Petersham Bowling Club

Was here last Sunday for impromptu bowls with a couple of the housemates. The main bowling green was all full, so we were relegated to the topside lawn upon which about a zillion kids were running amok. Honestly, it was bedlam. We were negotiating one kid in a miniature motorised lamborghini and another in a VW beetle (with hopeful entourage), general frolicking, hipster youths stopping between us and the jack to embrace and conversate, and about everyone under the age of eight at one point or another having a go at moving our balls or the jack. I was taking a turn at guarding our game and had one kid (my instant favourite) tell me he was going to be kicking a footy back and forth over me but not to worry, ’cause «I’ll yell ‘Heads!’ if it comes near you». For a kids party they were playing not-​horrible music. We made do with the bowls bench provided, but every other adult seemed to get the memo about BYO chairs. We were drinking jugs of Stone & Wood, and I had a vegetarian version of the firey mushroom (I forget the real name) pizza. It was decent enough if a bit pricey, and it was kind of hilarious to me because I would have killed for a bowl of chips (pub chips! lashings of tomato sauce!) but the adult menu seemed to be exclusively pizza. It probably doesn’t sound like I had a particularly good time, but I totally had a good time — the sun was out and I even managed to get all pink in the face somehow! and a mate of mine came along later with no intention to bowl and boy did he bowl. It was $ 10 per person for a set of bowls (with a $ 20 deposit to cover everyone) and we played game after game; I think we could have stayed there indefinitely, but it was way too chilly once the sun dipped behind the trees. Value for money! and a fun organic afternoon — my favourite kind.

I love this Bowlo and I want to have it’s babies or at least have my wedding reception here.
I do not know why Ive never been here before in my entire existence as an inner westie. I’m gald I have resolved this technical misdemeanor though.
The place is garlanded by fairy lights and rice paper lanterns inside.
You can play barefoot bowls until 9pm. — Try doing that at any other bowlo.
There’s an old school lino dance floor and a small stage where live and local gigs are always happening. Kids are welcome, and on the night I went there were groups of tweenie girls rocking out and dancin to the cool inde bands that were playing anything from covers of Rip tide to original hits like «going down the toilet» while their cool parents watched on and drank a few of their awesome selection of Craft beer.
That’s correct. Craft beer like Cold War. Feral Hog hop, I think was another and Hangman’s rope and they are only $ 5… FIVE BUCKS!!! and of course what piqued my interest was the cooper’s pale ale fairy lights hanging across the bar. too freakin rad.
Food. Most nights it’s very excellent Pizza. excellent excellent excellent.
If you book a gog there they have different menus. It all looks amazeballs.
Love love looove.

Petersham Bowling Club is hard to describe.
It’s ugly, run-​down and shabby (not in a chic way).
BUT
They have possibly the best range of craft beers on tap anywhere (and bottled) in the Inner West. It’s quite astounding. We are regulars here, because there are always new beers to try. And there’s actually nothing nicer on a lazy afternoon than sitting back in the sun on some crappy furniture, looking across the weed infested greens and sipping an amazing, cold beverage.
Seriously — If you like the idea of places like the Local Taphouse, but you hate the crowds and the astronomical prices you NEED to get yourself down to the PBC.
Also, they do live music, bistro food, barefoot bowls etc… but I can”t vouch for any of these. For me it’s all about the beer.

This is a great neighbourhood spot to have a beer, eat some pizza, and let your kids run all over during the day. At night, it transforms into one of the best live music venues in the city! The club also has neighbourhood events, such as Haloween and Christmas parties for kids; it also hosts private events such as birthday parties. It’s really a great little (pokie-​free!) family friendly place, and Petersham is lucky to have it. They are a non-​profit and genuinely aim to serve the community, so if you go and live within it’s ‘boundaries’, do your part and pay the very small ($ 10) annual membership fee — they’ll never ask you to prove you’re a member, but you’ll feel less guilty if you do!