Mona Vale Hotel: Major makeover and name change for popular Beaches’ pub
“I want the pub to have that local, relaxed feel again”. Sydney hotel giants refurb, rename and relaunch one of their most popular premises on the northern beaches.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A popular northern beaches’ pub is set to unveil a makeover and change in name.
The Park House at Mona Vale has been undergoing a major refurbishment for months, behind closed doors, and will emerge on the October long weekend as “The Mona”.
Its owner Ben Hanson, who grew up in Dee Why and Manly, says the new premises will have a fresh new look as well as a “renewed spirit” while keeping its atmosphere as a “quintessential local pub”.
This will be its second big renovation in the past seven years after the former Mona Vale Hotel — known to locals as The Mona — transformed into Park House Food & Liquor under the ownership of hotelier Fraser Short and the famous Laundy pub owning family after they bought it in 2014.
Since 1966 it was the Mona Vale Rex Hotel for many years.
But now Mr Hanson, pub tsar Arthur Laundy’s nephew, has put his own stamp on the place.
The Mona will celebrate beach culture with a mural of Australian and local surfing great Simon Anderson surfing at North Narrabeen, painted by Australian artist Steve Gorrow.
Mr Hanson said as well as paying homage to the area’s surfing heritage, it would complement The Mona’s commitment to supporting the local surf community.
As part of the transformation, the pub will have “Ben’s Bakery Cafe & Pizzeria” — opening at 6am — to honour Mr Hanson’s father Peter Hanson, famous on the northern beaches for founding Ben’s Bakeries at Avalon and on The Corso at Manly in 1977.
It will offer artisanal baked goods, including pastries and coffee, alongside wood-fired pizzas and deli sandwiches.
“For me, the biggest thing is bringing back ‘The Mona’ and Ben’s Bakery Cafe,” Mr Hanson said.
“I want the pub to have that local, relaxed feel again.
“Both venues have been institutions on the Beaches.
“I want The Mona to be recognised as a terrific, family-friendly, fun, and inclusive venue for people of all ages.
“We aim to create something that will be enjoyed within the community for years to come, whether it’s by sporting groups or locals alike”
Other changes included a revamped courtyard with indoor and outdoor dining.
There will be a new menu, developed by Mr Hanson, in collaboration with Laundy Hotels group head chefs.
It will continue to offer “good Aussie hospitality” with favourite pub classics, as well as elevated “surf and turf”-style mains, salads, share plates and tacos.
New dishes include oven-baked salmon with chimichurri spice rub, blackened corn, tomato salsa and salad; and Tin can brisket nachos with bean chilli, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa and jalapeño.
The Beer Garden and Back Yard have both undergone a significant upgrade with new astro turf, shade sails, and the addition of the playground. It will feature an iconic airstream caravan, accommodating beer taps near a deck for live music, and a mega-large screen TV for live sports.
More than 150 new plants, including a mix of Australian tropical and subtropical varieties, have been added to the beer garden.
The grand reopening will feature, on Friday October 4, “Mona Fridays” DJ WEISS form the UK, with support from New Zealand’s Body Ocean. On Saturday, October 5, headline act The Beautiful Girl will perform in the Back Yard set.
There will also be Dachshund races, a reptile show for the kids and the NRL Grand Final broadcast on Sunday October 6.
All events will be free and “open to all”.
For more info take a look at The Mona’s website.
The ‘holy grail’ of church property portfolios revealed
Towering skyscrapers, hundreds of homes, thousands of commercial buildings and expansive farmland – the holy grail of property portfolios of major churches can be revealed. See the list of property sales in your suburb.
Nailed it! Aussie women creating history at America’s Cup
Australian sailors in the first women’s America’s Cup are tapping into some famous inspiration for their history-making appearance in the famous regatta.