Small Business Spotlight: A Bar of Their Own
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:30AM
A Bar of Their Own owner Jillian Hiscock Photo credit Sophia Hantzes
If you were looking for a sports bar that celebrates women’s sports, A Bar of Their Own is the ticket. Named Best Local Sports Bar – nationwide – by USA Today, they’ve clearly cracked the code to creating the best space to watch women’s sports. They’ve been open for two years and have seen an explosion of interest in viewing women’s sports in the ‘sports bar’ experience. Keep reading to learn owner Jillian Hiscock’s vision clearly spelled out on creating a space to celebrate women athletes, new professional sports clubs coming to town (two pro volleyball and one pro baseball!) and how to measure success in nonfinancial ways. Mark your calendar to visit at 2207 E Franklin Avenue and follow the innovative business on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Q: You’ve said the idea for A Bar of Their Own came after not being able to watch a women’s game in a typical bar - how common is that experience still today?
A: Unfortunately, it is still common for women’s sports fans to walk into traditional sports bars and not see the games they want to watch on the televisions, because guests tell us about their experiences.
Q: Why was Minneapolis the right place to launch this concept?
A: Minneapolis was a natural choice for this concept because Minnesota is overflowing with talent and passion in women’s sports - especially in teams that consistently win. With professional teams across nearly every women’s league, the city has a strong sports culture that has often overlooked women athletes. As a longtime women’s sports fan, I recognized a community of people like me who were eager for a space to celebrate their fandom - and when we realized that place didn’t exist, my wife and I decided to create it ourselves.
Q: Have you seen a shift in demand or enthusiasm for women’s sports since opening?
A: Since we opened two years ago, we’ve definitely seen enthusiasm for women’s sports grow - and I expect that momentum to keep building. Women’s sports are finally starting to get the media attention they deserve, which naturally brings in new and casual fans. We often hear from guests that they didn’t realize they’d enjoy [insert sport], and almost always it’s because they simply haven’t had the chance to watch it. By making these sports accessible, we’re helping to grow the fan base and create meaningful connections with the teams and athletes.
Q: What games or events have drawn the most surprising or passionate crowds?
A: Honestly, none of the crowds have been surprising to me, because it’s never been surprising that women’s sports fans show up - they just haven’t always had a space to gather before. Some people might be surprised to see a bar packed for a women’s ultimate frisbee game or a high school state dance competition, but we’re not. We love being a place where fans know their favorite athletes and teams will be celebrated, elevated, and taken seriously.
Q: How intentional were you about creating a “safe space,” and how do you maintain that atmosphere?
A: Creating a safe and welcoming space has been one of our top priorities since before we ever opened our doors. We were very intentional about building that environment - from hiring staff with experience fostering inclusive communities, to creating a clear Code of Conduct, to training our team on how to confidently enforce it. Unfortunately, a lot of people have had experiences in sports bars where they felt uncomfortable or unwelcome, whether because of staff or other guests. We’ve worked hard to make sure our space feels different. Our team is attentive, proactive, and willing to address behavior that might be tolerated elsewhere. One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing the community embrace that culture as well - many of our guests feel personally invested in protecting the welcoming, respectful atmosphere we’ve built together.
Q: What role does food and drink play in reinforcing your mission, beyond just being a sports bar?
A: Food and drink have always been an important extension of our mission, not just an addition to the sports bar experience. From the beginning, we wanted our menu to reflect the same sense of inclusivity and care that defines the rest of our space. That meant creating options for guests who often struggle to find choices at traditional sports bars, including a variety of gluten-free and vegan items, as well as dishes that can easily be modified for different dietary needs. We also made the decision to completely eliminate shellfish and peanuts from our menu out of respect for guests with serious allergies.
We were equally intentional about making non-drinkers feel welcome by offering a strong lineup of non-alcoholic beverages, so everyone can feel included regardless of whether they drink alcohol. Ultimately, all of these choices come back to the same idea: thinking carefully about who you want your guests to be and creating an environment where they genuinely feel considered, comfortable, and welcome.
Q: What has been the biggest surprise - positive or negative - since opening?
A: One of the biggest surprises has been how often guests tell us it’s the first time they’ve truly felt like they belonged in a sports-centered space. That’s been incredibly meaningful to hear. So many people - women, men, families, older guests - are used to environments that cater to a very narrow idea of what a “sports fan” looks like. Seeing people feel welcomed, comfortable, and genuinely included has been one of the most rewarding and unexpected parts for me.
Q: How do you measure success: financially, culturally, or something else?
A: There are a lot of ways to measure success, and we pay attention to all of them, from financial performance to guest feedback. But for me personally, one of the most meaningful metrics is staff retention. Since opening in March 2024, 88% of our current team has stayed with us, and that says a lot about the culture we’ve built together. Our staff are the lifeblood of this place - they create the meaningful experiences our guests remember and help uphold the community values that define who we are.
Q: What’s next for the bar - expansion, new programming, partnerships?
A: My goal since the beginning has been to increase awareness and support for women’s sports, and that guides a lot of our planning. We started our non-profit A Fund of Their Own last fall and it’s been really fulfilling to be able to support girls and women in our community who want to be involved in sports. In addition to our existing partnerships with local teams, we have two new women’s professional volleyball leagues coming to the Twin Cities in 2027 (LOVB MN and MLV MN), and we’re excited to be working with both of those teams.
Q: Could you imagine opening additional locations or franchising the concept?
A: We often get asked about additional locations, expanding and franchising, and quite frankly, those are the last things on my mind! While there are certainly times we wish we had more space to accommodate fans on big game nights, we are very happy with our current location, and know there are ways for us to continue to improve what we’re doing here before thinking about adding more space!
Q: What’s a moment inside the bar that made you think, “This is exactly why we did this?”
A: We recently hosted a 5th grade girls basketball team before they attended a Minnesota Lynx game as a group. That is exactly what we dreamed of when we started this place. These young girls will only know of a world where women’s sports is celebrated and amplified to the level that it deserves - and can learn about the trailblazers that got us here while sitting at our restaurant. How can you not be romantic about that?!
Q: If you could sit down with any women athlete (past or present) at your bar, who would it be and why?
A: Oh goodness - I could have one million different answers to this question, but right now the person who I’ve been thinking a lot about is Toni Stone, who lived in St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, near where my wife and I live today. She was the first woman to play professional baseball in a major men's league, and replaced Hank Aaron in the Negro American League when he joined the MLB in 1953. This summer, the new Women’s Professional Baseball League is starting, and I would love to talk to Ms. Stone about what baseball was like when she played, and how we got to where we are today. I’m constantly in awe of the women who have built the foundation for the position women’s sports is in right now, and I love bringing awareness to their stories.
