Los Angeles is buzzing with a new kind of sports enthusiasm, and at its heart is Silver Lake’s Untamed Spirits, the city’s inaugural women-centered sports bar. Opening its doors in June 2025, this pioneering establishment marks a significant moment for sports fans in Los Angeles, aiming to provide a dedicated and inclusive space that reflects the rapidly growing popularity of women’s athletics.
The Genesis of a Vision: From Frustration to Foundation
The idea for Untamed Spirits was born from a simple yet illuminating experience shared by its founders, wife-and-wife duo Stephanie and Janie Ellingwood. While attending a US Women’s National Team soccer game at a local bar, they were denied the simple request to turn up the volume, despite a growing crowd of fellow fans eager to watch. This experience highlighted a glaring gap: the lack of venues where women’s sports were not just an afterthought, but a priority. “We want us to be free, and be able to watch what we want to watch and be who we want to be,” Stephanie Ellingwood told LAist in anticipation of the bar’s grand opening. This frustration quickly transformed into a mission to create a space that champions women’s sports, elevates female athletes, and builds a strong sense of community. Untamed Spirits, located in the former Trophy Wife space in Silver Lake, is the tangible result of this vision, a place designed to celebrate inclusivity, empowerment, and the shared passion for sports.
A Haven for All Fans: Inclusivity at its Core
While Untamed Spirits proudly centers women’s sports—showcasing everything from major leagues like the WNBA and NWSL to more niche disciplines like kayaking—it is explicitly designed to be a welcoming environment for everyone. The bar plays all sports, ensuring that no fan feels excluded. The space itself is a testament to this inclusive ethos, featuring a sleek, modern design with a signature pink neon sign proclaiming “Welcome to the Untamed Era,” alongside black-and-white murals and a plant-filled patio. The bar is also dog-friendly during the day and kid-friendly, shifting to a 21+ vibe after 9 PM, further enhancing its appeal to a broad audience.
Capitalizing on a Cultural Shift: The Rise of Women’s Sports
The opening of Untamed Spirits arrives at a pivotal moment, coinciding with an unprecedented surge in the popularity and viewership of women’s athletics. Recent statistics paint a compelling picture: the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament captivated nearly 19 million viewers, a staggering figure that saw its championship game outdraw some men’s events. The WNBA draft viewership has skyrocketed, and the league itself has seen significant increases in engagement. Advertising investment in women’s sports has also surged, with $244 million spent in 2024, marking a 139% increase year-over-year. This growth is fueled by a new generation of star athletes and increased broadcast accessibility, signaling a fundamental shift in how sports are consumed and valued. Untamed Spirits is positioned to be a direct beneficiary and a key participant in this evolving sports landscape.
Fostering Community and Celebration
Beyond screening games, Untamed Spirits aims to be a vibrant community hub. The bar has partnered with the Angel City Football Club (ACFC), becoming an official bar partner and planning significant watch parties, including an upcoming match against Gotham FC on September 7th. The Ellingwoods, themselves Day One season ticket holders for ACFC, envision the bar as a place for connection, hosting regular events like trivia nights and day parties. This focus on community over competition is echoed by Jax Diener, owner of Long Beach’s Watch Me! bar, who has expressed support for this burgeoning network of women’s sports venues. Many consider this movement to be more than a fleeting trend; it’s viewed as a significant cultural evolution.
Silver Lake’s Newest Sports Destination
Nestled within the eclectic and vibrant Silver Lake neighborhood, Untamed Spirits is poised to become a landmark destination for sports fans seeking a more inclusive and spirited experience. As more women’s sports bars open across the country, Untamed Spirits stands as a proud testament to the growing demand for dedicated spaces that celebrate female athletes and their passionate fan bases. This new bar isn’t just serving drinks; it’s serving a cultural shift, inviting Los Angeles to embrace the untamed spirit of women’s sports.
