Entrepreneur Jenny Nguyen is no stranger to taking chances. After opening the very first ever women-centered sports bar in Portland, Oregon, she is now expanding the business into four states.

Not Your Daddy’s Sports Bar

There’s a good chance, if you walk into your run-of-the-mill sports bar, the big screens will be dominated by fellas. That is what Nguyen experienced when she was inspired to create The Sports Bra. She wanted a place where the ladies are the stars of the show, and that’s exactly what it has become.

The Starting Five

So popular, in fact, that Nguyen is spreading her mission of equity and girl power across the country. Boston, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Indianapolis will soon be home to the “Starting Five.”

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AP News shared, “The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five.’ Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong. There is no better moment than this to open these places,” said Nguyen, the Sports Bra’s CEO.

I love the caption there. “Visibility matters. Representation matters. And celebrating women in sports—loudly and proudly—matters. So does having a place that creates community and feels like home. The Sports Bra will also partner with local women-owned companies to stock the bar and kitchen.

Not gonna lie, I’m not even that big of a “sports gal” and I would totally hang out at The Sports Bra.

Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Indy’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Indianapolis — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.

June openings

Thieves, 854 Broad Ripple Ave.

The Broad Ripple cocktail bar is now open in its new location at the former Starbucks spot, with the bar operating as a coffee shop during the day.

Flamin’ Chicken and Breakfast, 3350 W. 16th St.

Start (or end) your day with everything from breakfast sandwiches to chicken and waffles to spicy subs.

Dutch Bros Coffee, 14560 Mundy Dr., Noblesville

One of the most popular coffee chains in the US is opening its first-ever Indiana location — stop by for a signature drink like the Golden Eagle.

Sunny Day Cafe, 13230 Harrell Pkwy Ste. 100, Noblesville

The Carmel-based breakfast + brunch spot expanded to Hamilton Town Center with signature dishes including chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.

Yazsh Cafe & Bistro, 1705 E. Michigan St.

The restaurant serves elevated Mediterranean cuisine, wine, and coffee.

May openings

Ford’s Garage, 10416 E. US Highway 36

This is the restaurant’s second Indiana location. Just minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the car-themed eatery is serving up burgers, brews, and nostalgia daily.

Claypot Coffee House, 1551 E. Stop 12 Rd., Ste. G

This business is bringing the rich flavors of claypot coffee to the south side. At this spot you can find Malaysian-inspired sweet + savory drinks and snacks, plus flavors like Ube, pandan, and black sesame.

Bocado Brunch & Te’Kila, 188 Westfield Rd.

The sophisticated spot with coastal ambiance is serving up Mexican-American Fusion with Caribbean flavors daily in Noblesville.

Artesanal Pasteleria Panaderia, 1325 Shelby St.

A sweet addition is open in Fountain Fletcher. The new bakery on Shelby Street sells dessert items like cakes, breads, and pastries.

Hi Mango Dessert, 6351 E. 82nd St.

Take a floral fantasy selfie with slushies, macarons, pastries, crepes, ice cream, and teas in mango and plenty of other flavors.

Kickstarrt Coffee & More, 14560 River Rd.

Coffee + smash burgers? This new spot opened in Carmel + offers an expansive menu from wings to drinks to desserts. Check it out.

Cafe Noricha, 190 Westfield Rd.

This Noblesville brunch spot serves an array of inventive boba + milk tea drinks alongside mouthwatering mains, like tiger prawn truffle toast and salmon okonomiyaki benedict.

April openings

1933 Lounge, 175 S. Rangeline Rd., Ste. 100, Carmel | Restaurant + bar

The speakeasy-style lounge has a bar, private and semi-private nooks designed for special occasions, and a covered patio complete with cozy firepit lounge areas.

1933 Lounge + HC Tavern by St. Elmo, Concourse B at IND | Restaurant + bar

Huse Culinary is blending its brands for a traveler-friendly experience where guests can get pre-flight cocktails and bites like the famous shrimp cocktail.

Filigree Bakery, 6331 Carrollton Ave. | Bakery

You may recognize them from the farmers market. Now you can get the bakery’s macarons, cookies, and cakes on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during its temporary hours while the Broad Ripple shop fine-tunes everything.

