Women’s Sports Bars On The Rise: Nashville’s First to Set a Trend in the South
The Resurgence of Lesbian Bars and Women’s Sports
Four years after the pandemic wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry, lesbian bars are making a comeback. Yet in Nashville, this return comes with a new twist: a dedicated sports bar for women’s leagues. Nashville’s only lesbian bar, The Lipstick Lounge, is set to spearhead a growing trend of sports bars that cater specifically to fans of women’s sports, marking a first in the Southern States.
Chapstick Sports Lounge: A Triumph Over Challenges
The year 2020 was fraught with challenges for The Lipstick Lounge; a tornado and a pandemic left the bar fighting for survival. The Lipstick Lounge co-owner Christa Suppan attributed their survival to owning the building outright and financial assistance received in the form of PPP loans. Largely thanks to these factors, the bar’s plan to expand into a sports bar, called Chapstick Sports Lounge, has now come to fruition.
Pioneering a New Trend in Women’s Sports Bars
Despite dropping drastically from nearly 200 in the 80s to less than 20 during the pandemic, the number of lesbian bars across the country is experiencing a resurgence. The Lesbian Bar Project currently puts the tally at 32. In line with this rebirth, there has been a steady increase in bars that cater explicitly to fans of women’s sports. This includes the Sports Bra in Portland, A Bar of Her Own in Minneapolis, the Rough and Tumble Pub in Seattle, and upcoming bars like Althea’s in New York City and Watch Me in Long Beach, California. Today, The Lipstick Lounge joins these bars as the first such establishment in the South, anticipating to launch the Chapstick Sports Lounge in time for Super Bowl Sunday.
Key Factors in The Lipstick Lounge’s Success
Lipstick’s co-owners credit the bar’s survival and subsequent expansion to extensive community support from both queer and non-queer allies. Additionally, local government has also thrown their support behind the project, with representatives and the Mayor participating in groundbreaking events for Chapstick and even declaring a Lipstick Day.
A Trend Mirroring the Growth of Women’s Sports
The recent success of these bars coincides with a boom in women’s sports. Reportedly set to surpass $1 billion in revenue this year for the first time, the rank of women’s sports in the overall sports market rose from roughly 4% to 16% during the pandemic. According to a study by business and talent management company, Wasserman, the increase is largely thanks to the advent of digital streaming platforms, which experienced substantial traffic growth for women’s sports content.
Challenges and Opportunities in Small Business Ownership
While running a small business, especially bars and restaurants, presents a unique set of challenges, the recent success stories demonstrate the potential for prosperity. The Lipstick Lounge and other establishments of its kind not only provide a much-needed social venue for lesbian and queer communities but also bridge the gap for fans of women’s sports, which historically have not received the same level of publicity or support as men’s sports.
Looking to the Future: Chapstick Sports Lounge
After grappling with supply and logistical issues, Chapstick Sports Lounge’s owners are hopeful about the future. Despite considerable concerns about the establishment’s parking situation in the lead-up to its opening, management assures visitors of an orderly and ample parking system, indicating their readiness to welcome new patrons and contribute to the rise in popularity of women’s sports.
