From TV Screens to Bar Scenes: Sarah Monahan's New Venture
Sarah Monahan, who captured hearts as Jenny in the iconic 1980s Australian sitcom Hey Dad..!, has embarked on a fresh career path far from the glitz of television. The former child star, who celebrated her 49th birthday recently, has proudly taken ownership of Honey Rider, a trendy nightspot located on Sydney's bustling north shore in Neutral Bay.
A New Chapter Behind the Bar
Photographs have surfaced showing Sarah Monahan confidently positioned behind the bar at Honey Rider, marking a significant shift from her days on one of Australia's most beloved sitcoms. In these images, she sports a casual yet stylish ensemble of blue jeans paired with a lacy grey Henley shirt, accessorised with a braided belt and dangle earrings. Her flattering cropped hairstyle adds a modern touch, though her familiar smile remains a constant from her acting years.
Another snapshot, shared by the local news hub Mosman Collective, depicts Sarah pulling a schooner of ale, fully immersed in her new role as a bar owner. The Instagram post also included a nostalgic throwback picture of Sarah as a youngster with pigtails, highlighting the stark contrast between her past and present.
Finding Happiness After Hardship
Sarah Monahan officially assumed ownership of Honey Rider on April 12, coinciding with her birthday. In a heartfelt interview following the acquisition, she reflected on the traumatic abuse she endured from her Hey Dad..! co-star, Robert Hughes. "After all that I’ve been through, I’ve found my happy place again," she expressed. "I hope everyone can come and find their happy place at Honey Rider, too."
Her decision to purchase the bar was encouraged by her husband, Matt Morris, who told her, "You deserve this." After two decades living in the United States, Sarah returned to Australia in 2022 and now resides in Mosman, conveniently close to her new establishment on the busy Military Road.
Plans for the Future and a Painful Past
Sarah Monahan has ambitious plans for Honey Rider, which has served as a local hotspot for 15 years. She intends to install studio space within the venue where "creatives" can produce podcasts and videos, aiming to foster a community hub.
However, her journey to this point has been marred by dark chapters. Sarah was one of ten individuals who accused Robert Hughes of molesting them as children during their time on Hey Dad..!. While allegations against Hughes emerged in the 1990s, it was Sarah's paid television interview in 2010 that ignited a comprehensive police investigation into the actor's sexual misconduct.
In 2014, Robert Hughes was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for ten child sex charges. He played Sarah's on-screen father from 1987 to 1994, with Sarah joining the cast at just six years old. Hughes, who has renounced his Australian citizenship, was released on parole in 2022 and deported to the United Kingdom, where he remains with his wife, Robyn Gardiner, at age 77.
Sarah Monahan detailed the abuse she suffered in her emotional 2016 memoir, Allegedly, underscoring the resilience that has led her to this new chapter as a bar owner, embracing a fresh start in Sydney's vibrant nightlife scene.