Milk & Honey Coffeehouse, 8511 Southeastern Ave. | Coffee

This southeast side coffee shop has been open for drive-thru orders, but soon you’ll be able to stay awhile. The shop is celebrating the grand opening of its indoor seating area Saturday, April 26 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Warmer weather calls for a spicy iced chai. Photo by INDYtoday team

March openings

Prufrock Coffee Company, 275 Veterans Way, Ste. 120, Carmel | Coffee shop

Prufrock opened its long-awaited second location serving up delicious coffee, matcha, mocktails, and pastries.

CAVA, 11594 Whistle Dr., Fishers | Casual Mediterranean

Make your own bowl or pita Chipotle-style (or go with one of the chef favorites) at this fast, fresh Mediterranean chain.

Rise & Revel, 1233 Shelby St. | Coffee + Cocktails

The team behind West Fork Whiskey announced it’s brewing something exciting for the Fountain Square neighborhood — a coffee shop during the day and a cocktail bar after dark.

City Editor Nicole ordered an iced honey lavender latte when she visited the Carmel Bovaconti location. Photo by INDYtoday team

February openings

Mochi Joy Donuts, 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers | Donuts

Indiana’s first mochi donut shop is finally getting its own storefront, complete with coffee drinks from Helm Coffee Roasters, boba tea, plants for sale, and more.

Josephine, 110 W. Main St., Carmel | French food + wine

Make a reservation so you don’t miss out on bacon-wrapped dates, poulette frites, and fresh baguettes.

Cafe Oztara, 1446 E Washington St. | Coffee + cafe food

This 4,000+ sqft coffee shop is designed to be a sanctuary + gathering space for all, with locally-sourced coffee, espresso, tea, and smoothies, plus breakfast and lunch items.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos, 3826 E. 82nd St. | Burritos

Munch on unique burrito creations like a “Papi Hibachi” steak-and-shrimp burrito, a General Tso’s crispy chicken burrito, and a Nashville hot crispy chicken burrito.

Freeland’s Restaurant, 875 Freeland Way, Carmel | Fine dining

The owner of downtown’s Tinker Street is opening another restaurant. This one will be located at Carmel’s North End + will bring new life to one of the city’s oldest buildings. The 2,600-sqft restaurant will focus on farm-to-table, Midwestern European fine dining.

Culinary Dropout, 1320 E. 86th St.| Eclectic American

Enjoy classic food with a fresh twist, such as wagyu pigs in a blanket, Mongolian short rib, and chicken cacio e pepe.

Flower Child, 1340 E. 86th St. | Health bowls, wraps, and salads

From a ginger miso crunch salad to chicken yakisoba noodles, this casual restaurant has been making fresh, healthy food flavorful since 2014.

Bovaconti, 2 W. Main St., Carmel | Coffee

This local company’s second location offers delicious coffee + pastries with the vibes to match. Pro tip: The location used to be an old bank, so make sure to check out the vault room.

Circle City Kolache, 1521 N. Green St. Ste. D, Brownsburg | Stuffed Czech pastries

The steamy stuffed Czech pastry options will include bacon + cheese steakburger, breakfast burrito, blackberry, and more.

Barry Bagels, 8684 E. 116th St., Fishers | Bagels

Start your morning (or afternoon) right with “the freshest bagel in town,” sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Tilly’s Tea Room, 8745 E. 116th St. | British eatery

Tilly’s has gone back to Fishers after its tea room at Saks Fifth Avenue closed at The Fashion Mall, with the addition of Max & Tilly’s Chip Shop & Eaterie. It’s serving up authentic British fish + chips, plus filthy fries, robust soups, fresh salads, and hearty sandwiches.

Fluff Bake Shop offers a variety of baked goods, coffee drinks, and sandwiches. Photo by INDYtoday team

January openings

Exotic Snacks, 14300 Mundy Dr., Ste. 800, Noblesville | International snacks

This shop located inside Phone Zone offers unique snacks from around the world. You can find drinks, chips, cookies, and more — just like what you might find in a convenience store in Japan or Korea.

Milan Pasta Kitchen, Online only | Pasta

This new pasta kitchen is serving up a “build your own pasta” concept that is available for delivery only. You select your choice of noodle, sauce, meat, toppings, seasonings, and bread — and they handle the rest.

