# Philadelphia Makes History: Marsha’s Opens as the City’s First Women’s Sports Bar

*A new kind of sports bar is coming to South Street, where women’s athletics, LGBTQ+ community, and inclusive celebration converge in one revolutionary space.*

Philadelphia is about to witness something unprecedented. On September 19, 2025, Marsha’s will swing open its doors at 430 South Street, marking a historic moment as the city’s first-ever women’s sports bar with strong LGBTQ+ community focus. But this isn’t just another watering hole with TVs—it’s a bold statement about representation, community, and the power of creating spaces where everyone belongs.

## More Than a Bar: A Movement

Founded by Philadelphia native Chivonn Anderson, Marsha’s represents something deeply personal and profoundly political. The name itself carries weight, honoring Marsha P. Johnson, the iconic Black transgender activist whose courage helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. In choosing this name, Anderson isn’t just paying homage—she’s declaring that this space will embody Johnson’s spirit of fearless advocacy and radical inclusivity.

“I want to make Marsha’s an anchor for Philadelphia — for the queer community, for the sports community, and for anybody that just wants to go out and have fun and feel safe and be seen,” Anderson explains. It’s a mission statement that speaks to something missing in Philadelphia’s sports bar landscape: a place where women’s athletics take center stage, where queer stories are celebrated, and where community building happens alongside game watching.

## A Space Designed for Everyone

The concept behind Marsha’s addresses a glaring gap in how we consume sports entertainment. While women’s sports continue to shatter viewership records and capture hearts nationwide, finding a dedicated space to watch and celebrate these athletes has remained elusive. Marsha’s changes that equation entirely.

The programming reflects this commitment to representation. Women’s sports will dominate the main screens, with Philadelphia’s beloved professional teams also featured prominently. But Marsha’s goes beyond traditional sports programming—additional TVs will showcase LGBTQ+ film and television, ensuring that diverse stories remain visible and celebrated within the space.

This thoughtful curation extends to the bar’s offerings as well. Guests will find timeless bar favorites alongside a rotating selection of signature cocktails and mocktails, creating an atmosphere that’s both familiar and refreshingly unique.

## South Street’s Personal Connection

For Anderson, the choice of South Street location carries deep personal significance. As an LGBTQ+ Philadelphia native, South Street once served as her refuge—a neighborhood where she discovered pockets of safety, identity, and authentic expression. Now, years later, opening Marsha’s just steps away from where she once sought that sense of belonging represents a full-circle moment of extraordinary meaning.

This connection transforms Marsha’s from a business venture into something more profound: a gift to future generations of people seeking the same sense of community and acceptance that Anderson found on these very streets.

## Opening Weekend and Beyond

Marsha’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 19, welcoming the public to experience this groundbreaking space firsthand. The grand opening weekend runs through Sunday, September 21, offering extended hours for the community to explore what promises to become a Philadelphia landmark.

Starting September 24, Marsha’s will operate Wednesday through Sunday, with weekend hours extending into the early morning to accommodate the vibrant nightlife culture that South Street is known for. These hours reflect Anderson’s understanding that community happens at all times of day and night.

## The Bigger Picture

Marsha’s arrival couldn’t be more timely. As women’s sports experience unprecedented growth in popularity and media coverage, and as LGBTQ+ visibility in athletics continues to expand, Philadelphia needed a space that celebrates these intersections. Marsha’s fills that void while honoring the activists and trailblazers who made such progress possible.

The bar represents more than a business opening—it’s a statement about whose stories matter, whose victories deserve celebration, and whose communities deserve dedicated spaces. In a sports landscape that has historically marginalized women and LGBTQ+ athletes, Marsha’s stands as a beacon of what’s possible when inclusion drives innovation.

## Building Community, One Game at a Time

When Marsha’s opens its doors on September 19, it won’t just be serving drinks and screening games. It will be creating something Philadelphia has never had before: a space where the future of sports culture is being written in real-time, where every person who walks through those doors can see themselves reflected in the programming, the atmosphere, and the community.

For a city known for its passionate sports culture, Marsha’s represents the next evolution—one where passion includes everyone, where community means everyone, and where celebrating sports means celebrating all the athletes who make the games we love possible.

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*Marsha’s is located at 430 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Follow their journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, or visit marshassouthstreet.com for more information.*

Marsha’s will welcome guests with a thoughtfully curated selection of food and drinks. The menu will feature timeless bar favorites alongside a rotating lineup of signature cocktails and mocktails.

Marsha’s Grand Opening Weekend Hours of Operation: 

• Friday, September 19: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
• Saturday, September 20: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
• Sunday, September 21: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. 

Marsha’s Hours of Operation, starting September 24, 2025: 

• Wednesday and Thursday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
• Friday: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. 
• Saturday: 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. 
• Sunday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. 

Photo Credit: Harry Smith

“I want to make Marsha’s an anchor for Philadelphia — for the queer community, for the sports community, and for anybody that just wants to go out and have fun and feel safe and be seen,” said Chivonn Anderson, Founder of Marsha’s.