Austin’s First Women’s Sports Bar Set to Open on Guadalupe Street

By Giorgy Ruiz

Reporting Texas

1972 Pub remains under construction on Guadalupe Street in Austin as of March 13.

Women’s sports are about to get a new kind of recognition in Austin. Set to open on March 19, 1972 Pub will be the city’s first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women’s collegiate and professional athletics. 

The pub will take over the former Moody Kitchen and Bar on Guadalupe Street, aiming to create a community space where fans can gather and celebrate female athletes. The name 1972 is a nod to Title IX, the landmark legislation that mandated gender equity in education and athletics. Co-founder Debra Hallum said the goal is to create a space where women’s sports are not an afterthought but the main attraction.

“We wanted to do something different,” Hallum said. “Most sports bars will put a women’s game on if you ask, but here, you won’t have to. Women’s sports will always be on, and fans will always have a place to come together.”

The pub has already gained support from Austin Valkyries, the city’sAustin’s women’s rugby team and is in contact with other local women’s sports organizations. Hallum also hopes to host bonding events, giving fans and athletes the chance to connect beyond just watching games.

A Leap of Faith and Community Support

Opening the bar has not come without challenges. Hallum and her team initially funded the project out of their own pockets, taking a big leap of faith to bring their vision to life. Since then, generous donations from organizations across Austin have helped support the pub’s launch, and a crowdfunding campaign is underway to ensure the space reaches its full potential.

With the NCAA women’s tournament approaching, 1972 Pub is preparing for its first big watch parties. Texas women’s basketball guard Shay Holle said the visibility and growing support for women’s sports have been exciting to witness.

“The growth of the last five years has been so much fun,” Holle said. “It makes me proud—not just for myself, but for all female athletes. I know the work that goes in every single day, and it’s just awesome to see.”

Beyond being a gathering place for fans, 1972 Pub aims to drive more engagement in women’s sports at the university level. Naomi Murphy, vice president ofof a student organization called The Charge, a student organization that promotes Texas women’s basketball, said she hopes which brings more attention to the Texas women’s basketball team, partnering with the pub, said she hopes the space will help bring more attention to Texas women’s athletics.

“We have this great team that isn’t getting the recognition they should,” Murphy said. “Hopefully, with this pub and our efforts to bring people together, both the pub and our girls get the attention they deserve.”

A Women-Led Space

The commitment to supporting women goes beyond what is on the screens. Every worker at 1972 Pub will be a woman, including a female head chef creating a menu with her own original recipes. The pub is also partnering with women-owned alcohol brands to supply its drinks, ensuring that the mission of uplifting women extends to every aspect of the business.

The pub is expected to open by March 19, just in time for the first and second rounds of the NCAA women’s tournament. 

For updates, follow @1972Pub on social media.