Lawn bowls is basically an Australian rite of passage. And, thanks to the invention of barefoot bowls and our undying love of life's simple pleasures (cold beer and bistro food), the era of the trusty bowlo is not over yet.
In recent years, Sydney's bowling clubs have undergone some pretty slick renovations, making them an ideal hangout spot for a session of lawn bowls or two. If you’ve never gone for a bowl yourself well, it’s cheap, it’s easy and it’s the perfect activity to go alongside a cold one with all your mates.
Here are all the best places to go barefoot bowling in Sydney.
Jump To:
- The Best Lawn Bowls In Sydney’s North
- The Best Lawn Bowls In Sydney’s East
- The Best Lawn Bowls In Sydney’s South
- The Best Lawn Bowl In Sydney’s West
The Best Barefoot Bowls In Sydney's North
The Greens North Sydney
50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Image credit: The Greens | Website
A few years after their big renovation, The Greens is still going strong and it’s only partly to do with the epic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you’re feeling competitive, try your luck at a 90-minute round of lawn bowls sans shoes, or if you’re more in the spectating mood, the food and drinks menu hits the mark every time. Sip on $15 margaritas, spritzes and martinis with the member-exclusive happy hour from 3pm–6pm on Saturday and enjoy live music every Sunday from 2pm–5pm.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members, $15 for under 18s
Warringah Bowls Mosman
74-82 Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Image credit: Warringah Bowls Mosman | Website
With views of the city skyline and a Swiss-inspired menu, Warringah Bowls in Mosman is a go-to bowlo for a good time. Enjoy in-game refreshments on the green including $7 schooners between 4pm–6pm Wednesday to Friday. There’s even kids glow-in-the-dark lawn bowls led by a host, keeping ‘em occupied while you sit back and demolish a club feed.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm
Cost: $25 per person
Rock ‘n Bowl at Manly Bowling Club
59 Raglan Street, Manly
Image credit: Rock 'n Bowl | Website
Roll into Rock ‘n Bowl at Manly Bowling Club for a dose of friendly competition with a side of cold tinnies. The 1 hour 45 minute lawn bowl sessions are great for all occasions, from casual weekend hangouts to bigger events like birthdays, hens, bucks and corporate team-bonding activities—especially since you can pre-order packed party platters.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Tuesday–Sunday, 11.30am–6.30pm
Cost: $29 per person
The Neutral Bay Club
3 Westleigh Street, Neutral Bay
Image credit: The Neutral Bay Club
The Neutral Bay Club is NSW’s oldest sporting club with 140 years on the books. It boasts six rinks of synthetic grass on its all-weather bowling green, allowing games to kick on rain, hail or shine. Each bowling rink has its own table with benches for cracking into a cold one or having a bite to eat between sets. The loaded bistro menu with pizzas from an on-site woodfire oven is guaranteed to hit the spot after two to three-hour sessions of lawn bowls.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Friday & Sunday from 10.30am, Saturdays from 12.30pm
Cost: $20 per person
Longueville Sporting Club
243 Longueville Road, Longueville
Image credit: Loungueville Sporting Club
Throw off your shoes and settle in for some much-needed fun in the sun at Longueville’s barefoot bowls (also known as "The Diddy"). This one is the perfect stop on a lazy afternoon where you don’t need to be a sporting aficionado to have a good time. And for only $10 per person to bowl for as long as you’d like—the possibilities are endless. You can also book out the entire top or bottom green for big events, Christmas parties, or birthdays too.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Sunday
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members
You might also like
The Best Barefoot Bowls In Sydney's East
Bondi Bowling Club
1A Warners Avenue, North Bondi
Image credit: Bondi Bowling Club
Bondi Bowling Club is an over-90-year-old institution that has welcomed a new generation keen to hit the bowling green and knock back beers in the sun. Unlike other bowlos who charge per head, the deal here is to split the cost of a game with up to ten mates per rink, or become a social member for $10 bowls. And with a menu stacked with shared plates plus your usual steak and schnitzel fare, Bondi Bowls may just be your new regular.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Sunday
Cost: $150 for 1 hour, $200 for 2 hours
Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club
1 Ocean Street, Clovelly
Image credit: Clovelly Bowling Club | Facebook
We’re calling it—this is the bowlo with the best view in Sydney, maybe even the whole state. You’ve probably seen your mates snap sweet pics at this iconic bowling location because the view involves uninterrupted ocean vistas from the cliffs of Clovelly. Clovelly Bowling Club is a go-to for social lawn bowls with two sessions in the morning and arvo. They even have an on-site bar and free-to-use BBQ where you can cook up your own meaty feast.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Sunday, from 11.30am
