Bells Milk Bar is Australia’s longest running milk bar still operating, and a Broken Hill icon where you can explore our fascinating social history and experience a rare insight into Australia’s unique milk bar and cafe culture. The original 1950’s decor, old style malted milks and soda spiders along with the attached milk bar museum and nostalgic gift shop has seen Bells recognised with multiple tourism awards and people often travel hundreds of miles just to get their hands on a Bells drink.
Visitors can have a similar experience at Bells today as they may have in the 1950s or 1960s. Imagine sipping a malted milk or traditional soda spider amidst the original chrome fittings and furniture while listening to the ‘latest’ 1950s music or reading a 1956 magazine.
The adventurous can choose from over 50 original flavours or drinks and they’re all made using Bells own handmade syrups and cordials manufactured to Les Bell’s Famous Secret Recipe in small batches right on the premises, just like they always have.
After your indulgence, check out the Milk Bar Museum where you can learn all about the fascinating world of Australia’s milk bars and cafes and gain a valuable insight into a part of our 20th century social history that has all but disappeared. It features a range of original Bells and other milk bar memorabilia and photos to browse.
There’s also some modern conveniences like organic single origin espresso coffee and a range of herbal teas. Customer facilities such as free wireless Internet, customer toilets means that visitors can hang around a while and soak up the atmosphere. https://www.bellsmilkbar.com.au/our-history/