Barefoot Bowls FAQs


For first timers

What is barefoot bowls?

It’s like lawn bowls, but with fewer rules, more laughs, and no need for fancy shoes. It’s a relaxed version of the classic game.

Do I actually have to be barefoot?

Not at all! You can play barefoot bowls in flat-soled shoes (sneakers are fine). Just leave the high heels, football boots, or steel-capped work boots at home.

Is bowls just for oldies?

Certainly not! We welcome bowlers of all ages – whether you’re young (as long as you are over 12 years), old, or somewhere in between. If you can roll a bowl, you’re in the club! Age is just a number, but a good bowl is forever.

I’ve never played before. Is that a problem?

Not at all! Most people haven’t. We’ll give you a quick introduction, and you’ll be rolling bowls like a pro (or at least pretending to) in no time.

How do you play?

The goal is simple: roll your bowl closer to the small white ball (the jack) than your opponents do. That’s it! Well, sort of. We’ll explain more when you arrive.

How long does a game take?

A typical session lasts two to three hours, which is plenty of time for some friendly competition and a few rounds of drinks.

I’ve never played, will someone be able to help me?

Absolutely! Our friendly staff (and probably a few self-appointed experts at the bar) will be more than happy to show you the ropes. We’ll have you rolling bowls like a pro in no time – or at least looking the part while having a laugh! 

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, bookings are essential – especially on weekends and for bigger groups.

Just use our bowls booking form – not over the phone as we want to get everything in writing!

Do we also need to book seating?

Nope, we’ve got you covered! You’ll be allocated seating adjacent to the green, so you can focus on your game and leave the seating arrangements to us – no awkward “where do we sit?” moments here!

Can kids play barefoot bowls?

Yes, kids aged 12 and over are welcome to play (as long as they have adult supervision), but under 12s will need to stick to cheering duties from the sidelines. And please, no running on the greens—it’s bowls, not a sprint race!

Can kids run on the greens?

Hell no! We need everyone to be respectful of the greens and the players. Plus, if they get hit by a bowl… well, let’s just say, we won’t be responsible for any unexpected bowling experiences!

Is barefoot bowls good for team building?

Absolutely! Nothing says “team bonding” like competing to see who can get closest to a small white ball.

Is barefoot bowls good for parties and functions?

Heck yes! We’ve hosted engagement parties, post-wedding recoveries, birthdays, anniversaries, surprise parties, and even baby showers. Nothing says “party” like rolling a bowl while barefoot—because who needs fancy shoes when you’re busy having a blast with friends, family, and maybe a few questionable bowling techniques?

Can I just watch and not play?

Sure. Cheer on your mates, enjoy a drink, and heckle (nicely, of course).

Do I have to be a member to play?

Nope. Everyone is welcome, but if you come often, membership has perks.

I’m still unsure… should I try barefoot bowls?

YES! It’s fun, easy to learn, and a great way to enjoy a sunny day with friends, food, and drinks. What’s not to love?

Food and drinks

Can I drink while playing?

Absolutely! We encourage responsible drinking, and our bar is fully stocked with beer, wine, and spirits. However, please keep your drinks off the greens – spilled beer doesn’t improve the game (we’ve tested this).

Can I bowl while holding my drink?

Unfortunately no. Multitasking is tricky, and we’d rather you keep your drink upright and focus on your bowling.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Nice try! But no. We’re a licenced venue, so all drinks must be purchased from the club.

Can we bring our own food?

Nope – sorry! We have a bistro on-site, so no outside food or drinks are allowed. But don’t worry, we have plenty of great options, including our famous wood-fired pizzas and a delicious catering menu.

Can we stay and drink after we play?

Of course! Our bar and bistro are open, so why rush off?

Do you have catering?

Absolutely! Our in-house caterers, Lusso Kitchen, take care of all the catering, including our famous wood-fired pizzas that are so good, even the bowls might get jealous. From snacks to full meals, we’ve got your hunger covered while you focus on rolling those perfect shots!

Can we start a bar tab?

Definitely! You can start a tab for any amount – just visit the bar when you arrive. We don’t do drinks packages, but trust us, starting a tab is way more fun! It’s like a mystery box – you never know what’s coming next, but it’s always something you’ll want!

Make sure to spell out what’s included – house beers and wines = yes, shots and spirits = nope! That way, we can hand out wristbands to those in your party, so they can flash it at the bar and keep the drinks flowing (within reason, of course!).

Can I bring a cake?

Yes, please bring a celebratory cake! We charge no “cakeage” – because who would charge for cake? And we can also supply cutlery and plates, so no one ends up with cake in their hands (unless they want to).

When things don’t go according to plan

What if I accidentally throw my bowl onto another rink?

It happens. Just apologise, laugh it off, and try again. No bowl-shaming here.

What happens if it rains?

Bowls is an outdoor sport, and while we’d love to control the weather, we haven’t quite mastered that skill yet! If it’s light rain, we still play on—just bring a rain jacket and embrace the challenge! If the weather is really bad, we’ll work with you to reschedule or offer a refund.

We’ll try to wait it out, but if the weather is too bad, we can reschedule (or refund any money paid). The bar will still be open, though, so your trip won’t be wasted!

If we are rained out, what are the back up options?

