Restaurateurs and bar owners revive bowling clubs

When La Grande Bouffe owner David Poirier opens his new restaurant in Hunters Hill this week, he'll join hospitality's fastest growing posse: card-carrying bowling clubbers.

Across Sydney the humble bowling club has become the new go-to venue for restaurateurs and bar operators.

The owners of Panama House, on Bondi Road, proved a white knight at Bondi Bowling Club, where membership was in serious decline. Over at Norths Bowlo, Lily Fasan, the former executive chef at The Grounds, has brought a younger crowd to the venue at The Greens, a new eatery and bar.

Fasan's plans also include yoga on the green, and screen on the green. Poirier says the Hunters Hill Club has a mix of bowling and tennis facilities but, like all clubs, is keen for new ideas.

"They've had a look at The Greens in North Sydney," he says.

Back Lane Bistro will pitch mod-Oz and European dishes.

"They are trying to bring in a new crowd," Poirier adds.

In lawn bowls heyday there were as many as 800 NSW clubs; today that figure has shrunk to around 540.

The Hunters Hill Club's last annual report points to flattened bowling membership growth. But it did point out a generous anonymous gift from one club member, a defibrillator.