Lesbian
Trans
People of Color
Drag Queen/King
Philadelphia has long been home to vibrant queer culture, storied activism, and historic firsts. On Friday, September 19, 2025, the city welcomes another landmark moment with the grand opening of Marsha’s South Street — the first queer women’s sports bar in Philadelphia, and a powerful new anchor for LGBTQ+ nightlife and women’s sports fandom.
Founded and owned by Chivonn Anderson, a queer Black woman and seasoned Philadelphia restaurateur, Marsha’s is more than a bar. It is a revolutionary space designed for community, celebration, and visibility. Nestled at 430 South Street in the heart of Queen Village, the venue is a proud tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, the legendary Black trans activist who helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The idea for Marsha’s was born in 2019, when Anderson returned from watching Women’s World Cup matches in Europe only to be dismissed by a bartender at a South Street sports bar who refused to switch the game to the women’s final. Only after a heated back-and-forth did the TV get changed — and soon the place was packed with fans cheering on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
That moment revealed a glaring gap: a lack of spaces that truly value women’s sports and queer visibility. Anderson knew something had to change.
“It blew my mind that I had to argue with the bartender in a sports bar to put the Women’s World Cup on,” Anderson recalled. “We need a space where women — who dedicate their lives to these sports — are honored, celebrated, and front and center.”
True to its name, Marsha’s is unapologetically queer, intersectional, and celebratory. The interior is both nostalgic and intentional, featuring repurposed bleacher seating from a vintage stadium, classic sports memorabilia, and a striking portrait of Marsha P. Johnson presiding over the bar. Community contributions are welcomed — everything from childhood sports trading cards to local league mementos — reinforcing the notion that Marsha’s is a space made by and for the community.
What makes Marsha’s stand out isn’t just its theme — it’s the mission. The venue prioritizes inclusion and visibility for queer women, trans folks, people of color, and anyone who has ever felt sidelined in traditional sports culture. Large screens will broadcast women’s sports, local Philly teams, and LGBTQ+ programming, ensuring that diverse representation is front and center — not an afterthought.
Anderson envisions Marsha’s as “a home away from home,” where sports lovers and community members can feel safe, affirmed, and seen.
The menu at Marsha’s is playful and comforting — a love letter to Philly and sports bar classics alike. Whether you’re into buttered popcorn or something a bit more adventurous like “crabby corn” with crab boil seasoning and parmesan, the snack game is strong. Favorites include:
Marsha’s also serves colorful cocktails and zero-proof mocktails, including the signature “Marsharita.” The full bar is ready for both game-day excitement and late-night queer joy.
Marsha’s isn’t just breaking ground; it’s planting roots. Anderson, who is also a licensed real estate agent and previously co-owned Redcrest Kitchen, knew that true sustainability meant ownership. When the former Woolly Mammoth space on South Street went up for sale in late 2024 — building, liquor license, and all — she jumped at the chance.
“South Street shaped me,” Anderson shared. “It was the only place I ever felt comfortable growing up. Now I get to create a space that offers that same safety and joy to the next generation of queer Philadelphians.”
Anderson also emphasizes that Marsha’s isn’t just for queer women. Allies, sports fans, and anyone looking for inclusive, authentic connection are welcome. Her ethos? “There’s no competition in community. It’s all about collaboration and lifting each other up.”
That spirit extends to her outreach. Marsha’s is already in conversation with Watch Party PHL, a queer-led collective working to open another women’s sports bar in Center City. Anderson hopes to work alongside them, proving that Philly has room for more queer venues, not fewer.
Marsha’s grand opening is set for Friday, September 19, from 4 p.m. to midnight, with weekend hours continuing on Saturday (noon to midnight) and Sunday (noon to 10 p.m.). The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting and promises music, community vibes, and of course — sports on the big screens.
Future plans include regular queer performance nights, drag shows, fundraisers for local sports teams, and maybe even expansion into other neighborhoods. But for now, Marsha’s South Street is ready to be the cultural home queer Philly deserves.
As Anderson so beautifully put it: “I want Marsha’s to be an anchor for Philadelphia — for the queer community, for the sports community, and for anybody that just wants to go out and have fun and feel safe and be seen.”
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Opening Weekend: Sept. 19–21, 2025
Instagram: @marshassouthstreet
Website: marshassouthstreet.com
Don’t miss this historic new chapter in Philly queer nightlife. Grab a drink, cheer for your team, and come as you are.