We have plenty of indoor options to keep you entertained. Our clubhouse offers a comfortable space where guests can relax, enjoy food and drinks, and make use of our indoor facilities. While we don’t have dedicated indoor games, feel free to bring some entertainment such as trivia or card games to keep the fun going. Plus, our bar and dining area provide a great atmosphere for catching up while staying dry.

What happens if we cancel our booking?

Life happens! If you cancel with at least 7 days’ notice, we’ll happily refund your deposit. If it’s within 7 days, the deposit is non-refundable—but you can reschedule for another date.

What if we’re running late?

No stress—it happens! But your booking time doesn’t shift, so if you arrive late, you’ll just have less time to play. Aim to get here 15 minutes early to maximise your time on the greens.

What if we don’t show up?

We’d be sad, but your deposit would be even sadder – it’s non-refundable for no-shows. If something comes up, just let us know in advance so we can work something out!

Costs

How much does it cost?

Barefoot Bowls is just $20 per person, which includes all the equipment, green fees, and a quick how-to session.

Do we need to pay a deposit for our booking?

Yes – if you have 10 or more players, we require a $200 deposit to secure your rink/s. This ensures you’re not left scrambling for space on the day when you could be focusing on the important things, like perfecting your bowling stance and deciding who’s buying the next round!

You can use the $200 deposit towards the cost of bowls or drinks on the day (sorry, no food though), or we can refund it afterwards, you’ll just have to wait a few days for the process to work its magic!

What if we have less than 10 players?

No deposit needed (unless it is in December when it would be $200 per rink for less than 10 players). When you arrive, head straight to the bar, pay the $20 per player (your ticket to glory) and off you go!

What happens in December?

During December, when fewer than 10 people show up, the minimum charge is $200 per rink.

When 10 or people are bowling, it is the usual $20 per player.

What if we have more than 20 players?

For groups of 20 or more, we’ll send you a payment link to cover the remaining players a week beforehand. This way, your day will be smooth, fun, and completely stress-free – no awkward “Who still needs to pay?” conversations while everyone is already halfway through their drinks!

What happens if not everyone plays or turns up?

No worries! If you’ve paid for a certain number but a few don’t show up, we’ll either credit the difference to the bar (because who doesn’t love more drinks?) or refund it. We’re flexible, so no one leaves empty-handed—except maybe the bowlers who don’t show up!

What if we don’t want to pay the balance upfront?

That’s totally fine but we can’t guarantee you the number of rinks you want. So if you have 30 people booked but only enough rinks for 20, some of your group may have to become professional cheerleaders instead of bowlers. Choose wisely!

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards, and yes – even AMEX (though beware of those sneaky fees!). If you’re a corporate group, we can also send an invoice to keep the finance department happy. Just let us know what works best for you!

Can we book without paying a deposit?

For groups of 10 or more, we do require a $200 deposit to secure your booking. Without it, we can’t guarantee your rinks, and you might find yourself watching from the sidelines instead of playing!

Can we extend our booking on the day?

If we have space, absolutely! Just check with the team on the day, and we’ll do our best to keep the fun rolling.

Numbers and teams

How many rinks do you have?

First things first, a bowls rink is the flat, smooth area where all the magic happens—basically, it’s where you try not to roll your bowl into the neighbour’s space (unless you’re feeling extra competitive). We’ve got between 5 and 6 rinks, depending on how busy we are.

How many people can play at once?

We can accommodate groups big and small. Let us know in advance so we can allocate the right number of rinks.

Will someone be managing our group and organising us into teams?

Yes! Our friendly bowls coordinator will give you a quick rundown of the rules and help organise teams if needed. If you already have teams sorted, even better – but if not, we’ll make sure everyone gets involved.

How many people can typically play on a rink?

Each rink can comfortably accommodate 8 to 20 players. If you have a larger group, we’ll allocate multiple rinks to keep the game flowing smoothly. If you’re unsure, just let us know your numbers when booking, and we’ll sort it out!

What is the maximum number of people who can play at the same time?

We can accommodate up to 200 people playing together – so, yes, it’s basically a lawn bowling flash mob!

Can I have exclusive use of the greens?

Absolutely! We recommend exclusive use for groups of 120 players or more. After all, the greens are big enough for a crowd, but small enough for that “VIP” feeling!

Equipment

Do I need to bring my own bowls?

Nope! We provide everything you need – just bring yourself and a good attitude.

Can I bring my own bowls?

Of course. If you have your own bowls, feel free to bring them along. Otherwise, we provide everything you need.

Looking fabulous

What should we wear on our feet?

Casual and comfy! Flat-soled shoes or bare feet are required on the greens—so leave the high heels, heavy boots, and golf spikes at home.

What should I wear above the feet?

Casual clothes are fine. Just make sure you’re comfortable and can move freely. No need for white uniforms – unless you’re trying to impress (just no singlets – no muscle Ts boys)

Can we play in fancy dress?

Absolutely! We love a good theme—just make sure your costumes don’t damage the greens (so maybe leave the stiletto heels and superhero capes at home).

Party time questions

Can we play music?

We have background music playing but because we are in a residential area, we restrict music to the balcony area only.

We don’t allow outside music when on the greens.

Can we bring decorations for a party?

Sure! Feel free to bring balloons, table decorations, or small signage—just nothing that will blow away and end up in someone’s drink. No confetti or glitter though (we’re still finding pieces from a party last year!).