Australia’s first sports bar designed specifically for women has opened on Oxford Street in Sydney – but drinkers are divided about what can be shown on the TV.
The two-storey venue, named The Ladies League, opened in August this year with the aim of playing nothing but women’s sport from open until close.
The founder of the establishment, Rose Valente, says there’s a huge demand for a venue where people can watch women’s sports together.
‘When I got into football, I’d sometimes go to bars and not really feel comfortable,’ Valente told ABC.
‘There can be so much stupidity and negativity around women’s sport; even when you watch men’s sport, you can go to some toxic sports bars where you’re questioned about being a fan or whatever.
‘Something deep inside me was like: we need somewhere for women’s sports fans to gather. Australia doesn’t have anything like this.’
The bar, which opened during the Paris Olympics, is proving a hit but some fans object to it being female-focused.
‘Just be a sports bar,’ posted one fan on TLL’s Instagram page.
Sydney bar The Ladies League exclusively plays women’s sport from open until close
The bar was founded by Aussie Rose Valente who wanted a safe space in Sydney for fans to watch women’s sports
‘Imagine we had a men only bar!’ commented another
‘But having a all males barber shop makes the feminists go crazy lol,’ replied a third.
Some said female fans should support teams by attending matches, with one commenter posting: ‘I think it’s an awesome idea. Love watching women’s sport and a big fan however this is a fad and won’t last long. It’s the same reason women’s sport won’t grow much bigger. Not enough women get out to support it.’
Other fans praised the pioneering concept and said they’ll be visiting the bar soon.
‘Can’t wait to catch an NRLW game there,’ said one.
‘Love it! More of these please!’ replied another.
‘Will be in for a beer soon! Love it! Can’t wait to watch @hawthornaflw,’ posted a third.
Some Aussies have objected to the bar only showing female sports on its TVs (pictured, a staffer at the Ladies League)
The owner says she is open to showing men’s sports if the customers want it (pictured, some of the women’s sport-focused decorations at the bar)
In the USA, a women’s sports bar named The Sports Bra opened in Portland in 2022 and reportedly made almost $1million in its first year.
However, banks in Australia knocked back Valente for a loan, saying the venture was ‘too risky’, but she forged ahead with the project and has huge support from fans, and professional female athletes, across the country.
‘I have 100 per cent faith that I’m going to, at the very minimum, get my money back: that’s how much faith I have in the women’s sport community,’ she said.
‘That’s how confident I am that women’s sport needs a space like this. I’m willing to put every single dollar I have into it. I don’t care that I couldn’t get a loan for it; I knew I had to do it and needed to make it happen. Banks don’t see passion.
‘The community is so wholesome. It has been so supportive. And I think if you’re doing something positive, the community gives back to you; we all help each other, we all want to make each other better. You can really feel that in this place.’
Although the bar is committed to showing women’s sports, Valente says she’s open to showing men’s sport if the game is particularly important.
‘It comes down to what our customers want,’ Valente said. ‘I enjoy men’s sport as well as women’s sport, but our core values are extremely important.
‘We will always support women’s sport, and I think the World Cup and the Olympics really sold a lot of people on just how amazing our women athletes are.
‘They’re very marketable. People want to watch them. So we’re giving people what they want.’
