Logan Square, Chicago – A new beacon for women’s sports enthusiasts has officially opened its doors in Chicago’s vibrant Logan Square neighborhood. Babe’s Sports Bar, located at 3017 W. Armitage Ave., is carving out a unique niche in the city’s bustling nightlife, offering a dedicated space where women’s athletics take center stage, complete with sound and dedicated viewing.
A Vision Born from Frustration
The brainchild of former college rugby co-captains Nora McConnell-Johnson and Torra Spillane, Babe’s Sports Bar stems from a shared frustration with the common struggle of finding venues that prioritize women’s sports. “I think so much of this world was designed by and for men, and this is a bar for women’s sports,” McConnell-Johnson told Block Club Chicago. “I’m trying to rethink for myself what a bar should be and what we want the space to be.” This sentiment echoes the experiences of many fans who have often found themselves asking bartenders to change the channel or relegated to watching games on mute. Babe’s aims to be the antithesis of this experience, creating a welcoming and intentional gathering place for all who champion women in sports.
A Community-Driven Dream
Babe’s journey from concept to reality was significantly fueled by a crowdfunding campaign that garnered approximately $78,000 in community support. This substantial backing underscores the demand for such a venue and the community’s investment in its success. The bar’s design also reflects this collaborative spirit, featuring memorabilia collected from local community members who have participated in women’s sports, integrated into elements like the bar top made from flooring from a former ballet studio and epoxied tabletops. The space is designed to feel like a “vintage gymnasium,” exuding an old-school charm that honors the history and legacy of women athletes.
The bar is named in tribute to Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, a pioneering athlete of the 1930s and 40s renowned for her achievements across multiple sports, including golf, track and field, and basketball. McConnell-Johnson envisions the bar as a place that celebrates women athletes not as exceptions, but as the norm, fostering an environment where their excellence is consistently celebrated.
A New Standard for Sports Bars
Babe’s Sports Bar officially opened its doors on Saturday, September 28, 2025, with a grand opening celebration that saw a line of patrons stretching down the block, indicating overwhelming community enthusiasm. The bar features eight televisions, capable of showing four games simultaneously, ensuring that fans don’t miss any of the action. The programming will exclusively feature women’s sports, including games from Chicago’s professional women’s teams such as the Chicago Sky (WNBA), Chicago Stars FC (women’s soccer), Chicago Tempest women’s rugby, Chicago Winds women’s football, and the Windy City Rollers women’s roller derby team. Beyond professional leagues, Babe’s also plans to showcase other sports like volleyball, softball, cyclocross, and gymnastics.
Beyond its dedication to broadcasting women’s sports, Babe’s is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment. Considerations have been made in the design, such as slightly shorter bar counters and stools, to better accommodate women. The bar is also collaborating with Clean Air Club to ensure robust air filtration systems are in place.
Impact on Chicago’s Nightlife Scene
The opening of Babe’s signifies a notable development in Chicago’s diverse nightlife and sports bar scenes. While bars like Whiskey Girl Tavern in Edgewater have also been recognized for showing women’s games, Babe’s distinguishes itself by being Chicago’s first bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. This venture capitalizes on the surging interest and viewership in women’s athletics, a trend observed nationwide. As noted by Heather Robert, co-owner of Edgewater’s Whiskey Tavern Girl, “the growth of the audience for women’s sports has been tremendous”.
Babe’s joins a growing national movement of women’s sports bars, such as The Sports Bra in Portland and A Bar of Their Own in Minneapolis, catering to fans who have historically been underserved. Its success could potentially influence other establishments to better accommodate and highlight women’s sports, thereby broadening the appeal and accessibility of these games within the broader sports bar culture. The Logan Square neighborhood itself is known for its eclectic, artsy, and community-driven vibe, making it a fitting location for a venue that prioritizes inclusivity and dedicated fan experiences.
Babe’s Sports Bar is not just a place to watch games; it is a testament to community passion, a celebration of female athletes, and a bold statement about the evolving landscape of sports fandom and nightlife. The initial overwhelming response, including having to close early on its second day due to popular demand, suggests that Babe’s has quickly become a treasured addition to Chicago’s social and sports landscape.
