The Sports Bra
Sports bar · Sullivan's Gulch ·
Celebrates women's athletics with unique food, women-owned drinks
Celebrates women's athletics with unique food, women-owned drinks
"Known as America’s first-ever bar dedicated to women’s sports and launched by Jenny Nguyen in 2022, I found The Sports Bra highlights women’s sports on screen and on the menu, pairing traditional pub fare with vegan and gluten-free offerings and a kids menu (buttered noodles and daytime WNBA games are even called out). The drink program leans into beverages made by women—beers, ciders, and kombuchas—alongside cocktails featuring women-owned Freeland Spirits, and the brand is expanding with franchises slated for St. Louis, Las Vegas, Boston, and Indianapolis in 2026." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
"When the Sports Bra opened in Portland in 2022 it became the country’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports, and while it displays Pride flags they’re tucked among dozens of athletic jerseys, bunting, scarves, and posters for women’s teams — signaling a specific, intersectional vision rather than a standard rainbow aesthetic. Founder Jenny Nguyen, who identifies as queer and trained as a chef, built a cozy, non‑elitist place where people felt welcome to watch women’s sports; in the first months patrons were about 95 percent queer folks and women, and over time the crowd broadened to include families and even construction workers watching a “bros lunch.” The food is described as familiar, unpretentious, and delicious (featuring staples like Aunt Tina’s Vietnawings) with options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten‑ and dairy‑free customers, and the concept has already inspired franchises announced for St. Louis, Las Vegas, Boston, and Indianapolis." - Francky Knapp
"A Portland bar that focuses on showcasing women’s sports." - Rebecca Roland
"An upcoming franchise project run by an eight-person group of Boston-area residents united by their love of women’s sports; the team describes themselves as athletes, educators, leaders, planners, and fans with collective decades of hospitality experience and a history of hosting women’s sports pop-ups and watch parties. The site will join the original Portland spot and the first four franchises to form a ‘Starting Five’ aimed at creating inclusive community spaces that champion women’s sports. No specific location or opening timeline has been announced; updates are being shared via the group’s Instagram." - Tanya Edwards
"One of Portland’s few all-ages (until 10 p.m.), queer-friendly spaces, this Northeast Portland hangout frequented by women and femmes in the LGBTQ community has garnered national attention for being the first sports bar dedicated entirely to women’s sports. Drinks include the GOAT, a cheekily-named mix of gin, orgeat, Aperol, and tangerine juice. The food menu features recipes like claypot ribs and glazed chicken wings, inspired by owner Jenny Nguyen’s parents." - Thom Hilton
