Laundy Hotels’ icon of the northern beaches officially begins trade today as The Mona, after a grand reopening, major overhaul, and addition of fellow peninsula legend Ben.
A staple of the precinct for nearly a century, the storied Mona Vale watering hole began life in 1925 as the Old Rex Hotel. After that it bore the name of its home for years, before Laundy and the Short family bought it in 2014, later remodelling and renaming it Park House.
It is now under the stewardship of popular local and nephew to Arthur Laundy, Ben Hanson, who grew up in Dee Why and Manly. He was also the inspiration for his father, Peter, to launch and operate Manly and Avalon legendary baked goods outlets Ben’s Bakery, from 1977.
Relaunch of The Mona ushers in Ben’s Bakery Café & Pizzeria, opening 6am daily, which Hanson feels is the ideal complement to the surfside hotel.
“I want the pub to have that local, relaxed feel again. Both venues have been institutions on the beaches,” he says.
The renovation of The Mona celebrates local culture, starred by a striking mural by Australian artist Steve Gorrow of local hero Simon Anderson surfing at North Narrabeen.
There is a revamped courtyard, and beer garden and ‘Back Yard’ re-designed by Hanson with families in mind. The outdoor space, lush with greenery, now features an airstream with five beer taps, a deck for live music, and a 4×3-metre big screen TV for live sport. It will serve as a versatile space for events, including live music and food festivals.
And there is the addition of a playground, featuring Moduplay custom-made equipment, with a 4-metre slippery dip, multiple swings and climbing structures, sheltered by shade sails.
There is also a new kids’ corner inside the hotel, equipped with Nintendo Switches, a large chalkboard wall and assorted toys.
The Mona is sporting a new food menu, developed by Hanson in collaboration with Laundy Hotels’ head chefs, serving pub classics and upmarket ‘surf and turf’-style mains, salads, share plates and tacos.
Ben’s Bakery Café swings open early for coffee and pastries for commuters, and morphs at midday into a pizzeria, serving wood-fired creations from the Vesuvio pizza oven and DIY sharing boards.
The Mona is slated for a series of launch events across the Labour Day long weekend (4-7 October), following an invitation grand opening night.
Festivities include a line-up of entertainment, and all events are free to attend and open to all. Kick-starting is ‘Mona Fridays’ showcasing international DJ WEISS from the UK and Body Ocean from New Zealand. On Saturday, The Beautiful Girls headline, after the inaugural Dachshund races.
Sunday will bring a reptile show for the kids and broadcast of the NRL Grand Final for the adults.
“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,” concludes Hanson.
