Australia’s pioneering women’s sports bar, The Ladies’ League (TLL), located on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, Sydney, is set to close just four months after its grand opening in August 2024. The owners announced the decision via an Instagram post, attributing the closure to the ongoing cost of living crisis and decreased customer spending.
Despite hosting successful events for high-profile women’s sports, such as Matildas and Sydney FC games, TLL struggled to sustain overall patronage during non-event times, reflecting a broader trend within the hospitality industry amid economic pressures. In their heartfelt message, the owners expressed their disappointment at not being able to overcome financial barriers and thanked supporters for their encouragement.
TLL was touted as a safe space for female sports enthusiasts, aiming to foster a vibrant community around women’s sporting events, broadcasting matches multiple times a week. The closure has sparked a wave of dismay among patrons, with many expressing gratitude for the welcoming environment it provided. As the owners wish for future ventures of a similar nature, they acknowledged the harsh realities of the current economic climate that influenced their decision.