Lawn Bowls in the Inner West

Lawn Bowls: What to Look For

Bare feet, a drink within arm's reach and a community club behind the green: that is the Inner West take on lawn bowls, and the clubs differ more in what surrounds the rink than in the game itself.

Petersham Bowling Club on Brighton Street has been run by its community since 1896, bowls on a lower green laid in 1920 and starts from $10 per person. Leichhardt Bowling Club, known locally as the Bowlo, sits on Piper Street in Lilyfield, where 90-minute sessions cost $15 per person and a large dog-friendly beer garden faces the sunset.

Choosing a green:

A crowd of 20 or more: in Lilyfield, the pair of rinks beside the beer garden can be booked for a flat fee, with no cap on who takes a turn but no more than 20 on the green at once
A group of ten or so: a Petersham lane suits up to 10 people, with bowls, a one-page rules guide and a drinks table at the end
A longer game: Petersham sessions run two hours from 11am, Tuesday to Sunday, with extra early-evening slots during daylight saving
Complete beginners: the Bowlo gives first-timers a run-through of the game and some free coaching
Music after bowls: Petersham's pokie-free clubhouse has live music on two stages

The kind of party matters as well. Petersham doesn't host bucks, hens, 18th or 21st parties, or children's parties inside, while bowlers in Lilyfield must be 16 or older.

Petersham's Grange Gully Bistro is independently run and offers catering, and groups over 20 pre-order at peak times
A weekday lunch and bowls package is on offer at Petersham
In Lilyfield, the Blue Ribbon Bistro serves pub classics and the LilyFields gin bar opens on weekends
A bowls booking at the Bowlo doesn't hold a table, so reserve the beer garden, kids' corner or clubhouse separately

House rules on the green

Bare feet or flat soles are required at Petersham and Lilyfield alike
The person booking at Petersham joins the club on an annual social membership costing a few dollars
Rain at Petersham means a new date or the deposit as bar credit; in Lilyfield a washed-out session is refunded in full
Glass stays off the Lilyfield green, and Petersham allows no BYO food or drinks beyond a celebration cake

Lawn Bowls FAQs

How much is barefoot bowls in the Inner West?

Petersham Bowling Club starts from $10 per person for a two-hour session. Leichhardt Bowling Club charges $15 per person for 90 minutes, with coloured bowls provided.

Can we hold a bucks or hens party at the bowls?

Petersham Bowling Club doesn't host bucks or hens parties. Leichhardt Bowling Club takes big groups on the rinks by its beer garden and can cater a table booking, subject to a minimum spend.

Is there a function room for a bigger event?

Leichhardt Bowling Club's auditorium has full AV and a stage and holds 130 seated or 180 all up. Petersham's function packages include the stage, dance floor and house sound system, though exclusive hire isn't offered.

Are the bowling clubs open to the public?

Yes. Petersham's lower green stays open to the public all year, with the booker joining as a social member, and the Bowlo in Lilyfield is a community club taking bookings for barefoot bowls.

Lawn Bowls in Inner West

Weigh Up Your Lawn Bowls Options in Inner West