Forget scrabble – games night to go next level on Moorabool Street

Geelong locals Stephen Wools and Josh Lefers are bringing their successful Ballers Clubhouse concept home. Despite a two-year delay, the licenced entertainment venue featuring mini golf and a ballpit is scheduled to open early 2026

After a more than two-year delay, Ballers Clubhouse – a play centre for grown ups with a bar and penthouse – is back on track to open in the CBD.

“Our big, bold promise is we want to create the ultimate winning night out for anyone,” founder Stephen Wools said.

The men behind the ambitious 1100sq m project are Geelong locals, Mr Wools and his business partner Josh Lefers.

Ballers Clubhouse co-founders Stephen Wools and Josh Lefers, at their new venue on Pulteney Street in Adelaide on June 14th, 2024. Picture: Tom Huntley

The pair have opened two Ballers Clubhouses in Melbourne and one in Adelaide.

They have a venue under construction in Brisbane and are hoping to open their doors in Geelong in March or April 2026.

The pair originally took control of 100-108 Moorabool St – the site of the old Reject Shop – in 2023, before abruptly halting construction in September that year so the landlord could fix “building compliance issues”.

“We are hoping to take the building back as soon as possible and I see us ploughing through the build,” Mr Wools said.

Ballers Clubhouse is being built in Moorabool St Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd

The licenced venue will boast a ballpit karaoke room, a nine-hole disco minigolf course, ultra darts, arcade games, billiard tables, ping pong and a penthouse.

“The design we have done is world class – it’s phenomenal for what it is going to bring to Geelong and it’s also our hometown … we’re pumped,” Mr Wools said.

“There’s a real consumer demand towards not just going out and having a beer or a drink, they are really starting to go for experience-based hospitality places.”

Plans for the clubhouse darts room at Ballers Clubhouse Geelong

The entrepreneur – who lives in Ocean Grove – said he’s not worried about the current state of traditional hospitality and retail industry in the region.

“The same thing is happening globally – there is really a swing towards experiences like ourselves and that’s why we have a lot of confidence doing what we are doing,” Mr Wools said.

Alongside the more traditional games is their own product NeoShuffle, a modern take on shuffleboard.

Plans for the NeoShuffle area at Ballers Clubhouse Geelong

“We actually stood up a tech company called Good Times Tech (GXT) and we actually sell all these assets globally now,” Mr Wools said.

The venue has a 600-person liquor licence and can be hired for private and corporate functions.

“We have a really broad demographic. Young people on the weekend, families on Sunday and corporates Thursday, Friday, Saturday … there is something for everyone,” Mr Wools said.

Originally published as Forget scrabble – games night to go next level on Moorabool Street