Philadelphia's first ever queer women's sports bar set to be a slam dunk

Women’s sports are gaining popularity every year, and not only are many of the fans queer, but many of the players are too, which is why Philadelphia is set to open its first-ever queer women’s sports bar.

Philly native Chivonn Anderson is about to open Marsha’s, a brand new sports bar and venue on South Street at the end of the summer that will be an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community and women to enjoy sports.

"Marsha’s is more than a bar; it’s a vibrant, inclusive space where everyone can feel welcome, safe, and seen,” Anderson told NBC Philadelphia. “The venue features a dynamic mix of women’s sports, local Philly teams, and queer film and television, all paired with an elevated food and drink menu," Marsha's shared in a press release. "Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or just looking for a place to be yourself, Marsha’s is your home away from home.”

Anderson isn't the only one who thinks queer-inclusive women’s sports bars are a winning format. In fact, it has been so wildly successful at Portland’s Sport Bra that they are in the process of opening four franchise locations across the country.

The bar’s name, a tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender gay liberation activist who was a prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising, is emblematic of the planned ethos for the bar: to celebrate queer history and welcome everyone.

"South Street was the only place I ever felt comfortable growing up,” explained Anderson, who grew up in the neighborhood in the ‘90s. “Creating Marsha’s on the corner of South Street and Passyunk Ave feels like a full-circle moment. It’s about building the kind of bar everyone feels welcome stepping foot in.”

There are currently only 36 lesbian bars in the entire United States, but Marsha’s will bring that number up to 37.