DC Bocce League

DC Bocce is AWESOME! Well organized (but not too serious) with fun staff, especially Stacey who runs the Capital Hill area leagues. She makes sure that everyone is having fun and encourages intermingling among teams, along with her great staff. I can’t wait for DC Bocce to come back to Capital Hill… I’ll be the first to sign up!

Most importantly — DC Bocce League is awesome. I feel pretty confident in saying this as I have played at three locations throughout eight seasons over the past three years. I have met some really amazing friends (even traveling to visit two of them in South America!), been asked out on a quite a few dates, gotten crazy tan lines during the day-​long city-​wide championship game and stayed up way too late on many many weeknights because it’s always that fun. I’ve played in three other social sports leagues and DC Bocce tops them all because of the crazy number of people who play in each league, the laid-​back nature of the game which promotes friendships between teams, and the super sponsor bars who really take pride in being a part of DC Bocce.
With all of my love comes some serious frustrations with the organization of the league — this is not a good sport for those who like to have their schedule locked down as games times are frequently not announced until day-​of, weather cancellations are always too late (ie: when you’re on the field and it’s completely pouring), and rescheduling games is chaotic (two games in one week instead of adding another game in the same night etc).
BUT, really it’s the best. Sign up for a team today!

I love DC Bocce! I’ve played in both the Columbia Heights and Vinoteca’s Premier League. It’s been a great way to meet new people, play a relaxed sport, get to know your local bartenders, and eat a ton of $ 1 tacos! It’s always a great time!

I wanted to really love the DC Bocce League and rate it high, but gotta go with a rating that one of the other reviewers gave. What is somewhat a positive – that it is laid back, is also its negative – the lack of organization can be extremely frustrating and suck the fun out of it.
For example, the lateness of some communication (or lack thereof) and final decisions on whether matches could be played has been poor, and tonight just further demonstrated this. Tonight should have been no-​brainer. Cancel the matches. Could have been announced definitely by 4pm. If anyone in charge would have listened to the constant weather reports and warnings for this evening (constant downpours, thunder/​lighting, etc.), why you would wait to officially cancel games until AFTER 6:30 when matches are supposed to start – that’s really pretty bad. People are making efforts to get to matches after work and it wasn’t like the weather was a surprise that just happened after 6pm today. And to have make-​up match sessions go on after the earthquake, was questionable as well (most of our team could not make it so we had to forfeit). Granted there have been alot of weather situations this summer season – excessive rainfall with lightening or extreme 100 plus heat coupled with unforseen natural disasters – earthquak– that resulted in alot of decisions that had to made and multiple make sessions, but still.
As also mentioned, little communication or notice when field location is suddenly changed. Once earlier in the season our team captain couldn’t even find us for almost a ½ hr… no signs or someone directing people about the change. (maybe a text to the team captains at least?)
The bar situation could be better, in our Dupont League at least, although I commend the specials. I was extremely disappointed when the original bar in Dupont that was the sponsor suddenly was changed to a different place in Foggy Bottom that is basically a college frat bar which I wouldn’t even have gone too when I was in college… and is also kind of a trek from where we play (not a straight shot at all) Our team has rarely gone or if do, don’t/can’t stay too long (can’t get waited on, no place to sit down, hour wait for food, crazy crazy loud so can’t hear anything) and we wanted to be able to interact more with the other teams, but this makes it difficult.
Yes I’ve had some fun and was not expecting some professional serious league, but just think the DC Bocce League could do a little better.

Played the capital hill league and loved it. about to try out crystal city. Lots of fun and not too serious

Yay bocce! Joined up with the Miami University alumni on team Beta Balls and am enjoying it so far! Playing in the Capitol Hill Tuesday league. Just need some more courts down there because I’m way better there than on grass!

I first played Bocce at Vinoteca one (slightly tipsy) evening last fall and had a blast. When I saw the ad for the spring league I found a friend who wanted to give it a go and signed us both up. We play in the Premier League at Vinoteca which is a great host. The bartenders are super nice and efficient. The grilled food options are tasty and affordable and the Peroni is cold. What more can you ask for? The game is way more fun than I thought it would be. It doesn’t take any real skill but there is some strategy involved which keeps it interesting. We were placed on a team with other people who turned out to be super, and apparently we’re pretty good because we’re 3 – 0! As a bonus, many of them are near my age — which is older than the typical DC bar crowd. So, all you late 30’s (40’s + too) people… come on down and play.

I have been playing bocce for a couple years now and I LOVE IT!
The people are cool, the games are relaxed and the bar specials are pretty sweet. It’s a great reason to be outside after a long day at work and meet some new people.

Great time. A group of friends and I get together weekly for friendly bocce competition at the park. Met some new friends along the way. Perfect.

