1935: Britain's First Milk Bar Opens

Hugh Donald McIntosh, an Australian entrepreneur, opened Britain's first milk bar, the Black and White Bar, on August 1, 1935, in London. Previously facing bankruptcy, McIntosh sought to revive his fortunes with this innovative venture, which offered a variety of 50 non-alcoholic drinks, including malted milks and milk cocktails with unique names. The bar quickly gained popularity, attracting a diverse clientele and sparking a trend that led to the establishment of similar milk bars across the UK. Despite McIntosh's ambitious vision of expanding to 500 locations, his business ultimately failed in November 1938, and he passed away in financial ruin four years later. The milk bar craze, however, persisted in some areas, with groups like the Teddy Boys frequenting these establishments into the mid-1950s.

- Hugh Donald McIntosh opened the first British milk bar in 1935.

- The Black and White Bar offered 50 different non-alcoholic drinks.

- The concept quickly spread, leading to a nationwide trend.

- McIntosh's business failed in 1938, and he died broke in 1942.

- The milk bar culture continued to thrive in some regions into the 1950s.