La'S Game-Changer: Untamed Spirits Opens As First Women-Centered Sports Bar In Silver Lake

Touchdown for Equality: Untamed Spirits Hits Silver Lake

Los Angeles, the land of Hollywood glitz and Venice Beach grit, just added a new MVP to its lineup: Untamed Spirits, the first women-centered sports bar in the city. Nestled in the trendy Silver Lake neighborhood - known for its artsy vibes and hipster coffee shops - this game-changing venue is the brainchild of Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood, a dynamic duo who turned a frustrating experience into a full-on community win.

It all started when the couple rolled into a local brewery to catch a U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team match, only to be shut down when they asked for the volume to be cranked up. That SoCal summer night, as cheers echoed with no sound to match, the Ellingwoods knew LA needed a space where women’s sports weren’t just an afterthought - they had to be the headliner.

Fast forward to June, and Untamed Spirits roared to life just in time for Pride Month, taking over a former Silver Lake haunt called Trophy Wife. With a full renovation, the spot now screams modern inclusivity with a pink neon sign flashing 'Welcome to the Untamed Era,' black-and-white murals popping off the walls, a plant-filled patio for those chill Cali vibes, and screens everywhere so you won’t miss a single play.

From Frustration to Foundation: The Ellingwoods’ Vision

The journey to Untamed Spirits wasn’t just about opening a bar - it was about flipping the script. After that brewery snub, Janie and Stephanie scoured the city for the perfect spot to build their dream, a place where women’s sports could shine brighter than the Hollywood sign. Their mission? Create a space in LA where fans could rally around women’s soccer, basketball, and even niche sports like kayaking without fighting for airtime.

While the bar’s heart beats for women’s leagues, they’re not benching men’s sports entirely - you’ll still catch the Lakers or Dodgers on a screen or two. But the focus is clear: giving women athletes the spotlight they’ve been denied for way too long, especially in a town where red carpet events often overshadow real game changers.

'We’re not just pouring drinks; we’re building a movement right here in Silver Lake,' Janie Ellingwood told us. 'This is about creating a spot where everyone feels hyped to cheer for women’s sports as much as we do.'

Rising Tide: Women’s Sports Take Center Stage

Untamed Spirits couldn’t have opened at a better time, with women’s sports riding a wave bigger than anything off the Santa Monica Pier. Nielsen reports the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament averaged nearly 19 million viewers, and the WNBA Draft saw a jaw-dropping 500% spike in viewership compared to the year before. Add to that the $244 million poured into women’s sports TV ads in 2024 - a 139% jump from 2023 - and it’s clear the game is changing.

Stephanie Ellingwood, a former pro golfer, isn’t surprised by the surge. She’s seen firsthand how women have been killing it on the field for decades, and now, finally, the world’s catching up. For her and Janie, this bar is personal - a chance to amplify voices and victories that deserve to be heard loud and clear.

The bar’s already scoring big partnerships, like becoming an official hangout for Angel City Football Club (ACFC), the NWSL team co-owned by a powerhouse group of women including some serious LA royalty. Mark your calendars for September 7, when Untamed Spirits hosts its first major watch party for ACFC’s showdown with Gotham FC - expect Silver Lake to be buzzing with electric energy.

More Than a Bar: A Cultural Shift in SoCal

For the Ellingwoods, Untamed Spirits isn’t just a place to grab a craft beer and catch a game - it’s a vibe, a movement, a straight-up cultural shift. They envision it as a community hub where Angelenos can come together, throw down some cheers, and feel part of something bigger than a scoreboard. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just rolling in for the patio views, there’s a seat for you.

Janie puts it best: this isn’t some fleeting trend riding the coattails of a hot SoCal summer. It’s the start of something permanent, a space where women’s sports get the love and respect they’ve always deserved, right in the heart of LA. So, next time you’re cruising through Silver Lake, swing by Untamed Spirits and join the untamed era - the game’s just getting started.

With every match broadcast and every fan hyped, Untamed Spirits is proving that in a city of stars, the real MVPs are the women athletes finally getting their moment. Grab your crew, hit up this new spot, and let’s keep the momentum rolling - LA style.