Genuine 1972 prices

The phrase ‘a day on the greens’ may conjure one of the following images for you: golfing, salad eating on a diet, drinking only VB/ green Coopers beer or maybe just smoking plenty of dope on the couch. There is another way to have a day on the greens and it can combine all of the above…barefoot bowls. You have the green lawns of golf, the BBQ with salad, plenty of drink and .....a relaxed atmosphere.

Barefoot Bowls is just lawn bowls (without the shoes and white clothing), but it’s also one of the best ways to meet the locals, have a drink, enjoy the sun and anyone can play. Think of it as the difference between test match cricket and pyjama cricket.

There are some greens with great views in Sydney (Clovelly), but my local ‘bowlo’ in Coogee is the best. Apart from having plenty of bowling talent, it has the cheapest beers in the Sydney’s Eastern subs to turn you from Barefoot into Barfoot. They’re not quite genuine 1972 prices but at about $4 a beer it’s at least 1992.

To draw another cricket comparison, Coogee even has Moonlight Bowls, Barefoot under lights. It’s the day- night/ World Series Cricket revolution all over again (Google it or ask someone over 30)!

2 hours of Barefoot will cost you $10 any time from 10am till 10pm (8pm weekdays) and this includes the bowls and a lesson if needed. There are BBQs that are BYO for the acronym lovers and you’ll have to sign in when you get there or become a member for $5. Don’t forget to take your hat off inside, it’s disrespectful.

To get yourself in the mood or maybe just to get an idea, check out the Aussie movie Crackerjack.

Below is a newspaper clipping from 1888 about the new Coogee Bowls Club and Aquarium. The aquarium is still there, its just a pub now.