Last year, What Now Boston reported that a Pacific Northwest sports bar dedicated entirely to women’s athletics was planning to expand to Boston, though its future home had yet to be announced. Now, a potential location has emerged in the city’s Financial District.
According to Boston Restaurant Talk, The Sports Bra is hoping to open at 1 India Street, in a space within the One India Street Apartments near the intersection of India, Broad, and State streets. However, the Boston-based ownership group behind the proposed location emphasized that the deal is not yet finalized.
“We love seeing the incredible energy and excitement surrounding the arrival of The Sports Bra in Boston,” BOS IX, LLC said in a statement to What Now Boston. “While public licensing applications have sparked recent media coverage and interest, we have not yet signed a lease. Applying for necessary municipal permits and a liquor license transfer is a standard preliminary step to opening our doors as we continue to negotiate and finalize a lease agreement.”
BOS IX, LLC is a collective of eight Boston-area residents united by a shared love of women’s sports. The group also founded Watch With Us Boston, a local organization that hosts viewing parties and other sports-centered community events.
If the India Street plans move forward, the bar would occupy approximately 3,555 square feet, according to a licensing board hearing notice. The proposed space would include a main dining area, a main bar, and a private dining room, along with a roughly 500-square-foot seasonal outdoor patio. Proposed hours would allow the indoor space to remain open until 2 a.m., while the patio could close at midnight.
Founded in 2022 by CEO Jenny Nguyen, The Sports Bra is believed to be the first-ever sports bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. The company currently operates its original Portland, Oregon location, with additional outposts planned for Boston; Indianapolis, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; St. Louis, Missouri; and Portland, Maine.
In last year’s announcement, the company said Boston fans could expect the same menu as the original Portland location, featuring scratch-made options designed to accommodate a range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. Signature dishes include Mom’s Baby Back Ribs, Aunt Tina’s Vietna-Glaze Wings, and a Tempeh Reuben, alongside beer, cider, wine, cocktails, and mocktails.
“We share the Boston community’s immense passion for establishing a dedicated home for women’s sports in the city,” said BOS IX, LLC. “Our team is moving as quickly and carefully as possible through the planning stages, and we look forward to announcing our permanent home as soon as everything is finalized.”
