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The Mona’s had a makeover, and it’s exactly what The Beaches ordered – cold beers, live music, a legit playground, and that easy, laid-back vibe we all grew up with. Local publican Ben Hanson is behind the reboot, and he’s all about bringing back the community spirit, good food, and weekend chaos (the fun kind). And the best bit? The kids will be too busy playing to ask for your phone.
By the time you’ve finished a cold beer in the garden or watched your kids conquer the new playground, you’ll get it. The Mona isn’t just a pub. It’s a vibe, a hangout, and a place you feel at home any day of the week. And that’s exactly how Owner and publican Ben Hanson likes it.
“I wanted to take it back to what we all remember,” Ben says, perched under the sails outside The Mona Vale Hotel. “That old-school community feel. A place where families come for lunch, mates meet over trivia, and live music fills the weekends.”
Since taking over the venue in October 2023, Ben has been on a mission. Together with his uncle, hospitality icon Arthur Laundy, Ben is reimagining what a local pub can be. Gone is the Park House name, replaced with The Mona, a nod to the venue’s nostalgic roots. “It’s the great Mona pub we all grew up with,” Ben says. “We’ve just given it a fresh edge.”
And what an edge it is. From the turf-covered beer garden to the state-of-the-art kids’ playground (complete with slides, shade sails, and even Nintendo Switches inside), The Mona is now a full-blown destination for young families, foodies, and live music lovers alike.
Ben didn’t start out in hospo. For over 21 years, he was a globe-trotting cameraman. “My kids don’t know me as a cameraman,” he laughs. “It’s weird but also kind of cool.” Parenthood sparked a pivot, and before long, he found himself the proud owner of the Tea Gardens Hotel in Hawks Nest. It was there that he had a lightbulb moment: family-friendly pubs work, and everyone needs them.
“We had a playground at Tea Gardens, and families just loved it. That stuck with me,” he says. “I wanted to bring that energy back to The Beaches.” So when the opportunity came to breathe new life into The Mona Vale Hotel, Ben took the leap. It was also a way to reconnect with his own roots. Born and raised on The Beaches, Ben is a local through and through. “Mum lived in Dee Why, and Dad was up in Bilgola. I’ve always been around here.” Now living in Balgowlah with his wife and three young sons (aged 9, 6, and 4), he’s relishing the opportunity to shape a venue that works for both fun and families.
Live Beats, Little Feet and Bakery Treats
Under Ben’s direction, The Mona has become a thriving hub again. Tuesday trivia is packed. Monthly themed Thursday trivia nights are a hit. Mona Fridays, a cheeky revival of the beloved Mona Thursdays, are drawing a fresh crowd of DJs and dancers. And Saturdays? That’s where Ben gets excited.
“We’re building the live music scene back up with Mona Live Sessions. There’s been a real hunger for it on The Beaches. We’ve had The Grogans, The Terrys, with more coming through, and we’re working with an architect to reopen the band room next year.”
The Mona is also proudly backing the next generation by sponsoring the Mona Vale Raiders and North Narrabeen Boardriders, and Ben was the brains behind the East Coast Invitational – an epic surf contest at Narrabeen.
And then there’s Ben’s Bakery. If you were kicking around The Beaches in the ’80s or ’90s, the name probably rings a bell. Ben’s dad ran the iconic bakery on the Corso in Manly and later in Avalon. “We’ve reopened the bakery here at The Mona as a tribute to Dad,” Ben says. “It’s like going back to the future, proper Beaches nostalgia with a modern twist.” The bakery officially reopens on weekends in September, serving up fresh pastries, good coffee, and that warm familiarity locals still remember.
If the live music and Friday night DJs aren’t your scene, no stress. Sundays are all about the kids. From face painting to petting zoos (mark your calendars for June 15, July 20, August 24, and September 28), there’s always something fun going on.
“We wanted Sundays to be a day the whole family looks forward to. Have a feed, and let the kids run wild. What’s not to love?” While the kids hang out in the playground or gaming corner (yep, they’ve got chalkboard walls and Nintendo Switches), parents can relax with elevated pub fare and local craft beers. Think gastro-pub classics with a coastal twist.
The Mona’s revival is more than a business story. It’s a family story. A community story. A love letter to The Beaches from someone who knows it intimately.
“I just want to give people a place they can come back to, week after week, year after year,” Ben says. “Whether you’re chasing good music, great food, or just somewhere the kids can play while you have a drink, The Mona is your spot.”
From the revamped playground to the return of Ben’s Bakery, The Mona is proof that sometimes the best way forward is to take a little trip back.
