Unlike bowlers and their strict shoe requirements, bocce players are permitted to play in house slippers, hook and loop moccasins, and platform Birkenstocks. Today’s Groupon allows you to exercise such freedom of footwear: for $25, you get registration in a seven-week indoor bocce league from DC Bocce League (a $50 value). Choose from two options:

• Register for the fall league, which runs from October 12 until December 15.
• Register for the winter league, which runs roughly from January until March (dates will be posted closer to the league start date).

The indoor leagues at DC Bocce are an ideal way to learn a new, snow-proof sport while also expanding your social circle. Each season has a Tuesday and a Wednesday night league; Tuesday rollers meet at the Tom Tom in Adams Morgan, while pallina-packed Wednesdays go down at the Pour House and the American Legion on Capitol Hill. For the uninitiated, the game of bocce involves teams of four to six players taking turns rolling small balls toward a smaller ball while sabotaging the other team’s balls—for a more in-depth, scratch-and-sniff explanation, check out the rules. The regular season lasts five weeks, with each team invited to the playoffs, which last for an additional two weeks. As with the Official Society of Candy Testers, membership in the DC Bocce League has its benefits. Team members get a stylish, league-sanctioned T-shirt, post-game food and beverage deals, and free parties, contests, and prizes throughout the season. Have a gander at the fall schedule and stay tuned to the DC Bocce League for the winter lineup.

DC Bocce League was started six years ago by a group of friends with a passion for one of Europe’s oldest and most horse-free sporting traditions. The league is dedicated to uniting people in the pursuit of fun and community spirit.

The deadline for fall registration is October 11 at 10 a.m. The deadline for winter registration is January 7, but registration will not open until mid-December. League members must be 21 or older.

Reviews

Though the sport has limited reviews, three Yelpers do give DC Bocce League an average of 4.5 stars. > * 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. – Becca B. > * DC Bocce is a rare combo of extremely organized and super fun. – Leah R.