Petersham Bowling Club
ProHighlights
- Barefoot bowls on a heritage green, Tuesday to Sunday, open to the public
- Bowls, a quick how-to sheet and a drinks table at the end of every rink
- Community-run, pokie-free club with a bistro and live music on two stages
About Petersham Bowling Club
Petersham Bowling Club has been part of the inner west since 1896 and is run by its community rather than private owners. It removed its poker machines in 2007 and rebuilt itself around bowls, live music, the arts and a busy calendar of local events, from line dancing to author nights. The lower green, laid in 1920, is where the bowling happens, and it stays open to the public all year. Barefoot bowls runs Tuesday to Sunday in two-hour sessions from 11am, with extra early-evening slots during daylight saving and a late session in high summer. Each rink comes with a set of bowls, a simple one-page guide to the rules and a small table at the end of the lane for drinks and food, and a lane suits up to 10 people. Bare feet or flat soles are required. The person making the booking needs to join the club, which costs a few dollars for an annual social membership. If rain washes out the game, you can move the date or take the deposit as bar credit. Food comes from the Grange Gully Bistro, which is independently run and offers catering; the club also has a weekday lunch and bowls package, and groups of more than 20 are asked to pre-order at peak times. The club also has function packages that include use of the stage, the dance floor and the house sound system, although exclusive hire is not offered. The club does not host bucks, hens, 18th or 21st parties, or children's parties inside, and no BYO drinks or food are allowed apart from a celebration cake.
Inclusions & amenities
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What's Included
Frequently asked questions
How much does barefoot bowls cost?
Rink hire is $10 for each adult and $5 for under-18s, who must be with an adult. A $50 deposit holds each lane of up to 10 people.
Do we need to be members to bowl?
The person who makes the booking must join the club once it is confirmed. Annual social membership is $5 and can be done online or at the bar.
What should we wear on the green?
Bare feet or flat-soled shoes only. Heels are not allowed on the bowling green, so bring comfortable footwear or plan to go barefoot.
Can we bring our own food or a cake?
Only a celebration cake; no other outside food or drinks are allowed. The bistro can keep a cake in its cool room, but bring your own candles, knife, plates and serviettes.
Can the club host a bucks party or 21st?
No. The club does not take bookings for bucks, hens, 18th or 21st parties, and it does not host children's parties inside, though kids can bowl with an adult.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
George Fedorowicz
2 months ago
What a great find! This small Bowling Club just near Petersham railway station is brilliant. First time here. The Barmaid Nina and Events Manager Hayley were so friendly and couldn't do more for me and my mate Andy. Had…
Alison Orme
4 months ago
I had my Big 0 birthday party at the Bowlo and it was perfect. 100 people, bands, acts, catering at a reasonable price and what a line up on the taps! Thank you to the PB and staff for providing community with this kind…
Elise Toyer
6 months ago
Had a really lovely time at PBC with my cousins for a family get together. Great price on drinks and snacks (got a few plates of hot chips to share) and was a really reasonably priced way for 8 adults to have a couple of…
Heather Doran
a year ago
Damn delicious! Can't believe I hadn't been here before. 10/10 warm friendly atmosphere, the staff are ALL outstanding, food is so good and great pricing. Looks like original decor but that just adds to the great vibe h…
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