The humble ‘bowlo’ is making a comeback in a sign of the times
The humble ‘bowlo’ is making a comeback as cost-of-living pressures and nostalgia entice customers through their doors.
Once on the brink of extinction, local bowlos are moving with the times to reach a new, younger clientele. While many are retaining their old-world charm, others are undergoing multimillion-dollar facelifts.
The redeveloped Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club, now known as The Willarong, is one of the Aussie bowlos adapting to the changing times. The Willarong
‘Bowlo’, short for bowling club, is a common Australian term for the establishments − the first of which opened in 1845 in Sandy Bay, Tasmania.
Starting as a place to play lawn bowls, they soon became social hubs for growing Aussie communities. But as times changed and lawn bowls became less popular, many venues found themselves struggling to stay afloat.
Research by the University of NSW released in 2022 found half of Sydney’s bowling clubs had closed in the past 40 years, from 210 in 1980 to 128 in 2022, with the biggest loss occurring in the 10 years up to 2022, when 51 closed.
As at 2022, there were 128 bowling clubs in Sydney, of which 96 were independent, while 28 had amalgamated with other clubs. Private or government agencies owned the remaining four.
The study’s co-author Professor Robert Freestone said those that survived did so by making significant changes to their operations, such as relaxing rules to bring in more social players, including the introduction of barefoot bowls, and reinventing themselves as more than just a bowling club − even embracing the term sports club.
Lead author Louis Heath said “the relaxed vibe and the affordable beer in an unpretentious setting” of a bowlo still resonated with Aussies, but clubs that continued to thrive had introduced live music and entertainment, and other measures to attract a more diverse crowd.
While some bowlos are heritage sites, many sit on prime real estate targeted by developers.
Some clubs have sold off land, while others are giving up the entire site in exchange for a newly developed club − complete with bowling greens.
Many bowling clubs have relaxed once strict rules to entice more people. The Willarong
New-look club
One club that did just that was Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.
The club, which opened in 1951 and was refurbished in 1970, was demolished and redeveloped at a cost of $70 million.
The mixed-use precinct features more than 240 apartments across three buildings, including an affordable housing component.
The ‘bowlo’ component, now known as The Willarong, opened in October 2025.
An aerial shot of the bowling greens at the new Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club. Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club.
It includes two new artificial bowling greens complete with premium LED lighting for night bowling, modern seating and shade structures, new scoreboards and a bistro complete with seating for about 400 both inside and out, the latter overlooking the bowling greens.
A section can be used to host functions for up to 120 people. There are also a children’s play area inside while dogs are welcome outside.
We are looking to cater for ... people from all walks of life. We say we are ‘a pub in a club skin’.
Ian Kirk is the club’s chief executive. He came on board 12 months before it reopened and told nine.com.au it had been embraced by the whole community, with patronage widening “organically”.
Membership has also risen dramatically, from about 500, of which about 80 were bowlers, before the redevelopment − to more than 5000 now just six months after reopening.
Kirk believes the club has been embraced by the community in part due to what it offers: excellent dishes at a reasonable price − something more important than ever given the tough economic times.
“People tend to be attracted to a club experience during tough times, as the outing is more than just a meal or a drink at great value,” he said.
Inside the new look Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club, known as The Willarong. Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club
“Our visitors are enticed by the experience their new local offers − we’re casual with good vibes, and great food and drinks.”
He said the club, which embraced the wider term ‘sports club’ when it reopened, caters to the whole community “from the very young to old”.
“It’s a community facility that is evenly split across all age groups and demographics,” he said.
“We are looking to cater for all age demographics and people from all walks of life. We say we are ‘a pub in a club skin’.”
Kirk said the menu featured club classics with a Mediterranean flair.
He said its chicken schnitzel was recently named the “second best in the Shire”. He is not sure who came first, but he promises they will beat them next time
The menu features club favourites with a Mediterranean flair. Caringbah Bowling & Recreation Club
A new winter menu will launch next week and includes their popular Sunday roast lunch or dinner and other winter favourites.
There are also $16 lunch specials Monday to Friday.
Knowing times are tough, they are about to introduce weeknight specials; kids will eat free on Mondays, Tuesday will be $15 pizza night while a curry night will be on Wednesdays.
You can grab a $6 schooner or glass of wine during happy hour from 4pm-6pm every Monday-Thursday.
Members also get a 10 per cent discount, and access to special deals.
The club gives back to the community by sponsoring the local Caringbah Redbacks football club and partnering with One Meal to provide meals to the needy on Mondays.
Six months on from the reopening, they continue to look for new ways to engage the community. The club’s version of barefoot bowls, called party bowls, is available via booking on Fridays and weekends.
Cronulla Sharks games and NRL games in general are always busy thanks to their sports club style big screens, but they are also looking to host FIFA World Cup watch parties.
Old-world charm
South Cronulla Bowling Club has hardly changed in decades. Facebook/@SouthCronullaBowlo
While The Willarong has all the bells and whistles of a new build, about five kilometres down the road you will find South Cronulla Bowling Club.
Despite having no fancy upgrades to entice visitors, it has managed to survive for 70 years.
Built in 1956, it has retained its original retro style but has enticed a broader clientele by introducing barefoot bowls, band nights, themed trivia nights (third Thursday of the month) and monthly line dancing. Every Friday features a ‘Club Grub’ night with a different theme.
It tops up its coffers by renting out the venue for weddings, engagement and birthday parties.
RSL resurgence
And it’s not just ‘bowlos’ getting a revamp. The local RSL club, often known affectionately as ‘the rissole’, are also getting overhauled.
Club Rose Bay in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is among the latest to get a facelift.
Club Rose Bay features an outdoor sports court where you can play pickleball or shoot some hoops. Instagram/@clubrosebay
A meal from Club Rose Bay's Notti's restaurant. Instagram/@clubrosebay
The club, which opened in 1947 before becoming an RSL club four years later, recently underwent its first upgrade since 1979 at the hands of Merivale’s Justin Hemmes.
He has transformed the club from a tired RSL to a hip establishment complete with outdoor sports court where you can play pickleball or shoot a few hoops.
Its reopening a few days before Christmas 2025 saw crowds line up around the block to get in.
There is a vinyl record bar that serves cocktails and a new upscale restaurant, Notti’s − but be warned, there’s not a schnitzel in sight.