Fluff Bake Shop, 17677 Cumberland Rd., Noblesville | Donuts + sandwiches

The cozy cafe offers a variety of donuts, coffee drinks, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches, with an even bigger menu coming soon.

Arden Indy, 6 W. Washington St. | Cafe + lounge

This new downtown spot is a swanky paradise + intimate floral oasis featuring a cafe during the day and a cozy lounge for jazz nights.

The Baker’s House, 365 S. Main St., Zionsville | Bread

If your at-home sourdough making efforts haven’t yielded the best results, at yeast you have The Baker’s House.

The Alchemist is serving up golden vibes in the old West Fork building. Photo by @theindyfoodcouple

December openings

Bearded Bagel, 9745 Fall Creek Rd. | Bagels

Now you have two locations to get your favorite bagel sandwiches. The bagel restaurant and food truck gave us the gift of this second location just after Christmas.

Tous Les Jours, 110 W. Main St., Ste. 115, Carmel | Cakes + croissants

You may recognize this bakery from its location inside the Castleton Saraga store. Now it has its own standalone store in Carmel offering its same delicious croissants, danishes, croquettes, and cakes.

Swig, 9510 N. Meridian St. | Soda

Get ready to Swig. The popular soft drink chain’s second Indy location is now serving guests.

The Alchemist, 1660 Bellefontaine St. | Coffee + cocktails

This new cozy spot is currently open for coffee service daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow it on social media for updates on hours and cocktail service.

At Tom’s Watch Bar, you can watch major sporting events on a stadium-sized screen and 135 other high-definition displays. Photo by INDYtoday team

Tom’s Watch Bar, 140 S. Illinois St. | Sports bar

There’s a new spot for game days down the street from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. The 10,000-sqft sports bar features immersive 360° viewing technology, a stadium-sized screen, 135 high-definition displays, and upscale food + beverages.

Mooresville’s Gray Brothers Cafeteria, 1090 N. Avon Ave. | Homestyle meals

This spot has been serving central Indiana since 1944, and it opened a second location. The store will provide locals with homemade pies, cakes, and baked goods — just in time for the holidays.

Parlor Doughnuts, Avon | Donut shop

West side donut fans can now get layered donuts closer to home. This shop offers 25+ flavors to choose from, plus coffee and other breakfast food items.

Sushi Station, 960 E. Tournament Trl., Westfield | Sushi

There’s another new sushi spot on the north side and this one delivers food to your table by train (and a conveyor belt). It offers sushi, sashimi, dumplings, and tempura made to order.

Aberdeen Social House, 150 W. 96th St. | Upscale dining

This restaurant introduces an elevated dining experience to the area, blending global fusion cuisine with American comfort classics.

Did we miss a restaurant that opened in December? Let us know.

Warm up your chopsticks for Kura. Photo via Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

November openings

Kura, 11594 Whistle Dr., Fishers | Sushi

Get hungry for 100+ dishes served on a conveyor belt system with customers paying by the plate. Diners can also play games and rack up prizes.

NYC Deli & Grill, 6165 Allisonville Rd. | Sandwiches, Shakes, Wings

Looking for authentic NYC flavors in Indy? This shop offers classics like the iconic Chopped Cheese and a flavorful Chicken Rice Bowl. You can order fresh-made food to go + grab convenience store items all in one spot.

Yoke Social Table, The Garage Food Hall | Sandwiches

Now open during regular food hall hours and serving salads, sandwiches, and bowls crafted with fresh ingredients — giving Garage-goers another delicious option to try.

Sweetgreen, 14400 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel | Salads

Load up on customizable salads from this popular chain.

SubDaze Sandwich Shop, 640 S. Main St., Zionsville | Sandwiches

The new restaurant comes courtesy of the owners of Fundae’s Ice Cream & Treats, which has three locations in central Indiana.

Pro tip: Tuesdays are Two Buck Shuck day at Magdalena. Photo by INDYtoday team

Magdalena, 1127 Shelby St. | Cocktail bar and restaurant

Inspired by New Orleans cuisine, this restaurant specializes in cocktails, wine, and oysters.

