While the spear and quarterstaff do not have the Reach property they are both included in the Polearm Master feat. They also do 1d8 damage when wielded with 2 hands.

When I play a Monk character I often choose the spear as my main monk weapon and take the Polearm Master feat as soon as I am able.

As listed in the description of the Monk class, it is common for monks to have weapons that are variations of common weapons. If you are concerned that a spear is too plain then spend some time looking at the "spears" that have been used in Chinese traditions. You can come up with something very interesting and unique in appearance that is still mechanically a "spear."

While the spear and quarterstaff do not have the Reach property they are both included in the Polearm Master feat. They also do 1d8 damage when wielded with 2 hands.

When I play a Monk character I often choose the spear as my main monk weapon and take the Polearm Master feat as soon as I am able.

As listed in the description of the Monk class, it is common for monks to have weapons that are variations of common weapons.

Certain monasteries use specialized forms of the monk weapons. For example, you might use a club that is two lengths of wood connected by a short chain (called a nunchaku) or a sickle with a shorter, straighter blade (called a kama). Whatever name you use for a monk weapon, you can use the game statistics provided for the weapon in chapter 5,

If you are concerned that a spear is too plain then spend some time looking at the "spears" that have been used in Chinese traditions. You can come up with something very interesting and unique in appearance that is still mechanically a "spear."