Latest news with #sportsbar
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
HULK HOGAN'S SLAM SPORTS BAR TO OPEN AS A TRIBUTE TO LATE WRESTLING ICON
NEW YORK, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is mourning the loss of Hulk Hogan, the wrestling icon, pop culture legend, and true American hero whose impact transcended generations. As fans across the globe reflect on his towering legacy, the team behind Hulk Hogan's SLAM Sports Bar has announced that the highly anticipated venue will open as planned this fall. Not just as a bar, but as a living tribute to the man who defined sports entertainment. Hulk Hogan's final business venture, SLAM, was born from his vision to create a destination where fans could celebrate the unforgettable moments that defined his career and the many sports legends who followed. Located directly across from Madison Square Garden, the sacred arena where Hulkamania was born, SLAM will now open its doors in his honor. "Hulk Hogan wasn't just a partner. He was a dear friend and a legend whose impact on sports and entertainment is immeasurable," said Rich Rosen, President and CEO of American Sports Bar Entertainment, the developer behind the project. "From the very beginning, Hulk poured his heart into this project. He shaped the spirit of what SLAM was meant to be, a place where fans from around the world could gather at the very corner where his legend began, to celebrate his legacy and the unforgettable moments that defined his career. I made a promise to Hulk that we'd bring this dream to life. That promise remains unshakable. SLAM will open its doors as a living tribute to Hulk Hogan, right across from Madison Square Garden, the place he called home. It will be the greatest sports entertainment venue New York has ever seen. This is for Hulk, and for every person whose life was touched by the power of Hulkamania." Madison Square Garden held a special place in Hogan's heart. He won his first championship there, headlined the first WrestleMania there, and proudly declared, "I spent 40 years of my life in that building tearing that place down." Hogan's deep connection to MSG and to his fans inspired SLAM, where his legacy will be celebrated daily. As the world says goodbye to Hulk Hogan, SLAM stands as a promise kept. A new home for Hulkamania and a place where the legend lives on. Official opening details will be announced soon. For updates, follow @hulkhogansslamsportsbar on Instagram or visit to be the first to reserve your seat at the most electrifying launch of the year. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE American Sports Bar Entertainment
Irish Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
A missed opportunity for Portugal Rugby to revive the spirit of 2023
The manager of the Couch Sports Bar in Lisbon was insouciance personified as he brushed past the collection of anxious punters, who looked longingly down the stairwell at a locked door. Time didn't stand still, but it did appear to crawl as more faces joined the throng on Saturday morning awaiting the advertised 11am admittance. Phones were regularly rechecked. At 10.59, a bolt turned, the door was pushed open. There was a cartoon element to the descent, the mass of bodies resembling a shoal of sprat moving in harmony, as they swam through the door. Punters turned into proprietors, taking stools down off the bar counter and tables. There were more than a dozen televisions including a snug called the 'Samsung stadium'. People grabbed a preferred vantage point. Undaunted, the bar manager/owner offered a Portuguese version of the Spanish 'mañana' attitude, or 'depois logo se vê' in the local tongue, which translates as 'we'll deal with it later'. He surveyed the crowd, performed two or three chores before rummaging to find a remote control to turn on televisions, one by one. The hyperventilation was palpable, customers only exhaled when the Lions match burst into life on the screens. READ MORE Even then he refused to turn off the booming pub tunes. No commentary, but no one seemed to care. Alone he stood behind the bar, one pair of hands to accommodate the never-ending slew of orders from the first to last minute. The special was five Moscow Mules for the price of four. A sign read 'no table service'. There weren't too many other rules. In some respects, the scene offered a microcosm of rugby in Portugal, accommodating but overwhelmed by the detail of modern Test rugby and not just on the pitch. The only media access to Portugal head coach Simon Mannix was after the Captain's Run at 5pm on the Friday. The New Zealander and his forwards coach Andy Kyriacou were once of Munster, so there was an obvious interest. Ireland Fans Daniel Walsh, James Vance, Michael Moore, Gavin Horan, Hugo Walsh and Alan Horgan in Lisbon before the game. