Watsons Bay Milk Bar delivers old world charm with a modern twist

Sydney lays claim to being the home to the world’s first milk bar but Watsons Bay Milk Bar is one of a few still delivering this old world charm.

Georgina Brujic at the front of the Watsons Bay Milk Bar, one of few remaining milk bars in Sydney. Picture: Supplied.

What’s happened to the local milk bar?

Georgina Brujic doesn’t know, but she was determined to not it disappear.

Three years ago Brujic had retired from her corporate career, managing over 600 people. Along with her husband she’d sold her house in the eastern suburbs and was looking for a sea-change. Instead, she ended up buying the Watsons Bay Milk Bar, which has been open since the 60s.

“When we got the keys I said to my husband, “Holy %^*k! What the hell? I’m meant to be retiring,” she said.

“But I worked in my parents milk bar before and after school as a kid and they made it look easy.”

Watsons Bay Milk Bar is having a resurgence with customers loving the retro style store.

The Watsons Bay Milk Bar is one of few remaining even though it’s argued that Sydney was home to the world’s first milk bar.

In 1932, Greek migrant Joachim Tavalarides (who went by the name Mick Adams) set-up The Black and White Milk Bar in Martin place.

The formula, which was traditionally a place that sold milkshakes, lollies, fast food items and coffee, took over the country and the world.

But in recent years, they’ve been replaced by straight fast food restaurants.

However Brujic, whose European parents run a milk bar in the 80s, wasn’t about to let them die out.

Not in doing so, she’s developed a thriving business.

“They say that nostalgia warms the body and feeds the soul,” she says.

“We are surviving is because of the good will of local community. Seventy per cent of our profits come from locals.

“We have generations of locals who come in, great grandmothers, grandmothers, sons and daughters, children and grandchildren,” she said.

“Our coffee is good, our food is excellent, we are well priced but on top of that feel like they belong. They feel like they belong!”

Watsons Bay Milk Bar is running a promotion with Milkybar Biscoff that has delivered some delicious new treats. Picture: Supplied.

The Watsons Bay Milk Bar has now teamed up with, poetically, Nestle’s new Milkybar Biscoff chocolate bar. On Thursday August 1, the first 400 guests will enjoy a free specially crafted menu inspired by the chocolate bar including a milkshake, stuffed croissant, and hot chocolate.

Brujic said “Working with Milkybar Biscoff flavours to design this exclusive inspired menu made me think of the old bottles of milk and creamy milkshakes we used to ask mum for. The Milkybar Biscoff® Milkshake is our spin on a traditional favourite, creamy with subtle caramel hints that are sure to take you back to childhood.”

Brujic said while a corporate career and working in the Milk Bar is equally challenging and requires hard work, her work now is “more enjoyable.”

She says there are days when she still sees schoolchildren come into the shop and count their coins to see if they have enough money to buy their hot chips.

“I want my grandson growing up knowing that world exists.”

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