The Secret Recipe Behind a New Favourite in the Eastern Suburbs

Reopening its doors in September this year, the former Randwick Bowling Club — now known as The Avenue — relaunched with a brand-new menu, aesthetic and trading name, with the main focus on becoming a space for the local community to get together. 

“We are really excited to bring a new edge to the previous bowling club to meet the needs of the local community. The venue is now a favourite and by midday people are flowing through the doors for the exceptional food and atmosphere,” The Randwick Group of Clubs CEO Andrew Crofts told ClubLIFE.

“People of all ages are enjoying The Avenue, families, young people, and our members are really pleased with the renovations and new food offering,” he said.

The bowling club space has been revamped with the former restaurant and bowls changerooms being demolished to make room for the modern kitchen, which is operated by  local chef, Pietro, who formerly owned Pepe’s Kitchen in Kingsford — a café which grew him quite the cult following.

“We decided that he would be the right fit for our offering, where we could give him space to be creative with the menu and not just serve traditional club food but offer something a bit different,” Andrew said.

On top of his menu, there is a specials menu that alternates each week to offer variety and keep locals coming back. 

The Club’s membership numbers continue to grow with Andrew crediting this to the local community's appreciation of a venue with a relaxed atmosphere that suits a range of demographics. The Club continues to build relationships within the local area, including the school and fire station personnel, offering a place that people can enjoy and return to over and over again. 

Andrew said he and the board are very proud of The Avenue and the space they have provided to the community after years of COVID restrictions stopping people from getting together and enjoying a good meal.

“It's about that community feel and getting people together and having that valuable face-to-face time,” Andrew said. 

Open from Wednesday to Sunday, The Avenue now offers a range of functions packages, with custom catering available and capacity for up to 200 guests. 

The venue is also a destination for live music and barefoot bowls, not to mention delicious food. 

You can find more information about The Avenue here.