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Antonio, the Portuguese media liaison, was very helpful and obliging in so many ways, as were his acolytes, but there was no sense that a Test match against Ireland was a coveted opportunity to publicise the game to a wider audience. There were no match programmes, and on the eve of the game it came to light that no match clock or shot clock, in placekicking terms, had been organised. Judging by the fact that what was eventually produced resembled an advertising hoarding to the extreme back left of one end of the stadium – it also served as the scoreboard – it appeared to have been a rush job. Matters were compounded further during the Test when the communications link from referee Adam Leal to television match official Matteo Lipperini dropped in the first half, never to be restored. [ With the Lions away in Australia, Ireland debutants have real chance to shine against Portugal Opens in new window ] Ironically, one of the only times that it functioned was to deny Portugal fullback Nuno Sousa Guedes a try for a forward pass in the build-up. Anecdotally the Portugal Rugby union operates on a financial shoestring, five full-time employees or thereabouts. It's also reflected in the stewarding, smiling and helpful but carried out with minimal numbers, one per entrance to the stand. Moving the match to the iconic 37,000-capacity Estádio Nacional do Jamor was a misstep. The official word was that 8,000 tickets had been sold. The crowd on the day, dominated by Ireland jerseys, looked appreciably smaller. The momentum generated by Portugal's brilliant performances in the 2023 World Cup appears to have dissipated alarmingly, and it's not just in the 106-7 skelping they received on Saturday. Georgia are much further down the road in rugby terms. Ireland's Tom Stewart and Tom Ahern celebrate as Alex Kendellen scores his team's 14th try against Portugal. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho And yet it didn't really compromise the enjoyment of being in Lisbon at the same time as one of Europe's biggest music festivals, NOS Alive. It probably helps to be of a certain vintage. Muse and Olivia Rodrigo were the only two of 112 acts that I recognised. One member of the media expressed an interest in seeing DJ Boring. Lisbon has an innate charm, the cobbled streets and narrow footpaths that climb from the sea to the bohemian Bairro Alto neighbourhood housing tapas bars and clubs. There's something for everyone. The city has a young presence in tourist terms as much as the older traveller. In Portugal hash is decriminalised for personal use, up to five grammes. At night, in many areas where there's a vibrant nightlife, you'd struggle to walk 200 metres without being offered it, or another narcotic that's definitely not legal. There are other attractions, and you can be taken there in Lisbon's versions of souped-up tuk-tuk style carriages, albeit on a much grander scale. Some of the Ireland players and management headed for Oitavos Dunes on Thursday to enjoy some downtime, the only Portuguese course to be ranked in the top 100 golf courses of the world by Golf Magazine, a beautiful multilayered venue that takes in views of the Sintra mountains and the visually arresting coastline that wraps around Cascais Bay – basically a mix of sand dunes, umbrella pines and high cliffs. On the Saturday night, Ireland players, partners, family and friends escaped their hotel for a little while and headed to the famous 'Pink Street' – so called because the road surface is a vivid pink colour – that houses a mishmash of bars, clubs and eateries beloved of both the locals and tourists. They partied in to the wee hours, the rugby season finally over, but also in recognition of a successful tour, relatively speaking, where individual development rather than results was of greater import.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hulk Hogan makes $7million business move amid shock health concerns and 'deathbed' rumors
While WWE icon Hulk Hogan is still reeling from shock health concerns where some believed he was on his deathbed, the professional wrestling legend is part of the team opening a sports bar in New York City. The $7million project will be a multi-floor establishment where his fans can eat your vitamins, say their prayers, and drink plenty of liquor. The bar will be called 'Slam' and is located at the intersection of West 31st Street and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan with windows facing the world-famous Madison Square Garden, where several of Hogan's defining moments inside the squared circle took place, per Page Six. Hogan, 71, will not have any ownership in 'Slam' and his partnership with Rich Rosen, is only a licensing deal so the bar can use the