The landscape of sports viewing in Los Angeles has gained a significant new player with the recent opening of Untamed Spirits in Silver Lake. Positioned as the city’s first dedicated women’s sports bar, this establishment arrives at a time of unprecedented growth and interest in women’s athletics, aiming to provide a welcoming space for fans. Founded by local married couple Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood, the venue is more than just a place to watch games; it represents a growing community and a timely response to a burgeoning demand.
The Genesis of Untamed Spirits
The concept for Untamed Spirits was born from a personal frustration shared by its founders, Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood. As avid fans themselves, the couple experienced difficulty finding a public venue where they could reliably watch women’s sports, specifically recalling a challenging attempt to view a women’s soccer game elsewhere. This experience illuminated a void in the Los Angeles market – a lack of dedicated spaces prioritizing female athletes and their fans. Driven by this realization and their passion for women’s sports – they are dedicated season-ticket holders for both the L.A. Sparks WNBA team and the Angel City Football Club NWSL team – the Ellingwoods embarked on creating the kind of venue they wished existed. The bar officially opened its doors in early June, strategically coinciding with the beginning of Pride Month, further signaling its commitment to inclusivity and community.
A Designed Space for Fandom
Located in the space previously occupied by Trophy Wife in the vibrant Silver Lake neighborhood, Untamed Spirits has undergone a transformation to reflect its new identity. The interior boasts a sleek, modern design intended to be both stylish and functional for sports viewing. Key aesthetic elements include a prominent neon pink sign declaring “Welcome to the Untamed Era,” black and white illustrations that add a distinct visual flair, and numerous televisions strategically placed throughout the space to ensure multiple games can be viewed simultaneously. The bar also features a spacious outdoor patio, designed to offer a relaxed atmosphere for patrons. This area is adorned with plants, enhancing its appeal, and includes a clear declaration of its purpose: a sign prominently states, “Watch Women’s Sports Here.” This design philosophy underscores the bar’s core mission while providing a comfortable and inviting environment for its clientele.
Beyond the Screen: Culinary and Community Offerings
While the primary focus of Untamed Spirits is undeniably showcasing women’s sports, the establishment recognizes the importance of a comprehensive hospitality experience. The bar features an internationally-influenced food menu, offering diverse culinary options designed to complement the viewing experience. Among the featured items is kimchi fried rice, signaling a willingness to explore flavors beyond traditional sports bar fare. Although specializing in a wide array of women’s sports, including those considered more niche, the bar also acknowledges the broader sports landscape by showing men’s sports as well, aiming to be a gathering place for all sports enthusiasts while elevating the visibility of female athletes. The Ellingwoods envision Untamed Spirits as more than just a place to watch games; they aim to cultivate a community hub for fans of women’s sports, fostering connections and celebrating athletic achievement.
Riding the Wave of Women’s Sports Growth
The opening of Untamed Spirits is remarkably timely, aligning with a significant and well-documented surge in the popularity and commercial viability of women’s sports. Recent statistics highlight this dramatic shift: the audience for the WNBA draft, for instance, saw a staggering increase of 511%. Across the league, overall interest in the WNBA grew by 29% between 2023 and 2024 alone. This heightened engagement is also translating into substantial investment from advertisers. In 2024, television advertisers collectively spent $244 million on women’s sports, representing a remarkable 139% rise compared to the previous year. These figures underscore a clear market demand and a cultural shift that founders Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood acutely recognized. The Ellingwoods echo a sentiment increasingly heard among fans and commentators alike: “It’s a movement,” reflecting the current trajectory of women’s athletics from being a niche interest to a mainstream phenomenon.
Part of a Growing Trend
Untamed Spirits enters a landscape where dedicated spaces for women’s sports fans, while still relatively few, are steadily increasing. The Silver Lake establishment joins a small but growing community of such bars emerging across the region and the country. Notably, Watch Me! Sports Bar recently opened in Long Beach, signaling a localized trend towards creating specific venues centered around women’s athletics. This emergence of specialized sports bars reflects not only the increasing demand driven by viewership and interest but also a desire among fans for inclusive and supportive environments where they can celebrate their favorite teams and athletes without feeling marginalized or overlooked.
Conclusion
Untamed Spirits in Silver Lake stands as a pioneering venue in the city of Los Angeles, addressing a clear need identified by its founders, Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood. By offering a dedicated space that prioritizes women’s sports within a stylish, modern setting complete with an appealing food menu, the bar is poised to become a vital hub for the city’s growing community of women’s sports enthusiasts. Its opening is a direct reflection of the powerful momentum currently driving women’s athletics, embodying the “movement” that is capturing widespread attention and investment. As the popularity of women’s sports continues its upward trajectory, establishments like Untamed Spirits play a crucial role in providing the visibility and community spaces that fans have long sought.
