The Dub is “not-your-dad’s-sports-bar.”
Photo by Paul Andrews
Kansas City knows sports, but founders of The Dub, Monica Brady and Rachel Glenn, are proving there’s still room to raise the bar. As the minds behind KC’s first-ever women’s sports-focused bar, they’re creating an inclusive environment for fans to gather, watch and celebrate.
KC Options sat down with Monica and Rachel to get the scoop on what it’s all about.
WHAT INITIALLY INSPIRED YOU TO BRING A WOMEN’S SPORTS BAR TO KANSAS CITY?
Monica: We have spent years going to “traditional” sports bars trying to watch a women’s game. The response usually ranged from annoyance to a flat-out “no, we can’t put that on,” so we wanted to create a space where women’s games would always be celebrated. We wanted to create a space we’d want to go to!
WHAT MAKES KC A GOOD BACKDROP FOR A CONCEPT LIKE THIS?
Rachel: Kansas City is rich with community, especially around our local sports teams. Not just our men’s and professional teams — but sports in general, including women’s. Being in a city that was already championing women’s sports, we knew we were in the right place at the right time to bring the vision to life.
WHY IS INCLUSIVITY SUCH A CENTRAL VALUE FOR THE DUB, AND HOW WILL YOU BRING THAT TO LIFE?
Monica: Sports bars tend to have a stereotypical environment that not everyone feels comfortable in, and we believe that sports should be accessible to everyone. More than that, it’s rooted in our own beliefs that all people deserve to feel seen, welcomed and respected, no matter their life situation. We lead our lives with a sense of intention and purpose to build community and inclusion, so it only makes sense that The Dub be centered on those values as well.
MONICA, AS A CERTIFIED SOMMELIER, HOW DOES YOUR BACKGROUND SHAPE THE DRINK EXPERIENCE AT THE DUB?
Monica: My first love is soccer, and my second love is wine, so the environment of The Dub is my haven for combining the two. Much like my belief about sports, I believe that wine should be inclusive to all people. The wine list is approachable and experimental, featuring both classic drinks and fun, on-theme house cocktails. There are also great mocktail options because enjoying sports at The Dub doesn’t require drinking alcohol.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COLLABORATION AND GUIDANCE FROM OTHER WOMEN’S SPORTS BAR OWNERS. WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM THAT NETWORK?
Rachel: There’s always a feeling of sisterhood when you talk to women, especially in business, and knowing there are women out there who have done exactly what we are doing gives a sense of community unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. It’s extremely exciting to see the U.S., Canada and other parts of the world fall in love with women’s sports, and the women we’ve met opening these businesses share that excitement and pride.
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU, PERSONALLY AND FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, TO SEE THE DUB BECOME A GATHERING PLACE WHERE FANS OF WOMEN’S SPORTS CAN FEEL CELEBRATED AND CONNECTED?
Monica: I truly believe that bringing The Dub to life in KC is what I’m meant to do with this era of my life, so I will feel very proud that I was able to give something back to the community and grateful that it is received well.
Rachel: I believe The Dub has already become a place where women in sports and fans of women’s sports feel celebrated. We’ve had nothing but an outpouring of support from this city so far — and when we can look around and see people building community through our space, I will feel a sense of fulfillment, but also a drive to create more spaces like The Dub throughout the city.