Portland Women’s Sports Bar | Unique Sports Venue
- Jenny Nguyen, a former chef from Portland, OR, noticed a problem: women's sports were consistently relegated to small, silent TVs in the corner of sports bars.
- Nguyen's journey began with a regular pickup basketball game with a diverse group of women.
- Four years later,The Sports Bra opened its doors in Northeast Portland,in a space previously occupied by a gay bar.
Discover The sports Bra, the pioneering Portland women’s sports bar revolutionizing the fan experience. Founder Jenny Nguyen identified a critical gap: the consistent undervaluation of womenS sports in traditional venues. She boldly created a space where female athletes take center stage, fostering a thriving community, notably within the LGBTQ+ community. This dedicated sports venue screens women’s games exclusively, building a vibrant atmosphere, and it’s expanding with investment from Alexis Ohanian. The Sports Bra tackles the ongoing issue in sports, giving female athletes the visibility they deserve. Read the full story on News Directory 3 for deeper insights into this movement. Discover what’s next as this unique sports bar expands to new cities.
The Sports Bra: A Portland Bar Exclusively Showing Women’s Sports
Updated June 16, 2025
Jenny Nguyen, a former chef from Portland, OR, noticed a problem: women’s sports were consistently relegated to small, silent TVs in the corner of sports bars. This frustration led her to create The Sports Bra, a pub dedicated exclusively to screening women’s sporting events.
Nguyen’s journey began with a regular pickup basketball game with a diverse group of women. They bonded over basketball and tried to watch women’s games together, frequently enough facing difficulty in finding a bar that would prioritize them.”The only way we’re ever going to watch women’s sports the way it deserves is if we have our own place,” Nguyen said.
Four years later,The Sports Bra opened its doors in Northeast Portland,in a space previously occupied by a gay bar. The bar features beers from women-owned breweries and drinks named after female sports pioneers. the atmosphere is welcoming, adorned with sports memorabilia and community event flyers.
A visit to The Sports Bra during an Indiana Fever game, even without Caitlin Clark playing, revealed a diverse clientele. Jenna Dalton, an artist, said she enjoys “watching women succeed in things” and finds the WNBA “more scrappy” than the NBA. Another patron, Katie Camarano, noted the faster pace and physicality of women’s basketball.
The bar has become a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Grace Kuhlenschmidt, a comedian, described attending a New York Liberty game and feeling like she was “in Heaven.” Nguyen’s mother even recognized the strong connection between the bar and the lesbian community, highlighting the need for such spaces.
Despite initial hostility, including death threats and vandalism, The Sports Bra has thrived. The opening day was a resounding success, fueled by support from the ”lesbian network.” the general manager, Katie Leedy, recalled the emotional impact of the bar on both staff and patrons.
Recently, Nguyen announced the expansion of The Sports Bra to Indianapolis, Boston, Las Vegas, and St. Louis, backed by investment from Alexis Ohanian. Ohanian, a vocal advocate for women’s sports, recognized the potential of Nguyen’s vision. “If you’re polarizing people this early with an idea, it means you’re really on to something,” he said.
The Sports Bra is part of a growing movement, with over two dozen women’s sports bars expected to open across the country. Owners of similar establishments, like Jax Diener of Watch Me! Sports Bar, share advice and support through a dedicated Slack chat.
The Sports Bra is more than just a bar; it’s a community hub, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the growing recognition and recognition of women’s sports.
What’s next
With expansion on the horizon, The Sports Bra aims to bring its unique blend of community, inclusivity, and women’s sports advocacy to new cities, further amplifying the visibility and appreciation of female athletes.