Bells 1950’s Milk Bar

Established in 1892, Bells is Australia’s oldest milk bar, and stepping inside is like stepping back in time to the 1950s and 60s.

In the early 1900s, the shop was known as Longmans and was run by John and Minnie Pearl (Pearly) Longman. After John’s death in the First World War, Pearly Bell remarried Les Bell Senior, and their son Les Bell and his wife Mavis became the proprietors that most people remember today.

Pearly Bell was responsible for a major expansion of the shop’s interior in 1938, which Les and Mavis later revamped in 1956, largely creating the design that still stands today.

One of the highlights of Bell’s Milk Bar is its extensive menu of more than 50 original recipe traditional drink flavors. These drinks are made using Bell’s own handmade syrups and cordials, which are manufactured onsite. From classic milkshakes to soda spiders, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Over the years, Bell’s Milk Bar has become a beloved local institution, and a favourite haunt of tourists from around the world. The interior of the milk bar is filled with vintage memorabilia, including old photos, signs, and advertisements, giving it a nostalgic charm that transports visitors back in time.