Concentration, good judgment and strategic thinking are what make up a “bon homme,” a French term used to refer to the ideal player of Pétanque, a sport that is revolutionizing Mexican lands.

The precision sport consists of throwing metal balls (boules) as close as possible to a small wooden ball (the cochonnet). The player who throws the metal ball must do so in a static position with both feet firmly planted inside the throwing ring. 

The closer the team is to the cochonnet, the more it wins the round. The number of points the winning team scores is equal to the number of balls closest to the cochonnet. The number of rounds necessary to reach a total of 13 points is played.

What is fascinating about petanque is the complexity that lies within its simplicity and that it is friendly for people of all types and ages to play it; thus, its popularity has been increasing in Mexico where many groups of friends spend countless hours having fun. Its popularity is such that up to 20 petanque clubs have already been registered.

Now it was San Miguel de Allende's turn to experience such pleasant hours with the opening of “Bonom"an ideal place to get started in such a fascinating world, and they did so in style with the opening of the establishment in July. 

With a very contemporary graphic identity that invites “do-goodism”; Bonom inaugurated its courts with the national qualifiers for the Pan American Games in Peru 2022, being the venue where experts would compete to have the honor of representing our country in such important games. 

And beyond a place for professionals, what Bonom promotes is to forget about the outside world for a while and get involved in this fun sport while enjoying an urban menu curated with a lot of love to make it street food but no less gourmet with its exquisite seasoning and generous portions. 

Creating a place like this was a fruitful bet for Andrés Álvarez and Javier González who, after a burst of inspiration and having a great time playing petanque, decided that San Miguel was a place where it could be a hit, and that is what actually happened. 

The renovation from scratch of a space almost in black construction to a place with large wooden tables and fun murals with the unique style of Daniela Salmón, was a challenge that is providing a new and healthy activity for all San Miguelenses. 

Something worth mentioning is that it is the intention of both partners to be a breeding ground and professionalize the sport in our country, so within their facilities, there are expert players who will found a Petanque academy with a view to training people of all levels and ages in order to professionalize them and take them to important competitions.

A fun place, without any pretensions, with delicious beers and food in abundance is what you can expect from Bonom, which yes, is the same French expression without its good spelling and with the cheerful humor of the Mexican. 

Do you already know how to play it? Try giving it a try on Station Road, Station Square 19-A, San Miguel de Allende