After weeks of long lunches and late nights, we’re all a little over partying – but not ready to become total hermits. Enter the best bowls clubs on the Gold Coast: laid-back, outdoorsy and social without the late nights, they’re the perfect way to see out the rest of summer.
Club Broadbeach
You’ve definitely driven past it, but have you ever kicked your shoes off and hit the green? Barefoot bowls here is $10 per person for two hours, Tuesday to Sunday, with four floodlit championship greens that can host big groups with ease. Add finger food, BBQ options and classic pub drinks, and you’ve got an ideal reunion spot – plus, it’s dog friendly.
Burleigh Bowls
An icon for good reason. Barefoot bowls are $5 on weekdays and $10 Friday to Sunday, with beach views, big greens and a soundtrack of crowd-pleasing hits. Don’t miss ‘Bowls, Beats & Brews’ on the last Sunday of each month, with DJs, cocktails and an outdoor bar.
Cooly Bowls Club
A laid-back favourite near the border, offering barefoot bowls from 10am daily (except Mondays). It’s $5 for non-members plus a $10 green fee, with easy online bookings. Stick around for live music on Fridays and Sundays, and dinner at on-site Chinese restaurant Feng Shui.
Club Mermaid
Perfect for first-timers, Club Mermaid keeps things fun and fuss-free with staff on hand to help you get started. Expect natural grass greens, a fully outdoor setup and a classic bowls-club vibe. Bowls cost $7 on weekdays and $10 Friday to Sunday, with themed platters available.
Tugun Bowls Club
Community-minded and effortlessly cool, Tugun Bowls shines on Sundays with barefoot bowls, rotating street-food trucks and live music. The garden bar pours craft beers, spritzes and cocktails, with bowls priced at $15 per rink. Family-friendly, welcoming and perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
www.tugunbowls.com.au
Club Musgrave
Formerly Musgrave Hill Bowls Club, this Southport institution has been delivering good times for over 60 years. Barefoot bowls are $10 per person across three greens, with a fully licensed clubhouse and regular events like trivia nights and live music making it an easy crowd-pleaser.
www.clubmusgrave.com
Club Helensvale
Modern, polished and group-friendly, Club Helensvale offers tailored catering packages for everything from birthdays to corporate events. Barefoot bowls run at $10 on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, with bookings essential. As they say themselves: lawn bowls, redefined.
