Q‑Hall, a queer‑owned hangout built around women’s sports, is gearing up to open on Asheville’s South Slope this summer with a target debut in September. Founder JJ Pope says the spot will double as the city’s only self‑identified lesbian bar, with every screen locked in on women’s athletics.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Q‑Hall is planning to open by September and will operate without a full kitchen, focusing on drinks, nonalcoholic options and snacks. Customers will be encouraged to bring takeout from nearby restaurants, and Pope is lining up karaoke, trivia and other community‑driven events to keep the place buzzing.
Every Screen For Women's Sports
Q‑Hall’s website lays out the house rules clearly: every television will be devoted to women’s sports, including the WNBA, NWSL, college basketball, softball, volleyball, hockey and tennis, so no one has to ask a bartender to flip the channel. While the permanent venue is under construction and fundraising continues, the team is hosting pop‑ups across Asheville and collecting local jerseys and trophies to fill the walls. Fans can find event details and sign‑up forms on Q‑Hall.
Why The Timing Makes Sense
Deloitte projects that global revenue from women’s elite sports will top 3 billion dollars in 2026, a surge that has drawn extra attention from media companies and sponsors. Q‑Hall’s founder says the concept clicked after a visit to The Sports Bra in Portland, which centers women’s games, and she wants Asheville to have a similar home base for queer fans and young athletes, as reported by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Built With Community Backing
Q‑Hall’s event hub notes that the team secured a 100,000 dollar loan from Mountain BizWorks and opened a community investment round on Wefunder to cover AV upgrades, programming and launch costs. The buildout is moving alongside monthly pop‑ups and an ongoing call for donated jerseys, a push highlighted by 6AM City and other local outlets.
For now, supporters can keep up with pop‑up dates and investment news through the bar’s online pages and social media. Organizers say they are aiming for a September opening that will give LGBTQ+ fans in Western North Carolina a consistent queer, women‑first space to watch the games.
