Old Joe’s is a new bar and American diner inspired eatery on Cronulla Beach. Old Joe’s, was named after the old milk bar that everyone from the area remembers – covered in old advertising and run by Joe. The Society Inc wanted to create a relaxed and bright place to hang out, straight from the beach with a sand on your feet feel. The bar is located directly across the road from the beach, and The Society Inc designed it as an extension of bringing the outside, in.

The Society Inc’s Sibella Court delved into her own upbringing of beach culture in the 1970’s; striped umbrellas, washed out okanui boardies, tasseled terry toweling and ice cream from the milk bar at the end of a salty day meets the candy sorbet colours of Florida keys.

Sibella Court worked with a talented team of builders, sign writers, blacksmiths, furniture makers, dyers, and print makers to create a detailed space that reveals both the history and legacy of Cronulla and universal seaside cultures.

 After researching the local surf and social history, Old Joe’s milk bar appeared time and time again, namely some great social photographs of the exterior by John Veage. Sibella Court used elements and finishes reminiscent of milk bars, such as terrazzo bar tops, soft sorbet colours, striped awnings and hand painted signage.

Much of her inspiration can be seen in the details; the recycled timber floor pays homage to coastal boardwalks, lighting made from vintage beach chair strapping, hand painted ping pong table, custom table tops and fabrics with colour blocking and colour palettes that reference faded surfboards & board short colours.