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Ash McClain found themselves watching a lot of women’s sports. Caitlin Clark and her rise from the Iowa Hawkeyes to the first pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, followed by her rookie season, as well as Iowa State sensation Audi Crooks fueled that fandom. Serena Williams on the tennis court and gymnastics phenom Simone Biles kept the fires going. Women’s soccer and the World Cup added gas to the flames.
McClain, who uses they/them pronouns, found that most sports bars concentrate on men’s sports, and if they show a women’s match, the sound is off.
They want to change that by opening Des Moines' first women's sports-focused bar and venue.
“We believe there's no better time to celebrate women's sports in our community,” McClain said. “The venue will be located in the heart of Des Moines and aims to be more than just a sports bar — we envision it as a gathering space that elevates and celebrates women's athletics at all levels, from local high school teams to professional leagues.”
The vision for the first women’s sports bar in Des Moines stems from the Sports Bra, a similar bar in Portland, Oregon. McClain envisions "craft beers, creative mocktails, and inclusive menu options" for their bar.
For now, it’s a dream for McClain as they attempt to raise $20,000 in funding through GiveButter to cover securing a location, as well as some inventory and equipment. “While we're pursuing traditional financing and small business loans, we believe our community can help make this dream a reality,” they said.
McClain, who was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, moved to Cedar Rapids at age 14 and played basketball through middle school. “Basketball has been my passion,” they said. McClain’s partner graduated from Iowa State and McClain is an assistant coach for their daughter’s fourth grade team.
“Together, we're not just opening a bar — we're creating Iowa's first home for women's sports fans, where every game is the main event and every fan belongs,” they wrote on the fundraising page. “Our plans to create an inclusive space that supports local athletes.”
So far, the fund is at 2% of its $20,000 goal. To learn more, visit givebutter.com.
More: Nick Tillinghast of Hello, Marjorie fame plans to open a sports bar in downtown Des Moines
Sign up for our new dining newsletter, The Dish, which comes out on Wednesday mornings with all the latest news on restaurants and bars in the metro. You can sign up for free at DesMoinesRegister.com/thedish.
If you see a new restaurant opening or a beloved place closing, send me some details at [email protected].
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa entrepreneur wants to open Des Moines' first women's sports bar
Continue reading...
McClain, who uses they/them pronouns, found that most sports bars concentrate on men’s sports, and if they show a women’s match, the sound is off.
They want to change that by opening Des Moines' first women's sports-focused bar and venue.
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“We believe there's no better time to celebrate women's sports in our community,” McClain said. “The venue will be located in the heart of Des Moines and aims to be more than just a sports bar — we envision it as a gathering space that elevates and celebrates women's athletics at all levels, from local high school teams to professional leagues.”
The vision for the first women’s sports bar in Des Moines stems from the Sports Bra, a similar bar in Portland, Oregon. McClain envisions "craft beers, creative mocktails, and inclusive menu options" for their bar.
For now, it’s a dream for McClain as they attempt to raise $20,000 in funding through GiveButter to cover securing a location, as well as some inventory and equipment. “While we're pursuing traditional financing and small business loans, we believe our community can help make this dream a reality,” they said.
McClain, who was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, moved to Cedar Rapids at age 14 and played basketball through middle school. “Basketball has been my passion,” they said. McClain’s partner graduated from Iowa State and McClain is an assistant coach for their daughter’s fourth grade team.
“Together, we're not just opening a bar — we're creating Iowa's first home for women's sports fans, where every game is the main event and every fan belongs,” they wrote on the fundraising page. “Our plans to create an inclusive space that supports local athletes.”
So far, the fund is at 2% of its $20,000 goal. To learn more, visit givebutter.com.
More: Nick Tillinghast of Hello, Marjorie fame plans to open a sports bar in downtown Des Moines
Sign up for our new dining newsletter, The Dish, which comes out on Wednesday mornings with all the latest news on restaurants and bars in the metro. You can sign up for free at DesMoinesRegister.com/thedish.
If you see a new restaurant opening or a beloved place closing, send me some details at [email protected].
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa entrepreneur wants to open Des Moines' first women's sports bar
Continue reading...
