Austin is about to welcome its first-ever women’s sports pub. Aptly named 1972 Pub—a nod to the year Title IX was enacted—the bar was founded to provide equal access to sports coverage and create an inclusive space for fans to support their favorite teams. Founders Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis were inspired to launch the concept after noticing the lack of visibility and opportunities for women’s sports.
“Our mission is to elevate and amplify women’s sports by creating a space where they are the priority—not an afterthought,” Hallum and Plessis tell Time Out via email. They chose Austin for its passionate sports community and growing interest in women’s athletics. “We wanted to create a space that reflects those values while ensuring women’s sports get the visibility they deserve,” they say.
The pub will offer ample seating, big screens and a dedicated watch party area. Guests can expect coverage of everything from the WNBA, NWSL, NCAA women’s sports and LPGA to women’s tennis, UFC women’s matches and global events like the Women’s World Cup and the Olympics. To enhance the experience, 1972 Pub will showcase signed memorabilia donated by professional, collegiate and local athletes, along with a Wall of Fame where athletes can leave their mark.
Set to open in March, 1972 Pub is currently accepting donations to help cover renovations, furniture, licenses, living wages for employees and to make the space a reality for Austinites. “If there’s a women’s sporting event happening, we want to make sure fans have a place to watch it,” the founders say.