I have to say, DC Bocce League is probably one of the best things that has happened to be since moving from the suburbs into DC (besides Unilocal of course). The competition is fun but not too serious. No skill is needed at all (I mean come on, it’s bocce!). They are also very involved with charities; food drives, fundraising and the winners get to select a charity to donate too.
Walking into my first game, I made a stunning realization: this is pretty just a big party that happens to have bocce courts. They organize some great beer specials with the bars that we play at ($ 10 for a pitcher, $ 5 for a burger at Pour House).
I highly encourage everyone young and old to give it a try. Just a fair warning though, apparently my team is kind of awesome, so don’t get discouraged when we kick your ass! (Did I mention the league isn’t very competitive?)

I started in cap hill several years ago and had a blast so I was SUPER excited when they opened up play time in Adams Morgan (so close to home!). I have met a ton of great folks though Bocce and love the opportunity to be able to count on a set night to catch up with friends during play time and bar time. Plus, you won’t find a flair week like DC Bocce’s in any kickball league.
I have to say my favorite part is that the winners get to select a charity to donate the prize to. It’s a creative and great way to be involved in the community.
I can’t wait for Spring season to start!!!

I’ve played in the DC Bocce League for 4 years, and it is one of the best managed and funnest leagues in the DC area. The league was founded by four people that play in the league themselves, and make it a priority and want to see it succeed. The bocce league has been an excellent way to meet new friends, mingle with young professionals, and make light of a week night. The league wants to ensure that all participants have fun playing bocce and have fun at the bar (the league works out specials with the sponsor bars). The entire league is fairly easy going with healthy competition and a chance to engage with old friends while meeting new ones. DC Bocce also founded indoor leagues for the fall/​winter when it is too cold to be outdoors. Something for every season, and a must for those looking to fill their spare time with fun!

I have played in several DC sports/​entertainment leagues and I have to say that DC Bocce was the best organized, friendliest and by FAR the most fun league I’ve ever played in.
As an activity, Bocce is great to have a fun and healthily competitive time playing with friends and making new friends. The social aspect is amazing with tons of extra activities to keep you excited. QUICK ASIDE: Flair week is amazing… My team’s t-​shirt was royal blue one season so we went as Smurfs (face paint and all) and it was a great fun way to meet more people. The $ 50 gift certificate to the bar that night was a great bonus for it too!
Well… I could keep writing about this forever, but if you need to pick a fun sport/​activity league to play in DC, Bocce is definitely the way to go. You won’t regret it!

I’m in my second season and have had a great time playing. The organizers are very nice and helpful and all of the players are there to have a good time.

I have been involved with DC Bocce for a few years, cutting my teeth in the original league (Capital Hill) played in Garfield Park, and then taking the game inside, over to Rose Park on the West End and, this past fall, to the Première League at Vinoteca.
Bocce is, for lack of a better word, AWESOME! I have made some life long friends through the league. Everyone involved, organizers and fellow players, are very friendly and outgoing. The league provides great specials each week at bars like the Pour House, Vinoteca and Sign of the Whale for food and Peroni, the officla beer of DC Bocce.
You’ll also get an array of T-​shirts in colors you never dreamed of to round out your wardrobe :)
I really cannot recommend DC Bocce enough. On top of the games and bar time each week they also set up nights out at Nats games, tubing trips, and extend invitations to bar openings and happy hours around the city.
Another awesome part of the league is the winners each year get to donate to a charity of their choice! In addition to these donations, DC Bocce organizes canned food drives and helps raise money for our veterans returning home and our friends over at the American Legion.
If you are looking for a good time with good people, DC Bocce is where it’s at.

The D.C. Bocce League is run by a group of people that care about community. Each year, the league goes beyond just creating bocce courses and negotiating drink specials by organizing some sort of charitable donation or volunteer project. It’s this volunteer work that makes me feel just a little bit better for imbibing so many of those aforementioned drink specials.

DC Bocce is a rare combo of extremely organized and super fun. The post-​play bar time is a can’t miss and the competition is friendly but not lame. In truth, I’m an ambidextrous bocce-​er (read: I’m so bad that it actually doesn’t matter if I throw left or right) and I still love it!

DC Bocce is fantastic! A great social option for people looking to make new friends in a less competitive environment than other social sports leagues in DC. It also requires less athletic ability than other sports, something I was very keen on. Highly recommend DC Bocce for anyone looking to have a great time and meet great friends!

I heart DC Bocce! I’ve been a member of the organization for over 6 years. In that time I’ve seen it grow from a tiny 50-​member club to a 1,200 member competitive sports league w/​locations all over the area. Bocce is such a great sport to play and this league really does it up right — great people, fun atmosphere, and nobody’s overly competitive that it makes it uncomfortable. Plus, there’s the post-​game culture that includes socializing and drinking and hanging out that I really love. In this city, you honestly can’t find a better activity to do after work.

This is a great way to meet new people and have a great time. Not only are the people fun and friendly, but the happy hours are always in great places. I highly recommend this to anyone in DC newcomer or long time resident.