LONG BEACH, Calif. — A group of women head to their local sports bar to catch some football and have a few drinks. The bar is full of rowdy men who sneer at them, seemingly taken aback by the idea that women do, indeed, enjoy going out to cheer on their favorite teams.
This was ten years ago.
For one of the women, Jackie Diener, the events of that day gave way to a dream to create a safe space for women to watch sports. She grew up playing soccer and softball and that, combined with her career in media content production, led to the idea for Watch Me! Sports Bar.
For Diener, the dream lay dormant for a few years until the world’s first women’s sports bar, The Sports Bra, opened in Portland, Oregon in 2022.
Diener and her wife, Megan Eddy, who has more than 20 years of hospitality experience, were inspired and leaned into making their own dreams a reality. In September of last year, they announced to the world their plans to open Watch Me!, a sports bar in Long Beach, California that would show predominantly women’s sports. They would be the first in the state to do so.
“We wanted to flip the script on a traditional sports bar experience,” Diener told Kick The Concrete in an interview at the space. “Typically, women’s sports are shown on a small TV in a corner somewhere with the sound off.”
Any initial fears about whether or not there would be support for their idea were quickly squashed by an outpouring of love and support from the community.
Due, in part, to various crowd-funding campaigns and fundraising events, a permanent location for Watch Me! was secured in June. To date, the bar’s crowd-funding campaign has raised more than $29,000. Their end goal is $180,000, but the owners were able to make the opening happen with what they’ve raised so far.
In a little over a month, the team worked diligently to transform a former Mexican restaurant on PCH into an open and airy hangout, complete with loft seating, plenty of patio space and ample seating for large groups.
Plush cushions on high top chairs flank a u-shaped bar outfitted with metal and concrete, a testament to the idea that not all that is female is dainty and soft. A pop of color on the patio highlights two sports legends, Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe, with a bright green mural painted by local artist Corie Mattie, also known as LA Hope Dealer.
“We want this place to feel comfortable and inviting,” Diener said. “We want people to camp out and enjoy the game for a couple of hours.”
Watch Me! is set to have its grand opening on Friday, which is when the eyes of the world will be fixed on TV screens for the Opening Ceremony of the greatest display of athleticism there is, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
For Diener, opening the bar during the opening ceremonies was always a part of the business plan.
“What better weekend to do it than when everyone’s rooting for the same team?” Diener said.
As for the bar’s namesake? Watch Me! is a battlecry of sorts, a response to the limiting beliefs imposed by others who say things like “women can’t be athletes.”
“Women are just as competitive and fascinating to watch as any other athlete,” Diener said.
Watch Me! is a sports bar that looks to stray from the norm in every way possible, evident in their attention to detail.
The food menu is curated by executive chef Charlie Ray, a traveling Swedish and Black American with many accolades to her name. For Watch Me!, Ray introduced a farm-fresh, seasonal approach to bar cuisine.
“Growing up foraging and fishing in Sweden gave me an appreciation for seasonal and nutrient dense food,” Ray said. “Sustainability is also important.”
The menu features burgers, wings and sandwiches made with seasonal findings such as ethically-sourced microgreens and locally-fermented pickles. There is also a side menu where, in addition to crowd favorites like shoestring fries, guests can purchase a “side of equity.” This allows them to make an impact with their meal by donating to the VOICEINSPORT Foundation, which seeks to close the equity gap for women athletes.
For Ray, toeing the line between approachability and modern cuisine was a challenge, but she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to put her culinary passions on full display. Often, words like “sustainability” and “farm-fresh” are accompanied by hefty price tags and intimidating menu items.
Chef Ray’s approach invites people to experience sports bar classics in a way that nourishes their bodies without breaking the bank. Menu items range from $10 to about $30.
“It’s been different from other experiences I have had,” Ray said. “I’m not getting questioned for my choices. I am being trusted.”
Beyond the kitchen, that same dedication to fresh, seasonal offerings is shared by bar manager Mariah Davenport, who sought to make a menu that is inclusive and approachable.
In addition to a wide range of spirits and craft beer, the bar also features a mocktail menu, complete with signature non-alcoholic house specialties and NA wines and beer.
The cocktail menu includes a nod to Angel Reese, the star WNBA rookie who embodies a Barbie-like persona with her love for all things glam. The cocktail shares her Chi-Town Barbie nickname and features spiced rum, pineapple, coconut water and lemon juice.
Another cocktail, Lavender Menace, mirrors the bar’s identity, embracing the duality of femininity and ruggedness. It’s made with Tito’s vodka, lavender, honey and lemon juice.
Each cocktail features an optional upcharge that allows guests to “upgrade to women-owned” for a cocktail that is made exclusively with women-owned spirits, once more flipping the script on a traditional bar-going experience.
At Watch Me!, women are on the top shelf.
To plan your visit or check out the full menu, visit Watch Me!’s website.
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