upper East Village district of downtown San Diego. By day the venue serves as a creative work space and by night is terrifically transformed for a wide variety of events ranging from concerts & fundraisers to wedding ceremonies & receptions. We think it would also be wonderful for movie screenings, product launches and creative workshops.
The historical red brick façade has been used as the backdrop for films, photo shoots and engagement/wedding photos. The interior shares the same brick history (but in gorgeous white!) and includes beautiful industrial high-beamed ceilings. The floors are a polished concrete, shining brightly as the anchor to any event’s setting. With a standing capacity of 350 and a seated capacity of 200, whatever your event needs may be, they are sure to be met here. We’ve heard each journey begins with a single step. For us, that proverbial first step is the always the venerable venue. Luckily for all you party planners out there – The Moniker Group will be your Jimminy Cricket as you traverse this odyssey towards whichever type of soiree you wish to hold at this metropolitan mercantile of modernism and marvel.
PHOTOS: Top Row: The Youngrens | Row 2: Moniker Warehouse | Row 3: Viera Photographics
Bonus
The space also provides free off street parking for 30+ vehicles, as well as abundant street parking in the surrounding area. dditionally because the space is so large, you can really be flexible with your set up. We love what the couple in the photos above did for their wedding. They offered a variety of food stations for their guests, set around the perimeters, representing the globe! Delicous bites were catered by Bombay Indian Food, Azuki Sushi, and Holy Rice Balls.
STYLE FOR YOUR SETTING
The Moniker Warehouse exudes an industrial, rustic chic vibe (which we love) and allows for a blank canvas of event imagining. In a building with such a rich history, vintage modern décor would be the perfect fit – but be careful, the devil’s in the details and overdoing this theme is a common mistake. It's the fresh and modern mixed with history and texture that really brings this space to life.
1. Comfy Cozy Lounges: No matter the occasion - be it wedding, workshop, screening, etc. Set up sweet sitting areas for more private conversations. Comfy lounges are a nice way to make guests feel cozy in an otherwise urban/industrial environment. Sweet rugs and an antlered chandelier will round out the scene nicely and provide a bit of masculine edge to anything tufted or textured. You can mix and match colors and textures of your choice from our of our favorites, Found Rentals, who will rent these pieces for your event. (They are located less than 2 hours away from this venue!) Photo: Aaron Delesie 2. Heirloom Furniture: To really tie a rustic space together we suggest investing in handmade piece from Moniker! They not only own the venue but are masters at making furniture. Head table for the event, and heirloom table in your house after the event. For a movie screening, take a page out of the Moniker Warehouse book and employ their gorgeous recycled crate booths. We’d turn these babies around to face the screen and decorate each with lush greenery to soften em' up. 3. A Storied Past: Remember how we told you that Moniker was once a bakery? Well let's bring the baked goods back with a dessert bar set up to look like the bakery that once was! Via Cannelle Vanille.
Inside Scoop
The Moniker Group will help with any event installation such as a gorgeous floral chandelier, built-in reclaimed wood booths or if you prefer a more rustic vibe, hanging mason jar lights strung across the entirety of the warehouse. We love helpful hands. We also love history. Moniker was nominated for a Historic Preservation Orchid award not only due to it’s meticulous restoration, but the fact that it was done in the original manner by artisan painters. A dying breed of artists who painstakingly hand-painted the brick and signage to match the original black color. These true craftsmen, mostly in their late 50’s and 60’s, did an excellent job in restoring one of San Diego’s oldest buildings, the Snowflake Baking Co., to its’ former glory. It is now the jewelbox from which Moniker Warehouse shines bright like a diamond. We love a venue with a rich history of service to others and find in it’s current state it’s doing just that.Highlight Reel
- A 100-year old brick bakery building in downtown San Diego is perfect for events of (200) seated or (350) standing.
- The red brick façade and white brick interior provide the perfect backdrop for photo shoots!
- The sky’s the limit! Moniker Warehouse is a perfect blank canvas for weddings, receptions, concerts, fundraisers, movie screenings, creative workshops and product launches.
- Owners and designers, the Moniker Group will assist with all planning and buildout.
- Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, guests are close to the Gaslamp activities ranging from professional sports games, boat cruises around the harbor, Coronado Island excursions and the heart-pounding nightlife and amazing restaurants.
- It’s easy-peasy to get here! Take a car or the trolley from the San Diego Airport – only 10 miles away.
Around Town
Take in a ballgame. Head to Petco Park and grab a seat at Southpaw Social Club to warm-up before the game. It’s southern barrelhouse influenced eatery located on the other side of the Petco Park outfield with an amazing craft beer selection and one of the best tri-tip sandwiches in town. Visit | southpawsocialclub.com
To throw a terrific twist into any photo shoot, try a couple of different venues for a variety of shots, angles & light. While Moniker provides it’s own incredible backdrop with the red brick, right across the street you’ll find Silo – Makers Quarter, a year-round event space rich with San Diego history AND a blooming garden set against a bit of a grittier, urban setting. Rehearsal dinner perhaps?! Visit | makersquarter.com
Nearby Little Italy is a cultural staple of downtown San Diego. Queenstown Public House is rather new to the SD scene, but has garnered acclaim for its innovative design, variety of local beers on tap and mouth-watering fare. Did we mention the living wall is on the ceiling? And yes, those are sheep on the ceiling. Visit | queenstownpublichouse.com
VENUE: Moniker Warehouse PHOTOS: Top Row: The Youngrens | Row 2: Moniker Warehouse | Row 3: Viera Photographics | Design Rows 3 - 6: Concept Events+ Thomas Bui
