Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club
A Brief History
Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club — or simply Flem-Ken — was founded in 1892, making it one of the oldest bowling clubs in Melbourne. We have won a large number of important accolades, but have always retained a strong reputation for enjoying our bowls and even being a little irreverent at times.
Flem-Ken is located on the boundary between Flemington and Kensington, a stone’s throw from Flemington Racecourse, and is an important part of the local community.
Flem-Ken was a foundation club of the Royal Victorian Bowling Association (RVBA) pennant competition and the honour boards at the club are filled with the names of some of Victoria’s best bowlers, and some of the most important citizens of the district. You can view the honour boards here.
We have won many pennants over the years, but pride of place is reserved for the two Division 1 pennants the club won in the 1990s. At the time, Division 1 was the top division in Melbourne and many of the players who were in those teams, and many others, have gone on to represent Victoria and Australia in major competitions, including the Commonwealth Games. Last year our 3rd side won the division 6 premiership, bringing the club it’s first Melbourne wide premiership in 19 years.
We are extremely proud of our recent achievements, particularly because Flem-Ken, as a relatively small, pokies-free club holds its own against clubs with many more resources.
The Club Today
Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club is a vibrant and energetic place dedicated to promoting and enjoying the sport of lawn bowls in a relaxed and family-friendly environment.
We regularly hold events that bring the community together such as our youth programs, an amateur bowls competition called the Community Cup, greyhound adoption days, beer events and more. We provide our venue for new parents through local parents’ groups and the Bowling with Babies program, as well as opening our doors for the elderly for weekly outings.
We are also renowned as one of the Inner West’s biggest craft beer venues and hold social events such as Meet the Brewers days with some of Melbourne’s best craft beer breweries. To view our craft beer selection CLICK HERE.
Our newly renovated Roy Gerbing room, which now has three brand-new competition-standard pool tables, is the premier venue for the Melbourne Metropolitan Pool League. We host six MMPL pool teams in the winter months, including 4 premier division teams, as well as the league finals. The pool tables are available for hire and can be included with the hire of the room.
Flem-Ken has now become one of the premier clubs in Melbourne for both pennant bowls and social functions. Whether you’re looking for a casual game of barefoot bowls with friends, a game of pool, a place to hold your next function, or you’d like to take up the game of lawn bowls and play pennant, you’ll be welcome down at Flem-Ken.
OPENING HOURS
| Monday: | By Appointment. |
| Tuesday: | 12pm-Late |
| Wednesday: | 12pm-8pm |
| Thursday: | 12pm-8pm |
| Friday: | 12pm-Late |
| Saturday: | 11am-Late |
| Sunday: | 12pm-7pm |