Niyyah Coffee, 6160 N. Rural St. | Coffee

The coffee spot’s newest location opened on Saturday, Nov. 2. Stop by the first floor of the Ayr Apartments for a taste of its fall drink menu + tres leches cakes.

Lone Pine, 710 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel | Steakhouse

This sister restaurant to Beholder promises “a fresh take on the modern American steakhouse experience.”

Did we miss a restaurant that opened in November? Let us know.

Get your coffee — be it by bag of beans or cup of joe — at Tinker Coffee Co. Photo by INDYtoday

October openings

Songbird Social House, 7245 E. 146th St., #100, Carmel | Bar + restaurant

This new north-side restaurant features a menu with wood-fired pizza, pasta, sandwiches, steak, seafood, and chicken, plus cocktails, wine, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Shin Dig, 1351 Roosevelt Ave. | Pizza

Cunningham Restaurant Group’s latest project serves wings + pizza for the whole family. Make a reservation at Shin Dig.

Tinker Coffee, 1125 W 16th St. | Coffee

Tinker Coffee opened its new Firehouse location in the former Chalet spot. Stop by for coffee and breakfast in the morning + enjoy beer, wine + low-ABV cocktails in the evening.

Did we miss a restaurant that opened in October? Let us know.

Mochi Joy is still looking to fill positions for its new storefront — application deadline is Friday, Dec. 20. Photo by @mochijoydonuts

Coming soon

Bowdie’s Chophouse, 10814 Creek Way, Ste. 2 | ETA: June 2025

The Michigan-based restaurant is making its way to Zionsville, serving something for everyone with bougie taste — from escargot to ceviche to seared pork belly.

Clayton’s Ripple Rodeo, 812 Broad Ripple Ave., and Clayton’s Honky Tonk, 47-49 S. Meridian St. | ETA: Summer 2025

Bedford native and country music artist Clayton Anderson is bringing not one but two country-themed bar-and-grills to Indy this spring.

The Peach Cobbler Factory, 82nd Street + Clearwater Pointe | ETA: Summer 2025

This chain serves every dessert under the sun, including fruit cobblers, banana puddings, cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and milkshakes.

The Yard Bar, 1302 Columbia Ave. | ETA: Summer 2025

The DIGS Garden Center team is working hard to open their new concept — The Yard Bar and South Monon Spirits distillery. It’ll be a place for plants, drinks, food, and fresh air.

Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine, 888 Mass Ave. | ETA: Summer 2025

The popular Broad Ripple spot is expanding to bring its legendary feijoada stew to Mass Ave.

West Fork Social House, 5380 N. College Ave. | ETA: Mid-July 2025

The lounge’s second location inside The Bulldog will serve craft coffee during the day and whiskey-forward cocktails + elevated bar bites in the afternoon.

The Clubhouse, 1049 E. 54th St. | ETA: Summer 2025

This nostalgic trail-side spot will offer soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, mini pies, cookies, and more.

Voodoo Brewing Co., 8729 Front St. | ETA: Summer 2025

A Pennsylvania-based craft brewery is opening in Fishers this summer. The establishment will feature “elevated” pub fare, Voodoo beer + Indiana-based beers, seltzers, non-alcoholic drinks, and a full bar.

Liftoff Creamery, 99 Cruse St. | ETA: Summer 2025

The locally-owned ice cream shop will expand into the former Sanitary Diner parked outside Futuro’s.

Three Dolls & Co. | ETA: Summer 2025

Pick up gorgeous cakes or peruse the cafe menu at this first location from the former food truck.

MilkShake Factory | ETA: Summer 2025

More cool, sweet treats are coming to Indy just in time for summer. MilkShake Factory is opening a couple of locations in central Indiana — one opens in June in Nora + a second location opens in Avon in July.

Raising Cane’s, 8739 US Hwy 31 S. | ETA: December 2025

A fourth Indianapolis-area location is in the works. Construction has begun for a new location less than a half-mile north of the Greenwood Park Mall. This will be the first location in the south Indy suburbs.

Protein Bar & Kitchen | ETA: Spring 2026

Meeting your macro goals will get easier with three locations coming to Indy next year. All storefronts will be owned by IndyCar reporter Jamie Little.