Hulkster's name and likeness. Last week, Hogan had to swat away concerns that he was close to dying after past nemesis Bubba the Love Sponge said live on air that a 'pretty damn reliable' source had told him the 71-year-old was in such bad health that he 'might not make it'. However, it is believed Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is not close to death and was only in the hospital to address health problems he's struggled with for years. Before his health concerns were publicized, Hogan was approached by Rosen, who owns nearby SCORES Sports Bar, about the project at an autograph signing. The bar will be littered with Hogan memorabilia and will have television screens where his fans can relive his greatest moments. Slam will also try to resemble the inside of Madison Square Garden, complete with a jumbotron inside the venue. Hogan already has another bar, Hogan's Hangout, in Florida, with 'The Immortal' expected to be making frequent visits to his New York drinking hole. The 13-time world champion made his WWE debut at Madison Square Garden in 1979 and main-evented the first WrestleMania at the venue in 1985. His most recent appearance at Madison Square Garden was on stage at a Donald Trump rally several days before he won the Presidential election over Kamala Harris last October. Hogan has not appeared at a wrestling event since getting loudly booed during WWE Monday Night RAW's debut on Netflix in January. The all-time wrestling great is no stranger to surgery after recently telling WWE superstar Logan Paul that he had at least 25 from 2014 to 2024 alone. 'I've had 10 back surgeries,' he said during an appearance on Logan's 'Impaulsive' podcast. 'Both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders - everything.' While he is not on his deathbed, Hogan did spark fears over his health after making a bizarre appearance on Fox News last month. Fans were left concerned when he appeared as a special guest on Fox & Friends at the start of May sporting a worrying new look. Renowned for his deep tan, the WWE great's skin looked particularly weathered on air, while his usual white beard appeared to be dyed black despite his goatee and hair being left white - making for a strange contrast. One viewer wrote on social media: 'tell Hulk Hogan his face is dirty, clean that soot off.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It's a movement': Silver Lake is home to L.A.'s first women's sports bar
"For once, I want to watch a game at the bar with sound on instead of some random spot in the corner," says Janie Ellingwood. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) When Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood went to a local brewery one night to watch a U.S. Women's National Team soccer game with some friends, they didn't think it would be a big deal to ask the staff to turn on the sound. The bartenders had always been friendly to the married couple, who frequented the bar at least a few times a week. And they were the only patrons in the small room, situated away from the main viewing area where the volume was on full blast. So they were surprised when the staff curtly shot down their request without any explanation. Opened in early June to coincide with Pride Month, Untamed Spirits is the first women's sports bar in the city of Los Angeles. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) The Ellingwoods continued watching the nail-biting game with subtitles, but as it got more and more exciting, customers began spilling over to their side of the bar. Before long, the small room was packed. Advertisement "We were all cheering,' says Janie. 'We all gave each other high-fives." The wife-and-wife duo took over another sports bar in Silver Lake and turned it into Untamed Spirits, the first women's sports bar in L.A. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) Still, the staff refused to turn up the volume. The experience left the Ellingwoods, who are diehard fans of the L.A. Sparks and season-ticket holders for Angel City Football Club, wondering why there weren't any bars in Los Angeles where they could comfortably watch women's sports without feeling ostracized. So they decided to create their own. After months of searching for a location, the wife-and-wife duo took over another sports bar in Silver Lake — formerly known as Trophy Wife — and turned it into Untamed Spirits, the first women's sports bar in the city of L.A. Advertisement Read more: Crowds flock to new Long Beach bar showcasing women's sports Opened in early June to coincide with Pride Month, Untamed Spirits joins a short list of bars in the U.S. dedicated to women's sports, including Portland's Sports Bra, which is expanding to four new cities including Las Vegas and Boston; Rough & Tumble in Seattle; Minnesota's A Bar of Their Own; and Rikki's in San Francisco. Long Beach's Watch Me! Sports Bar, which opened its doors last July, was the first in California. Stephanie, 37, who played professional golf for a few years, felt that L.A. needed something like this. "Something that's a little bit classier, that isn't sticky when you put your arms on the bar," she describes. "For once, I want to watch a game at the bar with sound on instead of some random spot in the corner," Janie, 34, adds. The bar is sleek and modern — a neon pink sign reads "Welcome to the Untamed Era," and whimsical black and white illustrations cover a few of the walls. