Less than one month after its opening, Marsha’s has already amassed a devoted following. For many of its early customers, being at Philadelphia’s first queer women’s sports bar evoked a visceral response — and not just for the nail-biting finishes.

“It was super emotional,” said Jessalyn Grant-Bier, 25. “… This space was needed, wanted and deserved. I will gladly give this place all my money, and I hope it’s here for decades.”

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During a viewing party Wednesday for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals and Game 3 of the Phillies-Dodgers NLDS series, one thing was clear by the tight-packed venue and passionate atmosphere — Marsha’s came to the right place at the right time. 

Many of the people said they were also there for opening night and were met with a three-hour line that wrapped around the block. Grant-Bier, who moved to West Philly from the San Francisco area less than a year ago, called Sept. 19 “the most fun I ever had waiting in a line.” 

marshas crowdMolly McVety/PhillyVoice

A big crowd came to Marsha’s to watch Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday

Owner Chivonn Anderson had a specific vision to celebrate queer history in a welcoming space that centers women’s and Philly sports. The place is unapologetic in nature — named after transgender LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson, whose portrait is displayed behind the wooden bar underneath a rainbow American flag.  

“This is our first time here, and we’re so excited,” said Chloe Adkins, 27, of Fishtown who was sitting with her wife, Kaybree. “There’s not a lot of lesbian-based queer spaces, so we are thrilled. It’s nice to find another space that is actually for queer people.” 

marshas guests 4Molly McVety/PhillyVoice

Chloe and Kaybree Adkins, of Fishtown, expressed their excitement for the opening of Marsha’s, an LGBTQ+ bar centered around women’s sports on South Street.

Pendo Kamau, 23, of Media, agreed. 

“For Philly, which is a city that prides itself on having so many types of people and cultures, I think it’s very important that there are brick-and-mortar locations for women to be together, queer people to come together and to feel celebrated,” Kamau said. 

On Wednesday, customers were treated to two high-stakes games. The Las Vegas Aces held off a late run by the Phoenix Mercury to win 90-88 and take a 3-0 series lead in the WNBA Finals, and the Phillies cruised to an 8-2 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles — although fans know all too well how that series ended. 

Philadelphia has yet to have its own professional women’s sports team, but if the atmosphere at Marsha’s is any indication, the city is more than ready for the 2030 arrival of its new WNBA franchise. 

marsha's guest 3Molly McVety/PhillyVoice

Jessalyn Grant-Bier, Evan Jones and Carter Strear attend Marsha’s viewing party for the WNBA Finals and Phillies playoff game Wednesday.

“I’m a huge sports fans and I’ve always felt like women’s sports are so disrespected,” said Evan Jones, 23, of West Philly. “We’re all very excited about the 2030 team, and I assume this will be a huge part of it when it happens.”

Janelle Ingram, a 32-year-old from Mount Laurel, scoped out a prime spot against the bar’s window, with a view of nearly every TV. Despite calling the Phillies an “embarrassment,” perhaps a foreshadowing of the following night’s heartbreaker, seeing the crowd and excitement in Marsha’s gave her hope for the next generation. 

“I’m super excited just because of our young kids growing up,” she said. “It’s starting something big. It should have happened a long time ago and it’s really nice to see.”