KIRKWOOD, Ga. — As women’s sports continue to draw larger audiences nationwide, a new sports bar in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood is putting those games front and center.
Founded by Chelsea Fishman, Jolene Jolene opened this summer as Atlanta’s first-ever women’s sports bar and restaurant. The opening came after several years of pop-up events.
Catalina Diaz, one of the restaurant’s managers, said the idea grew from a frustration shared by many fans who struggled to find sports bars consistently showing women’s games.
“I think it was something that was lacking for a really long time,” Diaz said. “I’ve always gone to other sports bars around town, and I think what was lacking was the availability to have women’s sports be promoted. Everyone here is kind of a part of our team.”
The restaurant opens as women’s sports become more popular in Atlanta, with growing support for teams like the Atlanta Dream and new professional leagues.
Beyond game days, Diaz said the restaurant aims to become a neighborhood hub where people feel welcome.
“The neighborhood’s really close-knit,” Diaz said. “I think we’re really community focused, and we want to make sure we continue to give back to the people that helped get us here.”
Jolene Jolene goes from pop-up to brick-and-mortar
Before opening the Kirkwood location, Fishman introduced the concept through pop-up events at Pullman Yards, building a following that helped turn the idea into a brick-and-mortar business.
“It wasn’t just one person or one game,” Diaz said. “It was several years of Chelsea building up not only the brand but having people believe in her dream, too. That’s why we’re here today.”
The restaurant has already seen packed crowds during games. Diaz said one recent Atlanta Dream game was so exciting that fans stayed after closing because the game came down to the final second.
“I can’t explain how amazing it feels when it’s packed out for a game, there’s not an open seat in the house and everyone gets to cheer for the same team,” Diaz said. “There was a Dream game the other night … hearing the win from upstairs … I’m getting chills just thinking about it. It was awesome.”
Fishman also plans to keep hosting community events outside the restaurant, including welcoming local athletes and people who are often underrepresented in sports. Diaz said one example was a queer and nonbinary pickup soccer game held at a nearby park.
Bartender and server Sam Truppner said customers have embraced the restaurant since it opened, praising both its atmosphere and its commitment to showcasing women’s sports.
“The customers have been absolutely amazing,” Truppner said. “A lot of local people that come in here have just given us praise for just having a really cool vibe and having a cool place to hang out. I come here on my days off, and I don’t need to … that’s how you know it’s a fun place to be in.”
Truppner said the bar invests in specialty sports channels so customers can watch women’s sports games that are often unavailable at traditional sports bars.
“We’ve had multiple conversations with local customers saying this is finally a nice place where we can come and watch women’s sports,” Truppner said. “Women’s sports [are] not on regular channels, and so we do pay a special price for those channels to be able to share them with everybody. I think it’s really nice that we can provide that to them.”
For Truppner, one of the restaurant’s most meaningful impacts comes from watching young fans experience women’s sports on the big screen.
“I cried when we finally got the [Women’s Pro Baseball League], which was a game-changer,” Truppner said. “I can only imagine how excited I would be as a child walking in here, being able to see women can play sports on the big TVs. I think it’s very inspiring, and I think that when you see their faces light up as they watch their favorite women’s basketball team … what’s better than that?”
Jolene Jolene is located at 1963 Hosea L. Williams Drive SE.
This story was provided by WABE media partner Decaturish.
