In a groundbreaking moment for San Francisco’s sports scene, Rikki’s opened its doors in the Castro District on June 11, 2025, marking the city’s first-ever women’s sports bar. This establishment represents more than just a place to watch games—it’s a cultural milestone for women’s sports visibility and LGBTQ+ community spaces in the Bay Area.
Breaking barriers in San Francisco’s sports culture
The journey to establish Rikki’s began with a simple frustration shared by co-owners Sara Yergovich and Danielle Thoe: the persistent difficulty in finding reliable venues to watch women’s sporting events. “It should not be this hard to watch women’s sports,” expressed Yergovich during the bar’s opening celebration. This sentiment became the catalyst for creating a dedicated space where women’s athletics take center stage.
Located at 2223 Market Street, Rikki’s celebrated its opening with a private ceremony on June 10, where San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie cut the ceremonial purple ribbon. The event drew representatives from the city’s professional women’s sports teams, including Bay Football Club CEO Brady Stewart and Golden State Valkyries’ Senior VP of Marketing Kimberly Veale.
The bar features 14 strategically placed televisions ensuring optimal viewing from every angle, a state-of-the-art surround sound system, and comfortable seating with a maximum capacity of 161 patrons. The full-service kitchen and custom drinks inspired by local teams complete the experience.
| Operating Hours | Days |
|---|---|
| 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Tuesday – Thursday |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM | Friday – Saturday |
| 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday |
Honoring a legacy of LGBTQ+ activism
Rikki’s doesn’t just fill a gap in the sports bar scene—it pays homage to a pioneering figure in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ history. The establishment is named after Rikki Streicher, a local LGBTQ+ activist who operated some of the city’s first queer and lesbian bars from the 1960s through the 1990s.
Streicher’s contributions extended beyond nightlife; she played a crucial role in establishing the Federation of Gay Games and the International Gay Olympics during the 1980s. “Though Rikki passed away in 1994, her vision and the community she inspired lives on,” Thoe explained during the opening.
The bar’s interior design thoughtfully incorporates this history. A dedicated mural commemorates Streicher’s legacy, while memorabilia from the Gay Games—medals, pennants, and photographs—adorn the walls, creating a space that celebrates both athletic achievement and cultural heritage.
Interior decorator Wendy Trotter crafted a welcoming environment with a purple and peach color palette, basketball-shaped lighting fixtures, and various sports décor elements that tell the story of women’s sports evolution.
Creating an inclusive community space
Beyond serving as a venue to watch games, Rikki’s aims to foster a sense of belonging. Rosemary Gardner, Director of community programs at the SF LGBTQ Center, emphasized the vital importance of such spaces: “Being able to find inclusive spaces where folks within the LGBTQ community can come in, know they’re safe, know they’re affirmed, and that they can relax is more vital than ever.”
For many supporters attending the opening, the emotional significance was palpable. Patrons Carissa Avalos and Natalia Harteh expressed their feelings about finally having a space where they feel represented. “There’s a subtext that spaces were intended for someone else, not us,” noted Avalos. “I am looking forward to watching the WNBA in a space where I feel joy and belonging.”
Yergovich emphasized that creating an atmosphere beyond typical drinking culture remains central to their vision. The owners hope to see the community contribute additional memorabilia and personal touches to the space as it evolves, reinforcing the collaborative spirit behind Rikki’s.
The establishment offers visitors several unique features:
- Custom-crafted team-inspired beverages representing local women’s sports franchises
- Historical displays chronicling women’s sports achievements
- Community events and watch parties for major women’s sporting events
- A full-service kitchen offering game-day favorites
- A welcoming atmosphere for sports enthusiasts of all backgrounds