If there’s one thing you can say about Boulebar, it’s that they give a toss.
In fact, they’re packing in 8 sand-filled lanes at their Southbank pétanque bar for lots of people to give a toss, and playfully fling their boules about as if they were on the French Riviera itself. Only with street food, and a bar.
You’ll find the place just behind Rambert (by the IMAX), and it’s pretty huge, with space for 350 players (and any pooches that come along). But for your purposes, you’ll want to corral a group of 2-6 buddies for a slot, which lasts about 90 minutes.
If you’ve never played boules, or if you have played boules but just made up your own rules, then here’s the official etiquette: you split into teams, and someone chucks the jack down the court. Then, you take turns throwing your boules as close to the jack as possible… orrr attempting to ruthlessly snipe your opponents boules out of the way. At the end, whoever gets their boule closest to the jack wins the point (and gets extra points for each other boule that’s nearer than their opponents’ closest one). First team to 13 points wins. And don’t worry if you forget all this – the Breton top-clad staff will give you a full run-down before you start.
As for the street food? That’s taken care of by Jimmy’s Burgers and Rico Burrito (who do a burrito larger than the average baby). They even run a bottomless brunch on weekends, with Mexican treats and limitless prosecco.
Then there’s the shipping container bar supplied by the folks at Siren microbrewery, who’ve even gone as far as brewing a special lager just for Boulebar. But if you really want to keep things authentically French? You’ll be needing a round of the country’s distinctive anise-flavoured apéritif and natural boules companion, pastis.
Get ready to throw down.
NOTE: Boulebar is open Tuesday – Sunday. Games cost £10pp – you can find out more, and book, HERE.
Boulebar | 101 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Like finding unusual things to do? Check out what’s on in London this month