Founded and owned by Chivonn Anderson, a queer Black woman and seasoned Philadelphia restaurateur, Marsha’s is more than a bar. It is a revolutionary space designed for community, celebration, and visibility. Nestled at 430 South Street in the heart of Queen Village, the venue is a proud tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, the legendary Black trans activist who helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
From a World Cup Snub to a Vision for Change
The idea for Marsha’s was born in 2019, when Anderson returned from watching Women’s World Cup matches in Europe only to be dismissed by a bartender at a South Street sports bar who refused to switch the game to the women’s final. Only after a heated back-and-forth did the TV get changed — and soon the place was packed with fans cheering on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
That moment revealed a glaring gap: a lack of spaces that truly value women’s sports and queer visibility. Anderson knew something had to change.
“It blew my mind that I had to argue with the bartender in a sports bar to put the Women’s World Cup on,” Anderson recalled. “We need a space where women — who dedicate their lives to these sports — are honored, celebrated, and front and center.”
A Space That Reflects the Community It Serves
True to its name, Marsha’s is unapologetically queer, intersectional, and celebratory. The interior is both nostalgic and intentional, featuring repurposed bleacher seating from a vintage stadium, classic sports memorabilia, and a striking portrait of Marsha P. Johnson presiding over the bar. Community contributions are welcomed — everything from childhood sports trading cards to local league mementos — reinforcing the notion that Marsha’s is a space made by and for the community.
What makes Marsha’s stand out isn’t just its theme — it’s the mission. The venue prioritizes inclusion and visibility for queer women, trans folks, people of color, and anyone who has ever felt sidelined in traditional sports culture. Large screens will broadcast women’s sports, local Philly teams, and LGBTQ+ programming, ensuring that diverse representation is front and center — not an afterthought.
Anderson envisions Marsha’s as “a home away from home,” where sports lovers and community members can feel safe, affirmed, and seen.
Food, Fun & Femme Energy
The menu at Marsha’s is playful and comforting — a love letter to Philly and sports bar classics alike. Whether you’re into buttered popcorn or something a bit more adventurous like “crabby corn” with crab boil seasoning and parmesan, the snack game is strong. Favorites include:
- Mom Mom’s Pierogies – Available in potato & cheese or cheesesteak styles
- Loaded Touchdown Totchos – Philly’s take on nachos
- Fried Bologna Sandwich with pimento cheese – a nostalgic twist on a childhood favorite
- Street Corn Popcorn with cotija cheese and Tajín
- Hot Dogs – Both beef and plant-based options, dressed with inventive toppings like caramelized onions, Cooper Sharp cheese, and pickled onions
Marsha’s also serves colorful cocktails and zero-proof mocktails, including the signature “Marsharita.” The full bar is ready for both game-day excitement and late-night queer joy.
Creating Legacy While Looking Ahead
Marsha’s isn’t just breaking ground; it’s planting roots. Anderson, who is also a licensed real estate agent and previously co-owned Redcrest Kitchen, knew that true sustainability meant ownership. When the former Woolly Mammoth space on South Street went up for sale in late 2024 — building, liquor license, and all — she jumped at the chance.
“South Street shaped me,” Anderson shared. “It was the only place I ever felt comfortable growing up. Now I get to create a space that offers that same safety and joy to the next generation of queer Philadelphians.”
Anderson also emphasizes that Marsha’s isn’t just for queer women. Allies, sports fans, and anyone looking for inclusive, authentic connection are welcome. Her ethos? “There’s no competition in community. It’s all about collaboration and lifting each other up.”
That spirit extends to her outreach. Marsha’s is already in conversation with Watch Party PHL, a queer-led collective working to open another women’s sports bar in Center City. Anderson hopes to work alongside them, proving that Philly has room for more queer venues, not fewer.
Opening Weekend & What’s to Come
Marsha’s grand opening is set for Friday, September 19, from 4 p.m. to midnight, with weekend hours continuing on Saturday (noon to midnight) and Sunday (noon to 10 p.m.). The event kicks off with a ribbon cutting and promises music, community vibes, and of course — sports on the big screens.
Future plans include regular queer performance nights, drag shows, fundraisers for local sports teams, and maybe even expansion into other neighborhoods. But for now, Marsha’s South Street is ready to be the cultural home queer Philly deserves.
As Anderson so beautifully put it: “I want Marsha’s to be an anchor for Philadelphia — for the queer community, for the sports community, and for anybody that just wants to go out and have fun and feel safe and be seen.”
—
Visit Marsha’s South Street:
Address: 430 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147Opening Weekend: Sept. 19–21, 2025
Instagram: @marshassouthstreet
Website: marshassouthstreet.com
Don’t miss this historic new chapter in Philly queer nightlife. Grab a drink, cheer for your team, and come as you are.
