When the first clock ticked down to tip-off on a Saturday afternoon, the modest space of Drawdown Brewing in Jamaica Plain filled faster than its taps. Strangers huddled around four wall-mounted televisions, all eyes fixed on Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. A three-point buzzer-beater from Gabby Williams sparked a roar; a hard finish and foul call on Angel Reese produced an equally thunderous reaction. The bar rose as a single, noisy organism, illustrating how a dedicated women’s sports bar can galvanize a community that was, only a few years earlier, forced to watch games in silence.
The surge of women-focused sports venues
In 2022 the United States counted just one bar that openly marketed itself to women’s athletics. By the following year, the landscape had shifted dramatically, with more than twenty-five establishments proudly displaying schedules for women’s leagues. This rapid expansion reflected the rising viewership of the WNBA and other female-led competitions. Drawdown Brewing entered the scene in 2023, directly answering Boston’s lack of a space where fans could reliably find women’s games on the screen. The venue’s owners, Liz Nicol and her wife Jenn Batore, turned a neighborhood taproom into a sanctuary for fans who wanted to cheer without judgment.
Drawdown Brewing: a case study in inclusive hospitality
Liz Nicol spent a decade perfecting home-brew recipes before earning VinePair’s “Brewer of the Year” award. Together with Jenn Batore, she created a queer-owned bar that balances “filler” men’s games with a core focus on women’s sports. The chalk-board menu showcases drinks with playful, identity-affirming names—an IPA titled “LGBTQIPA+,” a hard seltzer called “Gaydarade” (also offered non-alcoholic), and a seasonal Scotch Ale named “No Scotland, No Party.” A shirt printed with “Beers, Gays, Sports” hangs beneath one of the screens, reinforcing the venue’s inclusive vibe.
Regulars treat Drawdown like a personal “Cheers.” Noah Tobin, who stops by at least weekly, summed it up with a simple declaration: “This is my Cheers.” He appreciates the certainty that, even on solo visits, a fellow enthusiast will be nearby, ready to discuss a favorite player or a pivotal play. The bar’s intimacy—only 30-40 seats plus standing room for nearly a hundred—means conversations happen organically, whether over a Dallas Wings hat, a Connecticut Sun jersey, or a WNBA Playa Society tee proclaiming, “The WNBA is so important.”
Game night atmosphere and the historic 2026 finals
By 3 p.m., the venue was packed. Fans perched on window ledges, others stood shoulder-to-shoulder, all united by the televised contest. The crowd showed no allegiance to a local team—Massachusetts no longer hosts a franchise after the Connecticut Sun’s sale to Houston—but supporters of both finalists were clearly present. Valkyries merchandise dotted the bar, yet a noticeable surge of Dream gear appeared whenever Angel Reese secured a bucket. Despite the split loyalties, the atmosphere remained friendly; no one shouted at opposing fans, only celebrated good basketball.
Among the attendees was Andrea Lackey from Orange County, California, visiting Boston University with her husband Dan. She arrived wearing a WNBA All-Star Game jersey bought in Chicago, explaining that she follows individual players rather than teams, traveling worldwide—from a FIBA tournament in Berlin to upcoming games in Australia—to see her favorites, including rookie Atlanta Dream guard Isobel Borlase.
Shelley Harrison, a self-confessed Las Vegas Aces devotee, admitted feeling conflicted because her team fell to Golden State in the previous round. Yet she appreciated the blend of die-hard enthusiasts and casual playoff tourists, noting that the bar’s vibe was “just fun.” When the final buzzer sounded, the Valkyries edged the Dream 68-64, prompting half the room to explode in cheers while the rest applauded a tightly contested series opener.
The night underscored a larger truth: when a venue like Drawdown Brewing commits to broadcasting women’s sports, it creates a gathering place that transcends geography, team allegiance, and even personal expertise. Fans from Boston, California, and beyond found common ground, proving that a well-curated women’s sports bar can become a lasting home for a growing fan base.
