The Brass Bell Restaurant was once a pavilion and pool

The building that is home to the Brass Bell Restaurants and Pubs today was built in Kalk Bay in 1939 and every so often the restaurant will offer a reminder of how the building’s facade and purpose has changed over the years.

Today, the restaurant has become a mainstay in the fishing village and is home to nine splendid venues. However, it started out as a council-run tea house in the thirties.

The restaurant shared another archival photograph on Thursday. January 28 of the building that was taken during the 1950s. During this period, the building was used as a bathing pavilion.

The upper-level depicted in the photograph is where the restaurant’s Cabin Grill and Cabin Bar is situated, while the concrete stairs seen is near the current entrance of the restaurant.

“If you look at modern photos of Brass Bell you will still be able to see this roof as part of the Bell,” read the Facebook post.

The monochromatic photograph evoked many fond childhood memories for many of the restaurant’s patrons in the comments, as many recalled that the building once hosted swimming lessons and galas for local schools.

“[I] remember having swimming lessons there as a kid,” commented one user. “The changing rooms downstairs always felt of Jays fluid.”

“I also had lessons there,” added another user. “Wow, we are talking a very long time ago. This is where I learnt to swim. [I] just love this pic.”

Picture: Facebook/Brass Bell Kalk Bay