King Jugg Brewery, 151 N. Eighth St. | ETA: 2027

A new brewery is coming to downtown Noblesville at the former site of Bolden Dry Cleaners. It will have an indoor/outdoor dining area, a basketball court, a children’s play area, and a raised stage/dance floor.

Encanto Alebrije, 10 W. Washington St. | ETA: TBA

The former Rock Bottom Brewery space will soon be home to a new Mexican restaurant serving food representing the different states of Mexico.

The Sports Bra, Location TBA | ETA: TBA

This bar that only shows women’s sports is planning a franchise location in Indy. Timeline + location have not yet been shared.

Still hungry for more? Dig deeper through our food news.

Fans of the Las Vegas Aces will soon have their very own bar to cheer on the two-time WNBA champions and the city’s other women’s sports teams when The Sports Bra opens in Las Vegas.

The popular Portland, Oregon bar and restaurant—the first sports bar dedicated to exclusively showing women’s sports—just announced it will open franchises in four new cities: Las Vegas, Boston, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Each new location will be locally owned and operated.

Las Vegas franchise owner Esther Taylor says The Sports Bra is more than just a place to watch the game. “It’s a movement that empowers girls and women to feel valued, seen and celebrated. I aim to build a community where women’s sports are at the forefront and where everyone feels encouraged to support and uplift one another.”

The location for The Sports Bra in Las Vegas has not been announced.

The Sports Bra in Portland received plenty of national attention in April 2022 when it introduced the concept of only playing women’s sporting events on bar televisions. Now, with the popularity of the WNBA growing and other female sports leagues, such as the Women’s National Football Conference (which includes the Las Vegas Silver Stars), thriving, the idea of expanding into new markets makes perfect sense.

According to a recent report from Barbarian and The GIST, media coverage of women’s sports has increased by 275 percent over the past five years, and revenue is projected to reach $2.35 billion in 2024.

Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, is excited that other cities will soon be able to support their local female athletes. “The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five.’ Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong.”

A celebrated sports bar that is solely dedicated to showcasing women’s sports is expanding into Massachusetts.

The Sports Bra announced Tuesday that it will open locations in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, St. Louis and Boston.

“The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five,’” Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, said in an online press release. “Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong. There is no better moment than this to open these places.”

The Sports Bra, an Oregon-based sports bar that is 100% dedicated to showcasing women’s sports, is opening five locations across the country in in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and St. Louis.FLI Media

The Sports Bra was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2022. The sports bar aims to empower and promote girls and women in sports as well as in the community.

The Sports Bra’s made-from-scratch menu features elevated versions of dishes typically served at sports bars. Standout food items include Mom’s Baby Back Ribs and Aunt Tina’s Vietna-Glaze Wings while popular cocktails include The GOAT, Title IX, Cherry Picker and Pickle Ball.

“We know from experience that traditional sports bar fare isn’t for everyone,” Nguyen said. “That’s why we offer thoughtfully prepared dishes for every dietary need, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free menu options.”

The Sports Bra also helps to advocate for gender equity in sports. The company did not specify exactly where or when the Boston franchise would open.

When Jenny Nguyen opened The Sports Bra, the world’s first sports bar playing only women’s sports, she knew she had a solid name and idea. Whether or not people would respond was an open question, but Nguyen was optimistic.

Her ultimate dream was The Sports Bra as a drop in a tidal wave of support for women’s sports.

“I think we’re on the cusp of something huge,” Nguyen told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 2022.

Three years later, it turns out she was right.

Since opening, women’s sports in the city have continued to grow in popularity, and Portland has even been picked as the home of a new WNBA team.

And sports bars playing women’s sports on TV are in demand, too, with at least a dozen copycat bars popping up across the country.

And The Sports Bra itself is growing, expanding into cities across the country.

The Sports Bra announced in the fall that it would begin to franchise with investment from Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian. And on Tuesday, the locations of the next Sports Bra locations were revealed: Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and St. Louis.

A press release from the company noted that those cities already support women’s sports, with teams like the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever, as well as professional hockey, football and soccer teams.

“The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five,’” Nguyen said in the press release. “Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong. There is no better moment than this to open these places.”

Addresses and opening dates for the new locations have not yet been announced.

– Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com.