Women's sports take top billing at new bar
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Title 9 is expected to open next to Square Cafe in East Liberty by mid-April. Photo: Courtesy of Title 9
The city's first bar dedicated exclusively to women's sports is set to open next month, and owner Sherree Goldstein says the space is already generating buzz.
Why it matters: Despite surging viewership and the success of WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, it's still tough to find bars that consistently air women's games, Goldstein says.
- "Sports are part of who we are as Americans, but it's been so unbalanced," she tells Axios. "We're excited that women's sports are getting highlighted, and the response from the public has been amazing."
Driving the news: Goldstein is opening Title 9 adjacent to her popular Square Cafe in East Liberty, joining a national wave of women's sports bars in cities like Portland and Seattle.
Zoom in: The family-friendly tavern has eight TVs, a rooftop patio and large garage windows.
- Its full bar serves cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine.
- The food menu features classic bar staples like wings, snacks and sandwiches, and vegetarian and vegan options.
Context: The name Title 9 is a nod to the 1972 civil rights law ensuring equal opportunities for girls and women in schools that receive federal funds.
What they're saying: "Pittsburgh is a very sports-friendly city, and this just felt like a really good fit for us," Goldstein says. "We want to make sure people realize we're not a 'women's bar.' We're a sports bar watching women's sports. We're really interested in making a space that's safe and fun for everyone."
- She hopes to build an empowering community for women's and girls' teams throughout the region, noting the city's new professional women's soccer team, the Riveters, is preparing for its inaugural season.
The big picture: The number of U.S. bars dedicated to airing women's sports is expected to quadruple this year, from six at the start of 2025 to about two dozen by the end of the year, according to an NBC News analysis.
What's next: Goldstein is hosting a series of March Madness pop-ups this weekend and next, and aims to officially open by mid-April once hiring and staff training wrap up.
If you go: 5997 Centre Ave., East Liberty