Lawn Bowls in Melbourne's Northern Suburbs

Lawn Bowls: What to Look For

Two long-standing clubs split the north's barefoot bowls between them, one on each side of the region. Preston Reservoir Bowls Club sits on Leamington Street in Reservoir beside Edwardes Lake Park, while Essendon Bowls Club, dating back to 1885, plays in the sports precinct on Raleigh Street in Essendon.

Both hand over the bowls, neither expects anyone to have played before, and both have a licensed bar and a function room for when the afternoon turns into a party.

Choosing between the two clubs:

Greens – three grass greens at Preston Reservoir, two at Essendon
Function space – Preston Reservoir's clubrooms seat up to 150 with a dance floor; Essendon's room seats 100 or more and has a sound system and AV gear
Food – both have BBQs and a commercial kitchen; Essendon lets hosts cook or bring a caterer of their choice
Coaching – free Sunday morning coaching at Preston Reservoir from 10am to 12pm; Essendon coaches new and experienced bowlers
Price – bowls at Preston Reservoir start from $15 per person

Either club suits a team day, a birthday or a family get-together that wants an outdoor game first and a room to gather in after.

Small crews of up to six pay per head at Preston Reservoir, and groups of up to ten can hire a lane outright
Children under ten bowl at a lower rate at Preston Reservoir with an adult beside them
Essendon can add barefoot bowls to any function booked at the club, handy for staff parties and team-building
Essendon also runs a four-week Wednesday evening social competition for community teams

When the game becomes a function

Preston Reservoir hosts birthdays, engagements, Christmas parties and corporate events, with a dedicated venue manager
Essendon's older-style room can be set up however the host likes, with a bar tab option and an outdoor deck
Off-street parking at both – about 70 cars at Preston Reservoir
Essendon puts on monthly Sunday afternoon live music, ticketed in advance

Lawn Bowls FAQs

Which northern bowls club has more greens?

Preston Reservoir Bowls Club has three grass greens; Essendon Bowls Club has two on Raleigh Street. Both supply the bowls.

Can we hold a party after barefoot bowls?

Yes, at either club. Preston Reservoir's clubrooms seat up to 150 with a dance floor and kitchen, and Essendon's function room seats 100 or more with a licensed bar, kitchen, BBQs and AV.

Can we bring our own caterer?

Essendon Bowls Club's commercial kitchen can be used by the host or an outside caterer. At Preston Reservoir, talk to the venue manager about catering for a function.

Is coaching available for first-timers?

Preston Reservoir's accredited coaches offer free coaching on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12pm, and Essendon offers coaching to new and experienced bowlers.

Lawn Bowls in Northern Suburbs

Weigh Up Your Lawn Bowls Options in Northern Suburbs