May 1, 2018 – Staff is being trained and beer taps are getting installed in a last minute push to get Pacific Grove’s first ever pub open by early next week. The Monarch Pub on the corner of Lighthouse Ave and 17th St. is a British-style pub owned by Birmingham-native Paul Whitecross, who also owns the Britannia Arms in Monterey.
“We just got the Guinness tap working and we’re going to have eight beers in bottles from across the pond,” Whitecross says. Another six taps will offer locally-produced Mad Otter Ale, Ratel Cider and more.
While details of the opening menu are still being worked out, Whitecross says they will serve “good pub comfort food” similar to fare served at Britannia Arms, which has a big menu that includes fish and chips, soups, salads, shepherd’s pie and a variety of curries.
Two TV’s are already in place and tuned to sports. “We just want it to be a place where people can come down and hang out and watch the game,” he says.
The name of the pub has a double meaning. It’s a nod to the Queen of England and also to Pacific Grove, sometimes known as Butterfly Town USA because of its Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary—where millions of butterflies cluster every winter.
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At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
