OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Women’s sports are exploding, especially in Nebraska.
Last August, the University of Nebraska set the world record for the most attended women’s sporting event ever: Volleyball Day in Lincoln.
Just a state over, phenom Caitlin Clark captured the nation’s attention.
Two Omaha women and former athletes, co-founders of “SET The Bar” are stepping up to satisfy the hunger.
“I think it’s actually a little late. Wish we would’ve done this a little earlier,” said co-founder Amy Hannesson.
It’ll be located in the Benson District at 62nd and Maple Streets.
The co-founders, Amy Hannesson and Molly Huyck hope to highlight women’s sports on the big screen with audio, which sometimes is hard to get at a regular bar.
“When trying just to view critical games at home, you have to have 12 different apps, different subscriptions to even get access to those games,” said Hannesson. “We’re going to have all of that facilitated here at SET The Bar.”
Their design features a large TV or two behind the bar, along with other, smaller TVs around the restaurant.
In Omaha, Hannesson said while they will highlight women the big-screen, they’ll also play popular men’s sporting events too.
“It is about elevating and lifting up women athletes as well, and it is not for women only,” said Hannesson.
In fact, Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen said he plans to take his family.
“I have girls that are volleyball payers. They’d be really excited to come to a venue like this and watch it,” said Festersen.
SET The Bar joins just a handful of women-focused sports bars in the country.
Rumble & Tumble Pub in Seattle is one of them. They became the second women’s sports bar in the nation.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” said owner Jen Barnes. “We’re usually packed in here, and it’s a lot of fun. I’m so excited about this new sister that’s coming to Omaha.”
The two businesses are already acquainted, actually.
SET The Bar co-founder, Molly Huyck, was inspired when she visited Rough & Tumble Pub last Sept. when she visited Seattle.
“There’s a lot of women’s sports fans out there and not enough place to watch women’s sports,” said Barnes.
Huyck and seven other women enjoyed Huskers Volleyball in an environment they too hope to cultivate in Nebraska.
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