Port City Bowling Club Adapts to Attract Younger Crowd
The Port City Bowling Club has long been a cherished community hub on the NSW Mid North Coast, a place where people gather for bowls, a meal and a drink.
But in order to attract younger patrons in an ever-competitive landscape, it was time to adapt to meet evolving trends.
The newly opened sports bar aims to attract a new demographic which is eager for a fresh entertainment experience.
Port City Bowling Club Operations Manager Adam Barrett says it’s something that many clubs need to embrace.
“I feel like the next generation of members has slipped just beyond Clubland’s reach,” he says.
“So we’ve crafted the new bar to enhance that sports bar atmosphere. It features an American-themed menu with classic sports bar favourites like burgers, hot dogs, and traditional club dishes.
“We’ve created a space for our members to enjoy and take pride in, while also catering to the 30-plus market with contemporary beverage options like Stone and Wood beer or cocktails.”
“This is a $10 million renovation and revitalisation of the existing sports bar area. We’re modernising it to align with the Club’s recent upgrades.
“We have a brand new everything. New screen, new Tab area, brand new audio and an entirely new bar.”
The coastal industrial theme is applied throughout, with the ceiling being lifted during construction in order to make the most of the beautiful views of Oxley Beach.
There will be plenty of options for diners, including a laid-back casual experience at Drift or a more refined setting at the new Bar and Grill restaurant.
“This is only stage one and the ground level,” Adam says.
“Stage two is a 130-seat function centre and a 180-seat restaurant with a steakhouse theme upstairs.
“The premium space will be able to host conferences, weddings and that sort of thing, which we haven’t had up our sleeve before.”
Despite the construction, weekly activities such as bingo, raffles, member draws, trivia, poker, live entertainment and barefoot bowls have been running as usual.
The much-anticipated new Bar and Grill restaurant and Drift Alfresco spaces will be launched in March, just in time for the influx of visitors to the region for the Easter school holidays.
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