Moorooka Bowls Club opened in 1968 and was a long-standing sporting and community institution in Brisbane's south. The club gained national attention in 1982 when it hosted the lawn bowls competition at the Commonwealth Games during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Brisbane.
 

In 2019, after many years of declining participation in competition bowls and increasing operational challenges, the club ceased operations.

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The closure prompted concern across the local community about the future of the site. Many residents recognised the importance of preserving the venue as a community asset and maintaining public access to a place that had served generations of Moorooka residents.

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In 2019, local residents established Third Place Group Inc., a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing people together through social experiences and shared spaces while building stronger, more connected and resilient communities.

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The organisation takes its name from the concept of a "third place" - a space outside of home and work where people can gather, connect and build relationships. The vision was to create a welcoming community hub where people from all backgrounds could participate, belong and contribute to neighbourhood life.

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In 2021, Brisbane City Council granted Third Place Group a community lease over the former bowls club site for community, recreation, hospitality and event purposes.

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Since then, Third Place Group has been working to restore, reactivate and reimagine the facility as The Clubhouse Moorooka, building on the site's rich history while creating new opportunities for recreation, hospitality, events and community connection.

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Today, The Clubhouse Moorooka continues to evolve as a vibrant community hub, bringing people together through shared experiences and helping strengthen social connections.