In a city that lives and breathes sports and craft beer, one new bar is rewriting the playbook on what it means to be a fan. The 99ers Sports Bar, Colorado’s first and only women’s sports bar, opened on December 7, 2024, with a simple but powerful mission: to give women’s sports the spotlight they’ve always deserved.
The visionaries behind this game-changing concept, Annie Weaver and Miranda Spencer, barely knew each other before leaping into business together. Annie first got the idea after visiting The Sports Bra, a pioneering women’s sports bar in Portland started by Jenny Nguyen. Annie walked in and said, “This is amazing, it needs to exist in more places.” She knew she had to bring this concept back to Denver.
The only catch? She had no business experience. That’s where Miranda came in. When Annie pitched the idea, Miranda didn’t hesitate. “People think we’re insane for starting this business with such a short history together,” Annie said. But for them, it just felt right.
Unlike typical sports bars, where men’s games dominate the screens, it’s dedicated to showcasing women’s sports—far surpassing the 50% coverage benchmark set by Together, an organization advocating equal representation in sports media.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve had so much support from the community. We’re working with groups to help amplify our name, like Together, which has been amazing. It’s just really cool to be a part of this,” Miranda said.
When asked how the duo would describe The 99ers Sports Bar to a newbie, Miranda said, “A lot of people mention how welcoming and inclusive it feels. My family recently visited, and before I even asked, they commented on how warm and inviting the space is.” Annie added, “Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do. It’s all about creating a space where people can be themselves.”
Annie has noticed a shift in the usual sports bar dynamic, with about 80% of its clientele being women. “Sometimes men will come in and wonder if they’re welcome here—how the tables have turned!” Annie said. But don’t worry, gentlemen, you’re more than welcome.
As lifelong athletes, Annie and Miranda don’t just watch sports—they play. When they’re not running The 99ers, they’re out on the field with their flag football team, Altitude Sickness. While game days sometimes keep them away, they’ve built a strong team to keep things running smoothly.
With major sporting events ahead, excitement is only growing. March Madness is expected to be exciting with its very own bracket competition and various special events celebrating women’s athletics. The Unrivaled basketball finals and the Denver Onyx women’s rugby team’s inaugural season in March will bring even more energy to the space, making it a must-visit for sports fans.
It’s not just about inclusivity on the screen—it’s about what’s on tap, too. “I’m a big beer drinker, but Miranda isn’t, so we always make sure to have plenty of cider options and non-alcoholic drinks too.” Annie comments. True to its mission, 50% of its draft lineup comes from local and women-owned companies, and the team is always adding more. Most of its hard liquor is sourced from Woody Creek, a women-owned distillery.
“Our motto is, if we can stream it, we will,” Miranda says. They’re always discovering new sports that excite their guests. Annie, a huge volleyball fan, made sure college volleyball was a staple on their screens this season, something both she and Miranda loved diving into.
The 99ers Sports Bar is more than just a bar—it’s a movement, and in Denver, it’s only just getting started. Celebrate Women’s History Month by supporting a space that champions women in sports year-round.
The 99ers Sports Bar is located at 909 E Colfax Ave., Denver. Its hours are Tuesday—Thursday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m, Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Closed Mondays.
