Ben Hanson, nephew of pub mogul Arthur Laundy, has taken the reins of a storied pub in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Established in 1925 as The Old Rex Hotel, the pub has a rich, almost century-long history. The venue was renamed The Mona in the 1980s, before Laundy Hotels purchased it in 2014 and rebranded it The Park House.
Now, local cinematographer-turned-publican Hanson has taken stewardship of the venue, reinstating legacy name ‘The Mona’ to reconnect the pub with its 1980’s era.
Hanson revamped the courtyard, beer garden and backyard with updated indoor and outdoor spaces, an additional children’s playground, a deck for live music, and a large screen for live sports. As a father of three, Hanson kept families in mind, and the backyard area features a custom-made playground with a slippery dip, swings, and climbing structure.
“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,” says Hanson.
Alongside the pub, Ben’s Bakery Café & Pizzeria will also be relaunched on the premises, serving artisanal baked goods, wood-fired pizzas and deli sandwiches. Ben’s Bakery is based on Hanson’s father’s shop of the same name, which was founded in 1977.
“For me, the biggest thing is bringing back ‘The Mona’ and ‘Ben’s Bakery Café.’ I want the pub to have that local, relaxed feel again. Both venues have been institutions on the beaches,” says Hanson.
Interiors are laid back and beachy, Australian artist Steve Gorrow pays homage to the local surfing culture with a mural of Simon Anderson surfing at North Narrabeen.
The new menu, developed by Hanson and the Laundy Hotels’ Group Head Chefs, will feature hero dishes including chargrill octopus with potatoes, herbs, roasted tomatoes, and jalapeño salsa; popcorn prawn tacos with avocado salsa, cabbage, and lime mayonnaise; and oven-baked salmon with chimichurri spice rub, blackened corn, tomato salsa, and salad.
Laundy Hotels has been in the news recently, after the group’s purchase of The Lord Nelson Hotel in The Rocks. The group owns a large number of Sydney’s iconic hotels, including The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Northies Cronulla, and the Woolly Bay Hotel.
The Mona will open from Friday 4 October. The pub’s front yard will be open Monday to Sunday, 10am – 3am. The garden bar will be open Sunday to Thursday, 12pm – 9pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am – 12am.
Ben’s Bakery Café is open daily 7am – 11.30am.
