Rough & Tumble offers an inclusive space for all patrons. The space includes jerseys from local women’s sports stars and a large range of food and drink options.
Courtesy of Rough & Tumble
Rough & Tumble, the first women’s sports bar in Seattle and second in the country, has expanded to a second location, marking a significant milestone in the growing landscape of women’s sports visibility and community engagement.
Owner Jen Barnes, celebrating the two-year anniversary of her first establishment, opened the new venue as a testament to the increasing momentum of women’s sports. When the first bar launched, only 5% of sports media coverage was dedicated to women’s sports. That number is projected to reach nearly 20% by year’s end.
“I knew when I opened Rough & Tumble that we were right on the precipice of something big,” Barnes said. “We are helping build that fan base and create community around watching women’s sports.”
The expansion reflects Barnes’ strategic vision for growth. “We had to double our staff to open this location,” she explained. “We hired all of our staff about three or four weeks ago, and they’ve been training at our original Ballard location, getting ready to open this new space.”
Community Impact and Partnerships
Rough & Tumble owner Jen Barnes and 3XBA Co-Founder and President Alanna McDonald have a long-standing partnership to promote the first 3×3 women’s basketball in the country.
Courtesy of Rough & Tumble
Rough & Tumble’s influence extends far beyond its physical walls. As a key sponsor of 3XBA, the country’s first 3×3 women’s basketball league, the bar has become a critical catalyst in the women’s sports ecosystem.
Alanna McDonald, Co-Founder & President of 3XBA, praised the bar’s role: “Rough & Tumble has become a true focal point for the sports community, a hub that connects builders, innovators, and audiences pushing the game forward. For 3XBA, they’ve been more than partners; they’ve been catalysts, creating spaces both physical and digital that amplify voices.”
The bar has also developed strategic partnerships with Togethxr, the women’s sports media company co-owned by Seattle sports legend Sue Bird. Sarah Bergstrom, head of operations at Togethxr, highlighted the significance of such spaces.
“Rough & Tumble is more than just a bar,” Bergstrom said. “It’s a place where community happens, where someone discovers their new favorite sport or finally finds a group to watch games with.”
Barnes emphasizes that inclusivity is at the core of their mission. “We’re creating a space where everybody’s welcome regardless of what sport you want to watch,” she said. “It’s a space for queer people and straight people, cis people and trans people, whether they like or don’t know that they’re going to fall in love with women’s sports or not.”
The bar has intentionally carved out a community space that embraces diversity, serving sports fans of all backgrounds. Despite challenges in Seattle’s competitive restaurant industry, the business has found success by investing directly in women’s sports.
“Women’s sports is the best place to put your money,” Barnes asserted. “We’ve very intentionally created a space for all of us, especially carving out space for women athletes who are underrepresented.”
The opening of the second Rough & Tumble location underscores a broader trend of growing recognition and support for women’s sports, positioning the bar at the forefront of this cultural shift. The new bar is located at 4914 Rainier Avenue South in Columbia City, south Seattle.