Cost: $25 per person
The Best Barefoot Bowls In Sydney's South
Gymea Bowls
691–699 Kingsway, Gymea
Image credit: Gymea Bowls | Website
For only $12 a punter, this barefoot bowlo has us hooked. Play a few rounds to determine the champ and head inside to the Gymea Grill for a solid steak dinner with some crispy fries. You know what to do team—it’s time to gather your crew. There’s even party food packages for your next event.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Sunday–Wednesday 10am–10pm, Thursday 10am–11pm and Friday–Saturday 10am–12am
Cost: $12 per person
South Cronulla Bowling Club
17 Chelmsford Avenue, Cronulla
A quick walk from the beach, South Cronulla Bowling Club is a great spot for a post-swim barefoot bowls session. Make sure you stop over on a Friday night for a food-filled Aussie lawn bowling sesh—no experience needed.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Fridays
Cost: $16.50 per person
Taren Point Bowling Club
203 Holt Road, Taren Point
Who can pass up the chance for a classic sausage sanga and barefoot bowls package? For only $20 per person, at Taren Point Bowling Club you and your mates can bowl in style with a sizzle awaiting your win (or loss). And if you’re keen to keep the good times rolling, there’s always something on at the club, from live music, trivia and poker nights to meat raffles, roast dinner specials and yum cha—Taren Point does it all.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Tuesday–Sunday, from 10am
Cost: $15 per person, $20 including a BBQ feed
The Best Barefoot Bowls In Sydney's West
Petersham Bowling Club
77 Brighton Street, Petersham
If you love barefoot bowls and craft beer more than life, Petersham Bowling Club is definitely the place for you. With a list of delicious craft brews like Young Henry’s, Grifter and Murray on tap, and an extra 50 bottles behind the bar, you can spend all afternoon winning at bowls and skilling up on Sydney's beer culture. This place is an institution for a reason people.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Tuesday–Thursday 4pm–6pm, Friday 2pm–6pm, Saturday–Sunday 12pm–6pm (plus 6pm-8pm daily during daylight savings)
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 for under 18 (accompanied by an adult)
Campbelltown Bowling Club
Browne Street, Campbelltown
Image credit: Campbelltown Bowling Club | Instagram
This lawn bowling club in Sydney’s West does things a little differently with a special glow-in-the-dark edition of the popular game. The happy hour deal is also incredible, with schooners of tap beer, cider and glasses of house wine for just $5 between 4pm–6pm Tuesday to Saturday. Plus grab a bite from the on-site Thai restaurant offloading classic starters, curries, soups, spicy salads, noodle dishes and stir-fried favourites, finishing with deep-fried ice cream for dessert.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Tuesday–Sunday
Cost: Regular lawn bowls are $15 per adult and $10 per child (under 17) for one hour, glow lawn bowls are $20 per adult and $15 per child for one hour
Marrickville Bowling Club
91 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
This bowlo in Marrickville hosts games on real grass and is set amongst Sydney’s best breweries, making it the perfect pre-game to a brewery-hopping hangout. After playing a round of lawn bowls, wrap up with a good-ol succulent Chinese meal and a schooner at The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre or stroll into Philter Brewing to try Aussie-themed cocktails at their Palm-Springs-inspired rooftop bar, both located just two-minutes walk from the bowling club—how good.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Sunday
Cost: $15 per person
Balmain Bowling Club
156 Darling Street, Balmain
Proud to be the oldest bowlo in NSW, these guys know the name of the game. Seven days a week, round up the troops for a guaranteed bonding session. Order from the bar so you can snack on some burgers while kicking some ass, or plan out your feed in advance with their events menu—which is stacked with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan-friendly options. Head there on Saturday and Sunday arvo for free live Blues music.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Thursday–Tuesday
Cost: $10 per person
Concord Bowling Club
1A Clermont Avenue, Concord
Image credit: Canada Bay Club | Facebook
Located within the Canada Bay Club and surrounded by parkland in Sydney's Inner West, Concord Bowling Club offers four-hour barefoot bowling sessions for just $12. When you're done, head inside for a feed from the cafe, Canada Bay Phoenix Chinese restaurant or Granata’s Italian-style brasserie.
THE DETAILS
When you can play: Monday–Sunday
Cost: $12 per person
Want more inspo? Check out
- Sydney’s Best Rooftop Bars Right Now
- The Best Bottomless Brunches In Sydney
- The Best Restaurants In Sydney
Main image credit: Bondi Bowling Club
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy, or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.