The themed venue Boulebar will open a second site next month, bringing pétanque to Spitalfields.
Well established in the South Bank, Boulebar combines the French game with food, drink, and music, and promises to inspire the “laid-back spirit of Provence” in London.
At the new location on the exceptionally named Frying Pan Alley, there will be 10 full-sized boules courts below a mezzanine level featuring a bar and dining space.
Designed to feel like a Marseille park, with gravelled courts, murals, and lot of plants, players will be invited to compete before heading upstairs to eat, drink, and discuss the joy of pétanque.
The menu has been created with charming French cafes in mind. On offer, 1664 lager, crémant, cider, and Ricard Pastis to drink, while food is a little more international, with burgers, fried chicken, tacos and burritos on offer.
The popularity of Pétanque has been climbing in the UK in recent years.
Colin Roper, the president of Pétanque England, the national governing body comprising 154 clubs, told The Times that up to 30,000 people in the UK now play regularly, when just decades ago the only devotees were French waiters.
Boulebar now has 13 locations across Europe after group CEO Henrik Kruse was moved to build a brand based on the game 20 years ago.
“Since opening my first Boulebar in 2004, my passion has been about breaking down barriers and bringing people together, one carreau at a time,” Kruse said previously.
“This egalitarian sport is much more than just a game,” he said. “It's a way of life, a mindset, and an experience to be shared across generations.”
