After a series of watch parties in support of women’s sports, a group of four women have come together to launch a new crowdfunding campaign to open a new sports bar in Philadelphia.
The new bar would be Philadelphia’s first dedicated to women’s sports, writes Beatrice Forman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Jen Leary, a local firefighter, has gone to sports bars across the city in hopes of watching WNBA games. However, she noticed that most would either refuse to play the games, or have the volume so low that it was impossible to hear or follow along.
After more than 100 people joined to watch last year’s NCAA Women’s National Championship game between South Carolina and Iowa at Stir Lounge in Rittenhouse Square, that sparked an idea.
Leary founded WatchPartyPHL. Through it, she has planned dozens of watch parties, where large crowds have come together to watch women’s sports.
The hope is to open a new bar in the city that will serve the same purpose.
“This is not about being a women’s sports bar to keep it separate from the others,” said Lori Albright, Leary’s wife and business partner. “Women’s sports needs its own venue.”
The fundraising goal is $50,000 and the hope is to open by summer 2026.
Read more about how a group of women are supporting women’s sports in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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