Clarissa Flores, a former Division I basketball player for Northwestern University, is set to transform the Chicago sports landscape with the opening of Level Sporting Club. Situated just steps away from the iconic Wrigley Field, this upcoming establishment is Chicago’s newest entry in the booming national movement of women’s sports bars. Scheduled for a late April 2026 debut, the venue aims to provide a dedicated home for fans of the WNBA, NWSL, and collegiate women’s athletics, ensuring that female athletes are never again treated as a secondary request at the bar.
The Deep Dive
For decades, sports fans looking to watch women’s athletics in public spaces have faced a familiar hurdle: asking a bartender to change the channel. Clarissa Flores, whose career spans two decades in elite hospitality with groups like TAO, is determined to end that era. With Level Sporting Club, she is not just opening a business; she is building a sanctuary for a fandom that has long been underserved despite its massive growth.
From the Hardwood to Hospitality
Flores’ connection to the game is deeply personal. A standout guard at Northwestern (Communication ’03) and a former member of the Puerto Rican national team, she credits basketball for the trajectory of her life. After transitioning into the hospitality sector, where she managed large-scale venues like V LIVE and oversaw operations for the TAO Group, she realized she had the unique skillset required to combine her two passions.
“My mission is to bring women’s sports the visibility it has deserved for years,” Flores said in a recent interview. By placing the bar in Wrigleyville—Chicago’s most dense “entertainment corridor”—she is making a bold statement about where women’s sports belong: right in the middle of the action.
More Than Just Screens
The physical space at 3343 N. Clark St. is being reimagined as a two-story community hub. The design, spearheaded by collaborator Candace, moves away from the sterile modernism of some new venues in favor of a “homey” Chicago institution feel. Expect black subway tiles, red velvet accents, and an atmosphere that invites fans to stay for the entire game.
To ensure the culinary experience matches the high-energy environment, Flores partnered with Chef Amanda Barnes. Barnes, known for her work at TAO Chicago and Le Colonial, is crafting an elevated gastropub menu that promises to satisfy foodies and sports fans alike. This commitment to quality reflects the broader philosophy of Level Sporting Club: women’s sports fans deserve a premium, well-curated environment.
A Movement of Representation
Flores, who identifies as “Flippe Rican” (Puerto Rican and Filipino), has intentionally built a leadership and investor team comprised primarily of queer women, former athletes, and people of color. This diversity is central to the bar’s identity. While Level Sporting Club will still show major men’s sporting events like Cubs games, the “standard” will be women’s athletics. It follows a successful blueprint established by trailblazers like The Sports Bra in Portland and Babe’s in Logan Square, contributing to an ecosystem that proves women’s sports can anchor a thriving business.
FAQ: People Also Ask
Where is Level Sporting Club located?
The bar is located at 3343 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood, approximately a ten-minute walk from Wrigley Field.
When does the women’s sports bar in Wrigleyville open?
Level Sporting Club is currently targeting an opening date in late April or early May 2026, coinciding with the start of the WNBA and NWSL seasons.
Who is the owner of Level Sporting Club?
Clarissa Flores is the founder and CEO. She is a former Northwestern University basketball player and a high-level hospitality executive with experience at TAO Group and Lodge Management Group.
