Rock out to a band. Socialize with friends at the bar. Sit down to a casual dinner. Pick up a sandwich or pizza to go. This is possible at Monirae’s Casual Dining and Entertainment, which offers all of these options under one roof.

???Husband and wife team Paul and Kathy Meyers decided to open Monirae’s (named for their daughters Monica and Chelsea Rae) as they realized that they were starting to outgrow Gatherings, the bar they own in Phoenix. The couple envisioned a larger space that would serve many functions at the same time. The former Red Door North in Pennellville proved to be the place that would make this dream a reality. After extensive renovations and the aid of family and friends, Monirae’s opened its doors on December 15th to a crowd of nearly 700 people from the surrounding community.” Everybody we knew was down here helping – it was really heartwarming – without them it wouldn’t have happened,” Kathy says.

The Meyers asked local bands that often played at Gatherings to sign equipment and photographs for the new bar. Kathy told the musicians that “the décor will be about you and the bar will be decorated with your stuff, so that you feel comfortable coming in here.” Paraphernalia from area favorites such as One Hard Krank, Under the Gun, and The Bomb now adorn the textured coral-colored walls of the main bar. These autographed guitars, cymbals, and black and white pictures are dispersed among cozy wooden booths, a pool table, a dart board, and a large screen TV. An Internet Jukebox and an ATM operate on high-speed Internet, so service is fast and at your fingertips.
? Monirae’s will also be vending Quick Draw lottery tickets. Granite mosaic shelves of liquor, wine, and bottled beer perch behind the wrap around the matching granite bar top. And there are six beers on tap, including Yuengling, Ithaca Nut Brown, and Coors Light. A state of the art draught system cools the beer to 32 degrees before it is poured to ensure quality and freshness.
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Happy Hour, from 4 pm to 7 pm on week days, is generally the busiest time of day at Monirae’s. All drinks are 50 cents off and there are rotating daily Happy Hour food specials as well, such as $1 jumbo shrimp.
The main bar area opens into a large room with a stage, a sound booth, tables, and a back bar. People gather here on “band nights” to dance, listen to music, or watch stand-up comedy. Jake Morrison of the band One Hard Krank built the stage and a friend of Kathy’s carved two red Tiki statues that grace either side of it “to ward off the evil spirits,” she says.

Nearly every night of the week brings some form of entertainment to the bar. And there is always something happening on Friday and Saturday nights. Bands usually start playing at 10 or 10:30 pm so that people can still enjoy eating dinner and socializing beforehand. Musical acts range from oldies to metal to country. Every Thursday night, Brand New Joe plays at 9 pm and Steve Morgan performs acoustic country jam on Sunday nights.
Monirae’s will often have a comedy night on the weekend as well.
Now, on to the food. Monirae’s offers a casual dining room in the back of the building with an entrance on the opposite side of the bar for diners. This welcoming space has warm green walls and intimate wooden booths and tables with dim lighting. It provides a family atmosphere where people can comfortably eat a meal without realizing there is a bar next door, Kathy explained.

????The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers daily rotating specials. Prime Rib is the exception, as it is on special every Friday and Saturday evening. Customers can order from the main menu or from the offerings at the adjoining sandwich shop. Kathy describes the menu as “eclectic and home-style – serving a little bit of everything.” King Cameron’s Delmonico Steak, Baked Stuffed Haddock, and Chicken Marsala are some of the favorite items. The eatery also serves loaves of freshly baked Italian bread and homemade herb butter with each meal.
Dave, a regular at Gatherings and now at Monirae’s, says the restaurant has “good portions, decent prices, and excellent food quality.” And the sandwich shop next door is the perfect place to order a pizza, salad, or sandwich to go. Kids can pick up food without ever having to set foot in the bar area, says Kathy. “And we deliver on Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm within a 5 mile radius.”
Monirae’s also caters events with the option of a buffet-style meal, a-la-carte party platters, or sit-down dinners. The venue is available for banquets and private parties too. The bar recently hosted 200 people for their New Year’s Eve celebration and had a Super Bowl party with free draft beer from kickoff until the first point was scored. Monirae’s sponsors a pool team, has a pitch league, and is a popular spot to watch sporting events on the big screen TV.

On February 9th, the venue will put on a Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament. And on Valentine’s Day, the restaurant will offer a “Sweetheart Special” with a choice of Prime Rib, Surf and Turf, an Italian Platter, or Fettuccine Alfredo with Scallops followed by Crème Brulee for dessert.
Each couple will receive a mini-bottle of champagne on the house as well. “People from the community have come in, loved what they’ve seen, and thanked us for improving the area because they missed having a place they could come to nearby,” says Kathy. “Family and friends are the most important part of this experience and we want everyone to feel welcome.”
The Meyers family, locals, and regulars from Gatherings are excited about the new multi-purpose venue in the neighborhood and the upcoming events.
This eclectic spot near the Great Northern Mall offers something for people of all ages. Check out the Monirae’s MySpace page for an updated schedule of events.