The 11 Bar: Brussels’ first pop‑up bar for women’s sports

This summer, Brussels gets a new kind of sports bar – one where women’s sports take centre stage. The 11 Bar, a pop‑up project in the heart of the city, is billed as the first bar in Brussels dedicated to women’s sports, created by fans who were tired of seeing women’s competitions pushed to the margins of mainstream sports coverage. Between big screens, community vibes and a clear feminist angle, it’s set to become a new meeting point for supporters, players and allies.

A bar where women’s sports are the main event

According to the project’s website and social media, The 11 Bar is designed as a place where you can actually watch women’s sports together, without having to ask for a channel change or sit through ten men’s games for one women’s match. From football to basketball, rugby, cycling and more, the idea is simple: put women athletes on the big screen, give them the same audio, the same atmosphere, the same loud cheers.

The bar presents itself as a pop‑up, which means it’s time‑limited but also experimental. The team actively invites people to help shape the bar by filling in a survey – what competitions you want to see, what kind of events you’d like to attend, how the space can be as inclusive as possible. It’s not just a bar you consume; it’s a bar you co‑create.

A Brussels playground for fans, players and allies

From the visuals and slogans shared online, The 11 Bar leans into gaming and fan culture: “Brussels will get you moving” and “star athlete or sideline cheerleader, we won’t judge you either way.” You can arrive as a hardcore supporter who knows every player’s stats or as someone just discovering a new team or sport – the point is to enjoy it together.

For KET’s readers, this matters on several levels. Brussels is already home to queer‑friendly bars, bookshops and art spaces; The 11 Bar adds a new layer, where sports culture is approached from a feminist and inclusive angle. It’s a reminder that stadiums, pitches and courts are also political spaces, and that who gets shown on screen – and how – sends a message about whose achievements count.

Women’s sports, queer spectators and safer spaces

Women’s sports bars have emerged in several cities as safer, more inclusive alternatives to classic sports bars, which can sometimes reproduce macho and homophobic atmospheres. The 11 Bar taps into that international trend, but in a very Brussels way: multilingual communication, a mix of humour and activism, and an explicit invitation to different audiences – from star athletes to “sideline cheerleaders.”

For queer women, non‑binary people and allies who love sports but don’t always feel comfortable in mainstream fan spaces, The 11 Bar has the potential to become a new kind of third place. A spot where you can yell at the screen, talk tactics, crush on players and share a drink without having to shrink yourself or play along with sexist commentary.

Practical info

Details such as exact opening dates, opening hours and match schedules are published via the bar’s website and social media. To keep up with programming (matches, special events, viewing parties, possible collaborations with clubs or fan groups), the team encourages people to follow @the11bxl on Instagram and to check their website regularly.

A survey about this project here.

KET Magazine is a community‑driven, non‑profit magazine run by volunteers and based in Brussels. You can find our other articles on queer culture, nightlife and community spaces on ket.brussels, and you can always write to us to share your projects or pitch a story: info@ket.brussels.