It’s hard to walk around Philly in the summer without running into a game of bocce ball. Whether it’s the groups of friends playing it down at Bardascino Park in the hot sun, the 20-somethings enjoying a beer as they throw the bocce balls at your local bar, or even just the BBQ in a buddy’s yard (with the game a constant in the background), it’s safe to say bocce is very popular in the city.
The game, which involves throwing bocce balls as close to the main ball (called the pallino) as possible, can take a lot of skill to get right (and a lot of plays to learn all the rules). That’s why it’s a good idea to grab some food, pop open a beer (if you’re in a place where that’s allowed) and observe the game. Once you feel like you’re ready, grab a few friends and go play. There are plenty of leagues and groups around the city that would welcome new players, and even more places where you can just play with zero pressure.
We’ve put together a list of some of the places where you can enjoy the game around the city. We can’t get all of the courts, of course (there are a lot), but if we missed one that you think is essential, let us know in the comments. Happy playing!
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