As women’s sports are finally starting to get the recognition they’ve always deserved, a popular Portland, Oregon-based bar dedicated to women’s athletics is expanding to cities across the country.
The Sports Bra, the first bar in the U.S. dedicated to women’s sports, was the brainchild of queer chef Jenny Nguyen. After opening in 2022, it quickly became a Portland staple due to its inclusive atmosphere where all the screens play women’s sports, and its extensive food and drink menu.
Now, based on the success of The Sports Bra, the bar is opening four new franchise locations in Boston, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
"The addition of these new locations will help fuel the movement for gender equity in sports and provide even more opportunities for fans to watch, cheer, and connect over their favorite women's teams and athletes," The Sports Bra said in its announcement.
Since the bar first opened in 2022 after Nguyen realized there was nowhere for her to watch the women's NCAA basketball championship game with her friends, it has received financial backing from investors like Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis legend Serena Williams, CBS News reports.
"Each new location will carry the same heart and mission as our original one in Portland-uplifting women-owned businesses, serving delicious food, and creating a welcoming space for everyone who wants to belong to a community and be part of the movement," Nguyen said in a statement.
The Sports Bra started teasing an expansion with social media posts asking fans to suggest cities where they should open up bars, before announcing the new locations on Instagram on June 3.
US women’s soccer icon Becky Sauerbrunn, Team USA hockey legend Hilary Knight, CEO of the Women's National Football Conference Odessa Jenkins, and Portland WNBA president Inky Son all helped make the announcement in an Instagram video listing the new locations.
“Visibility matters. Representation matters. And celebrating women in sports—loudly and proudly—matters,” the post read.
A soccer ball on the field.Tony Quinn/Shutterstock
Two players on the soccer field.Anton Vierietin/Shutterstock
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