Co-owners Kat Moore and Audrey Corely (center, holding scissors) celebrated the opening of Phoenix’s first-ever women-focused sports bar, Melrose District’s Title 9 Sports Grill, on March 16 (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
During a packed mid-March weekend full of family, friends and enthusiastic patrons, co-owners Audrey Corley and Kat Moore celebrated the grand opening of Title 9 Sports Grill in Phoenix’s Melrose District.
Opened in the former Short Leash Hot Dogs space at 4221 N. 7th Ave., Title 9 is Phoenix’s first-ever women-focused sports bar, and the owners hope to redefine the sports experience in the city by celebrating women athletes.
“This isn’t just another sports bar; it’s a movement,” said Moore in a press release announcing the opening. Moore is co-founder of Short Leash Hotdogs and an avid soccer player. “Phoenix has never seen a space like this, and we’re here to celebrate women’s sports with front-and-center coverage, a welcoming atmosphere, and a menu that honors the athletes we admire.”
That celebration is on full display from the moment patrons walk through the doors. The walls are covered with photos of legendary women in sports, trophies, memorabilia and posters celebrating the Arizona women who paved the way.
“We saw a real gap in the sports bar world,” added Corley, a lifelong advocate for women’s athletics, former basketball coach and founder of the adjacent Boycott Bar. “Women’s sports often take a backseat, and we wanted to create a space where they are celebrated.”
The name of the bar itself is a recognition of a turning point for women: the 1972 passage of Title IX, which mandated gender equality in education, including athletics. The legislation increased opportunities for women in sports at both the high school and collegiate levels in Arizona. And the opening comes just a month shy of the 29th anniversary of the WNBA, which took place April 24, 1996, with play beginning in 1997.
Since this is a sports bar, screens are in abundance and viewable from every seat, providing a space to cheer for favorite teams – on March 16, it was women’s sand volleyball. Guests will find ample seating – from booths, four-tops and high-tops next to 7th Avenue-facing windows, to seating at the wrap-round bar and the expansive patio.
The menu offers elevated versions of classic bar fare, with wings, sliders, salads, and more, along with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options. Dishes are named after iconic female athletes to honor their achievements, and the beverage menu exclusively features beers, ciders and spirits from female-owned breweries and distilleries.
“We want people to walk in and feel inspired, connected and ready to celebrate,” said Corley. “This is a place where we honor the power, passion and perseverance of women in sports.”
To learn more, visit www.titleninesportsgrill.com or follow them on Instagram.
