Emily Omvig of Bismarck, North Dakota, was visiting a friend in Minneapolis Friday morning when she learned a new type of bar was opening. Soon, they were in long lines at Minnesota's first watering hole exclusively for women's sports.
“There's no women's sport that I don't watch,” Omvig said.
A bagpipe and drum ensemble welcomed Omvig and other sports fans as they waited for their seats at A Bar of Their Own. Patrons stood in a circle to watch bar owner Jillian Hickok throw an underhand softball to signal the bar's opening. There was applause when the ball was caught.
Employees quickly checked IDs and ushered customers to their seats as the smell of fried food filled the bar. On the wall are a Wheaties cereal box of U.S. soccer legend Mia Hamm, a framed photo of a Minnesota Gophers softball jersey from the 2019 Women's College World Series, and a sign that says, “Watch Women's Sports.” Artworks and other memorabilia celebrating women's sports were on display.
Hiscock said the idea for the bar came during a visit to The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon, which was the first bar to feature women's sports. Hickok had a casual conversation with her friends about the concept in October 2022, but she wasn't sure if her aspirations would become a reality. After a conversation with Jenny Nguyen, owner of The Sports Bra, she decided to go for it.
Nguyen summed up her feelings when she opened the first women's sports bar. She is “terrifying”. But people were “really excited about the idea,” she added.
A Bar of Their Own opens less than a week before Hiscock's goal is to host the sold-out Big Ten women's basketball tournament. Jamie and Sarah Mills both said they hope to watch March Madness there in the future.
“It would be great to come see it,” Jamie Mills said.
Hiscock's Bar opened at a time of rapid growth in women's sports, from the advent of the PWHL to Caitlin Clark showing off her talent to the world.
“Places like this help make that happen,” Hickok said of the growing visibility of women's sports.
The restaurant features women's sports, but not everyone who attended the opening was there for that.
“I'm not into sports at all,” said Fred Crider, who was sitting at the bar having a drink.
This address was once home to Tracy's Saloon and Italy, which still attracted its former customers. Crider said he just wants to support local Minnesota businesses.
“I hope they do well,” he said.
Nguyen reiterated that while support for women's sports is growing, there is still much work to be done.
“We have an agenda to advance,” Nguyen said. “It’s about representation, exposure, access and investment for women.”