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) On a recent Tuesday night, Janie was behind the counter pouring drinks, including their signature Angel City pink punch, for patrons sitting at the bar, which was adorned with rainbow flags and an Angel City Football Club flag. Meanwhile, Stephanie was floating around the space, checking on customers. The couple, who met while playing volleyball together at La Quinta High School, also run a made-to-order croissant bakery based in Orange County and remodel and manage residential properties throughout Southern California. Advertisement The bar is sleek and modern — a neon pink sign reads "Welcome to the Untamed Era," and whimsical black and white illustrations cover a few of the walls. Menstrual products are displayed on the bathroom counter. The spacious patio is filled with plants and a sign that says "Watch Women's Sports Here." (There's a TV in nearly every corner, so there's no bad seat.) Although Untamed Spirits specializes in women's sports of all kinds — even the more niche ones like kayaking, Janie says — the bar also plays men's sports. "Some people might call it a trend, but it's not a trend," Janie says. "I believe it's a movement." (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) Read more: It's like Vegas' Sphere — kinda. 7 things to know about L.A.'s otherworldly new venue Sitting at a table with a date and two friends, Marina Sobreviñas, 31, says she's found that queer bars like Hi Tops in Los Feliz are more likely to play women's sports, but she felt that "it's about time" there is a spot dedicated to them. She recalls her experience trying to watch the FIFA Women's World Cup at a bar. Untamed Spirits offers bar food with an international twist with dishes like kimchi fried rice. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) Untamed Spirits sells nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks including margaritas and a signature Angel City pink punch. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) "There was like, one World Cup TV out of the 10 TVs they had going, and it was sort of fascinating," she says. "Like, 'Am I'm the only one wearing a jersey today? OK, no problem.'" Advertisement Sobreviñas says that women's sports are just as exciting as men's sports. Lisa Marie Ornelas, 30, agrees. "Women [athletes], in a way, have a little bit more to prove," she says. Untamed Spirits arrives in L.A. at a time when interest in women's sports is expanding at a "meteoric pace" across the globe, according to Nielsen. The 2024 NCAA women's basketball tournament averaged nearly 19 million viewers (with a peak of 24 million viewers for the final game between Iowa and South Carolina), an 89% bump from the previous year. The WNBA draft audience jumped 511%, and overall interest in the league grew 29% between 2023 and 2024. The National Women's Soccer League saw a 17% boost in interest between 2023 and 2024. With the heightened interest, ad spending also increased: In 2024, TV advertisers spent $244 million on women's sports, a year-over-year increase of 139%, according to TV marketing firm EDO. Untamed Spirits has indoor seating and a spacious patio where patrons can enjoy sports of all kinds. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) "Women in general have been playing great sports for a long time," says Stephanie. "I just think the right people who have the ability to put them in the spotlight are finally noticing." Advertisement More women's sports bars are expected to open throughout the country. Jax Diener, who opened Watch Me! Sports Bar in Long Beach with her wife about a year ago, recalls when women's sports weren't aired on TV at all. She went to the first WNBA game at the Forum in 1997. Untamed Spirits recently became an official bar partner of the Angel City Football Club. