A Bar of Their Own has cemented its place as a groundbreaking, historic addition to the Twin Cities’ hospitality matrix. Opening its doors in March 2024 in the vibrant, community-oriented Seward neighborhood of South Minneapolis, this queer- and women-owned establishment carries the monumental distinction of being Minnesota’s very first sports bar dedicated exclusively to broadcasting women’s sports. Founded by local sports enthusiasts determined to create a space that uplifts and celebrates women athletes, the bar breathes new life into the historic building on East Franklin Avenue that previously housed the beloved Tracy’s Saloon. It successfully reimagines the traditional American sports taproom as an explicitly inclusive, progressive sanctuary built for fans of all genders, backgrounds, and ages.
The layout inside A Bar of Their Own beautifully respects its deep neighborhood roots while making modern modifications tailored for sports viewing. Walls that once held standard brewery mirrors are now adorned with iconic frames showcasing legendary women athletes, collegiate pennants, and professional sports memorabilia. Dozens of flat-screen televisions wrap around the space, meticulously tuned to everything from WNBA matchups and PWHL hockey games to collegiate volleyball, professional soccer leagues, and gymnastics. The aesthetic is a comfortable blend of retro tavern familiarity and clean, contemporary energy. The lighting is bright and engaging, shifting to a more ambient glow post-game. The noise level is unapologetically active, energetic, and social—surging into a boisterous roar when home teams score, yet maintaining a friendly baseline that welcomes families with young children in the early afternoon just as easily as it does rowdy fan clubs at night.
Culinarily, A Bar of Their Own delivers an exceptional menu of scratch-cooked pub comfort foods that elevate the standard expectations of sports bar grub. In a nod to its predecessor, the kitchen wisely retained the famous “Throwback Wings” from Tracy’s Saloon, letting patrons order a pound of crispy chicken wings tossed in iconic house dry rubs or sauces. The rest of the menu is heavily modern, featuring juicy double beef smash patties layered with secret sauces on toasted buns, alongside the celebrated “Brunson’s Vegan Burger”—a robust house-made patty built entirely from black beans, quinoa, roasted red peppers, and mushrooms, named affectionately after WNBA icon Rebekkah Brunson.
What truly sets the kitchen engine apart is its incredible intentionality regarding dietary flexibilities. Gluten-free and dairy-free sports fans don’t have to settle for basic side salads; instead, they can gorge on crispy, gluten-free battered “Chicken Dunks,” massive piles of “Flipping Totchos” smothered in smooth queso blanco, black bean hummus, and fresh pico de gallo, or creative, vegetable-heavy bowls loaded with kimchi cabbage and guajillo cauliflower.
The beverage program mirrors this modern, universally accommodating blueprint. At the massive central bar, sports fans can explore a sprawling selection of tap craft beers showcasing regional Midwestern breweries, local ciders, and a tight menu of classic mixed cocktails. Understanding that modern social spaces require varied alternative refreshments, the bar boasts an extensive selection of zero-proof offerings, featuring top-tier non-alcoholic craft IPAs and sours from brands like Untitled Art, botanical mocktails, and refreshing local THC beverage options.
Operationally, A Bar of Their Own prioritizes direct transparency and equitable neighborhood service. True to its classic pub ethos, the bar functions entirely on a walk-in basis, fostering an organic, first-come, first-served game-day camaraderie. For payment processing convenience, the bar adds a transparent 3% surcharge to credit card payments to offset merchant swipe fees, while keeping cash and mobile tap payments standard. By turning the spotlight onto world-class women’s athletics while dishing out exceptional, allergy-conscious comfort food, A Bar of Their Own is more than a neighborhood joint; it is a cultural movement leading the charge in the modern Twin Cities sports scene.
