Women’s sports bars provide community and opportunity for underserved fans

There’s never been a better time to be a women’s sports fan. No matter who you’re cheering for, more comprehensive media deals and increased exposure have made it easier to watch your fave athletes and leagues are reaching more fans than ever.

• That said, with seemingly endless different streaming channels, paid subscriptions, and out-of-market blackouts, it can be tough to find your team’s game at home — and that’s saying nothing about finding it at a bar.

Beyond being able to watch the game, bars are an essential part of sports culture, providing a place to both connect and commiserate. Nevertheless, while they aren’t specifically labeled “men’s sports bars,” there seems to be an unwritten rule that men’s sports will dominate the screens.

• FIFA Women’s World Cups watch parties, for example, have proven that people show up in the thousands to take in the action, but it’s hard to replicate the fervor or secure screen time once the tournament ends.

• More often than not, women’s sports fans have to settle for a muted TV in the corner…if bar owners decide to play the game at all.

But with every “sorry, I’m not putting that on” came an opportunity. Bars dedicated to women’s sports are popping up across North America, proving their popularity and profitability. From Vogue to NPR to Forbes, the masses and investors are noticing the value in offering a safe, welcoming space for women’s sports fans. If you build it, they will come.

2512 NE Broadway Street. Write it down, drop a pin, tattoo it on your arm — remember the address of The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon. The now-famous bar started as an idea in Jenny Nguyen’s head as she watched the thrilling 2018 NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball final on a small, muted TV at a pub.

The desire to create a place to watch, celebrate, and support women’s sports stayed with Nguyen for years but didn’t start taking shape until the then-executive chef lost her job in 2020 due to the pandemic.

• While banks were less-than-eager to offer loans for a restaurant during such a tumultuous time, the women’s sports community stepped up and donated over $100K to Nguyen’s Kickstarter campaign.

The Sports Bra officially opened its doors on April 1, 2022, just in time for the NCAA women’s Final Four. Would-be customers lined up around the block for a chance to experience the first-ever sports bar dedicated to women's sports, and the media coverage hasn’t stopped since.

• Along with the Kickstarter campaign, Nguyen emptied her life savings to open The Bra but only needed eight months to record nearly $1M in revenue. Talk about ROI.

In a city known for its trailblazers, Nguyen’s concept stands out as a proof point in the case for women’s sports. Enough so that Serena Williams’ husband, aka entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, invested earlier this year with a plan to franchise The Bra.

• Even better? All returns from his investment will support elevating future generations of women athletes. Cheers to that.

☕ Rough & Tumble Pub | Seattle, Washington

Founded by longtime soccer aficionado Jen Barnes, Rough & Tumble Pub is Seattle’s home for women’s sports. Rough & Tumble opened shortly after The Sports Bra in December 2022 and in less than two years, they’ve established themselves as one of the top sports bars in the Emerald City with 18 TVs and seating for 250 fans.

• Whether it’s Seattle Reign fans showing up for a Megan Rapinoe–themed “Hair-itage” party, drag bingo, or reality TV watch parties, there’s always something happening at Rough & Tumble.

• Led by Barnes, the pub is also now a part of the ownership group for new USL W League team, Salmon Bay FC that includes NWSL players, WNBA owners, and former MLS players. Goals, literally.

⚾ A Bar of Their Own | Minneapolis, Minnesota

All women’s sports, all the time? Say less. Inspired by The Sports Bra, Jillian Hiscock got the idea to open a women’s sports–focused bar after she was unable to find a place to watch the Minnesota Gophers women’s softball team play in the NCAA tournament. A Bar of Their Own opened in March 2024 and is already beloved by Twin City sports fans.

• And that includes Minnesota Lynx and Team USA women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Reeve, with the Lynx’s 2024 WNBA Finals run bringing even more attention and acclaim to the spot.

⚽ The 99ers Sports Bar | Denver, Colorado

Named for the barrier-breaking USWNT squad that won the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Denver’s first bar that caters primarily to women’s sports will open its doors this Friday, November 22nd. Founders Annie Weaver and Miranda Spencer started off as teammates on a competitive women’s flag football team before becoming business partners.

• Denver doesn’t have any major pro women’s sports teams (at least not yet), but local organizations like the WNBA Club Denver and For Denver FC have been drumming up support for women’s sports for years.

• The former even created a pledge for local bars, including The 99ers, to commit to equal coverage of women’s and men’s college basketball. Parity at a Mile High.

A massive part of what makes watching sports in person so special is the people you watch it with. Here are a few quotes from women’s sports bar owners and customers about what makes each space so unique and welcoming.

"Rough & Tumble is an awesome restaurant and sports pub, but it’s so much more than that. With its focus on women’s sports, it’s a place where people from all walks of life can come together—whether it’s to catch a game or take part in one of the many events celebrating local teams and athletes."

"One of the coolest things is how safe and comfortable folks feel at A Bar of Their Own—during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, we cheered together all game until we were hugging over the last-minute loss…Women’s sports is what has brought everyone together, but it is a community in the truest sense of the word—this feeling that together we can do so much."

"By focusing on equality, we’re not just creating space for and building the women’s sports fan base, we’re changing how we all look at and exist as sports fans together."

"From the moment Rough & Tumble opened my friends and I started calling it “headquarters”. I always know it’ll be a safe place to show up as myself and everyone there shares my passion for women's sports."