Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/ Emma Friedman
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – Women’s sports is surging in recent years. More eyes are on the games, but as much as the game has expanded it’s still hard to watch from a restaurant or bar the same way you would a men’s game. The Envoy Hotel in Boston wants to change that.
Their on-site bar Para Maria is transforming for two weeks into “261 Para Maria,” a pop-up women’s sports bar concept. The 261 is in reference to Kathrine Switzer’s bib number at the Boston Marathon. Switzer is the first woman to ever compete in the race. Her photo is on display among other famous Boston athletes.
“If you think about where you can go watch the Celtics, you can probably think of five bars right now where you can go watch it. But if you think, where can I go watch the Legacy FC game or the Boston Fleet, you don’t know where to go. We want to be that spot,” General Manager Chris DeMilia said.
They have even adjusted the menu to include food and cocktails inspired by local athletes. That includes the bubbly cocktail the “Katherine Spritzer” or the Aerin’s Cesar Salad, named for the Boston Fleet goalie Aerin Frankel who rates Cesar salads on her Instagram.
“It’s a perfect time because NCAA March Madness will show the women’s brackets as well. Of course we will have the games on. You want to be able to watch the games that’s what its all about… but its also about the decorations," DeMilia said.
The walls are lined with life size photos of local athletes, like Olympic Gold Medalist Aly Raisman, Worcester Academy graduate and WNBA star Alyiah Boston.
The pop up will stay though the end of April so there will be a spot for women’s sports fans to gather in Boston as the Boston Fleet continue their successful season, and the Boston Legacy soccer team kick off their inaugural season.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.