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) "We used to come home after those games that were so exciting and turn on the sports that night to see the replays, and they weren't even mentioned," says Diener. "It was as if the league didn't even exist." Diener says she was excited when she heard about another women's sports bar opening in Southern California. "To me, it was really important for them to know that we're in this together," she says, adding that she has a text thread with other women's sports bar owners where they share advice. "This is not a competition. This is women supporting women." Advertisement Untamed Spirits recently became an official bar partner of the Angel City Football Club, which has a majority female-led ownership group that includes Natalie Portman, Abby Wambach and America Ferrera. The Ellingwoods will host their first watch party on Sept. 7 when the ACFC takes on Gotham FC. Janie and Stephanie, who've been at the bar every day since it opened, say they are excited to eventually distill their own spirits, host more events and watch parties in the space and foster community among women's sports lovers. "Some people might call it a trend, but it's not a trend," Janie says. "I believe it's a movement." Janie, left, and Stephanie Ellingwood say they are excited to eventually distill their own spirits, host more events and watch parties in the space and foster community among women's sports lovers. (Alyson Aliano / For The Times) Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom's Watch Bar Expands Washington Footprint with Updated Location Inside ilani's Sportsbook
Largest LED Video Wall in the Region Among New Features at Reimagined Sports Bar Experience DENVER, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tom's Watch Bar, the ultimate destination for sports viewing and entertainment, today announced the grand opening of its expanded location inside ilani in Ridgefield, Washington. Located adjacent to the casino's onsite sportsbook, this updated venue is purpose-built to deliver an unparalleled sports viewing experience, seamlessly connecting fans to the energy of live games to create an enhanced, engaging environment for in-person sports betting. This opening comes as Tom's Watch Bar continues to redefine the sports bar experience nationwide. Opening to the public at the end of June, the new venue replaces the original Tom's Urban at ilani with a larger 7,509-square-foot space, connected to the casino's state-of-the-art sportsbook. The former Tom's Urban at ilani had operated successfully since June 1, 2017. 'This transition represents more than just a move—it's a powerful evolution of our brand,' said Shannon McNiel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tom's Watch Bar. 'Together with our partners at ilani and The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, we've created a next-generation venue that truly delivers on our promise of 'All the Sports, All the Time.'' Key features of the new Tom's Watch Bar at ilani include: The largest LED video wall in the region, delivering an immersive game-day experience Over 30 high-definition TVs, ensuring guests catch every play from every angle A dynamic LED-powered sports ticker board, displaying real-time scores, odds, and breaking news Premium viewing technology, a vibrant atmosphere, and an elevated food and beverage menu 'We are thrilled to support and celebrate the evolution of Tom's brand to Tom's Watch Bar as they bring their dynamic brand to The Stadium venue, transforming this iconic space into a destination that amplifies the fan experience,' said Kara Fox LaRose, President and General Manager of ilani. 'With the region's largest video wall and a shared passion for high-energy entertainment, this evolution is a natural fit. It also reflects our broader commitment to delivering standout amenities that enhance our overall offerings and create memorable moments for our guests.' This opening further strengthens the company's footprint as Tom's Watch Bar continues its accelerated national expansion, now operating 16 locations coast to coast. The brand's expanded presence at ilani underscores a specific and strategic focus on entertainment destinations, including casinos, where the brand is well-positioned to capitalize on growing consumer demand for high-energy sports viewing environments that blend technology, hospitality, and excitement. Tom's Watch Bar also operates successful, integrated venues at casinos in Connecticut and at its flagship Las Vegas location. For more information, visit About Tom's Watch Bar Tom's Watch Bar defines the ultimate sports-watching entertainment experience with its signature 'All the Sports, All the Time' model. Featuring cutting-edge AV technology, wall-to-wall screens, and a menu that balances craveable classics with elevated offerings, Tom's Watch Bar delivers an unmatched atmosphere for fans of every sport. Founded in 2014 and now operating 16 locations nationwide, Tom's Watch Bar is rapidly expanding across major U.S. cities and entertainment hubs. Media Contact: Marisa Breese, ICR tomswatchbar@ in to access your portfolio
