Rikki's, San Francisco’s first women’s sports bar, celebrated its soft launch amid excitement from a mostly female crowd. The bar honors Rikki Streicher, a notable queer community activist. Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman participated in the opening ceremony, emphasizing the importance of a women-owned space in the predominantly male bar landscape of the Castro. Attendees, excited about the growing recognition of women's sports, highlighted Rikki's as a welcoming environment for all, aiming to enhance community support and visibility for women athletes.
"Can you believe it's finally here?!" cried one woman, overcome with excitement as she was ushered in through the front door to Rikki's at 2223 Market St.
Lurie looked on as Mandelman applauded the opening of a queer, woman-owned business in the neighborhood, awarding Thoe and Yergovich with a 'Certificate of Honor.'
"There is space in the Castro for Rikki's," said Yergovich, to applause, "This is a space where everyone is welcome to celebrate women's sports."
"We haven't always been welcoming to everyone in the [Castro]," said Mandelman, remarking upon the large number of bars owned by gay men in the LGBTQ friendly neighborhood.
Collection
[
|
...
]