Buffalo Club East London is one of the Eastern Cape’s most historically significant, community-loved, and naturally beautiful sports clubs and event venues — the oldest rugby club in East London and the Border Region, and the third-oldest rugby club in South Africa, at 1 Buffalo Park Drive, Quigney, East London, Eastern Cape, 5201. Founded on 2 June 1877 at a meeting at the Buffalo Hotel — “to which gentleman from both sides of the river were invited” — Buffalo Club East London sits alongside the Buffalo Park cricket ground (home of Border cricket), overlooks the East London Golf Course, and offers sweeping views toward the Indian Ocean from its conference and bar facilities.

With a Google rating of 4.4 from 582 reviews and a loyal following captured in the beloved motto “Once a Buff, Always a Buff!” — Buffalo Club East London has been a venue for cricket, rugby, musical festivals, weddings, conferences, and all kinds of community celebrations for generations. “This has been a place for all high quality entertainment be it cricket, musical festivals, weddings, conferences and much more — excellent surroundings with exceptional atmosphere.”

A History Spanning Nearly 150 Years

Buffalo Club East London’s history is inseparable from the story of sport in the Eastern Cape:

• 2 June 1877: The Buffalo Football Club is founded at the Buffalo Hotel in East London — “to which gentleman from both sides of the river were invited”
• The club is the oldest rugby club in East London and the Border Region
• The third-oldest rugby club in South Africa
• In the 1940s and 1950s, the vision for Buffalo Park as a dedicated clubhouse begins to take shape
• 12 May 1960: Brickwork begins on the Buffalo Park clubhouse
• 22 August 1960: The first AGM of the Buffalo Club is held
• 4 January 1961: Ted Allen, president of the Buffalo Football Club, hands the clubhouse over to its first president, Archie Taylor
• Today, Buffalo Club East London continues as a thriving sports and community venue

The Setting — Cricket Ground, Golf Course & Indian Ocean Views

Buffalo Club East London’s location is one of the most picturesque sporting settings on the Eastern Cape coast:

• Situated alongside Buffalo Park cricket ground — home of Border cricket and one of South Africa’s historic cricketing venues
• Overlooking the East London Golf Course
• “Cool sea view of the Indian Ocean” visible from the conference room and bar
• “A picturesque venue — always a picturesque venue” — the consistent verdict of guests and visitors

Venue Hire — Main Hall, Conference Room & Private Hire

Buffalo Club East London offers venue hire for a wide range of occasions:

Main Hall:

• Large indoor function space for formal events
• Weddings, award evenings, year-end functions, and large celebrations
• “Great view over the cricket grounds” from the main hall

Conference Room:

• “Spacious — could have easily fit over 100 delegates with room to spare”
• Conference room hire with Indian Ocean views
• Suitable for corporate conferences, seminars, and training sessions

Private Bar Tender Hire:

• Exclusive venue hire options including a private bar tender
• “Great experience at Buffs Club — hired out a venue with a private bar tender”

Events hosted: Cricket matches, rugby fixtures, musical festivals, weddings, conferences, birthday parties, baby showers, year-end functions, and all kinds of community gatherings.

Booking: Venue hire conditions and booking sheets available via the official website. Bookings remain unconfirmed until a completed signed booking sheet and full payment are received.

The Restaurant & Bar — Good Food, Great Value

Buffalo Club East London’s restaurant and bar is a beloved institution in its own right:

• “One of the best sports clubs to visit — good atmosphere, amazing food”
• Ribs: “Best ribs my mates say they have ever eaten” — a consistent crowd favourite
• Sunday buffet: “Wonderful Sunday buffet lunch with efficient and friendly service — R95 per person is a steal!”
• Bar: full range of draught and bottled beers, spirits, and soft drinks
• “Buffs Club is always good value — the food as always very good”
• Indoor and outdoor seating — large outdoor grassed areas with views

Sports Facilities & Leisure

• Rugby — the founding sport, with a full programme of games
• Squash courts — “Played squash there in the SA Masters IPT last month — great facility”
• Kiddies jungle gym — a popular attraction for families
• Large grass area for children to play
• Adjacent to Buffalo Park cricket ground (Border cricket)
• Proximity to East London Golf Course

Practical Details

• Address: 1 Buffalo Park Drive, Quigney, East London, Eastern Cape, 5201
• Website: buffsclub.com
• Facebook: 4,742 likes | 4,011 check-ins (Buffs Club page)
• Google rating: 4.4 / 5 (582 reviews)
• Founded: 2 June 1877
• Motto: “Once a Buff, Always a Buff!”
• Sports: Rugby (primary), squash
• Guest house: On-site guest house accommodation available
• Venue hire: Main hall, conference room (100+ delegates), private bar hire, garden areas
• Views: Buffalo Park cricket ground, East London Golf Course, Indian Ocean
• Best for: East London venue hire, Border cricket match days, rugby club functions, Eastern Cape corporate conferences, historic venue East London, family outings with jungle gym, Sunday buffet lunch, musical festivals East London

For venue hire enquiries, bookings, and event packages, visit the official Buffalo Club website.

Also explore other popular sports club venues and function venues in East London and the Eastern Cape or browse Eastern Cape event and conference venues on Event Venues SA.