Heroics Sports Lounge: A New Era for Women’s Sports in Iowa

Located at 2005 Ingersoll Avenue, the future of women’s athletics in Des Moines may soon take a vibrant turn with the anticipated opening of Heroics Sports Lounge. Owned by Jami Behun and LaQuita Lucas, this establishment is poised to become Iowa’s first bar dedicated exclusively to showcasing women’s sports.

Approval Process for Opening

This coming Monday, the Des Moines City Council will consider a liquor license application for Heroics, marking a critical step before the bar can officially open its doors. If approved, it will clear the last major hurdle for the launch.

Transforming a Local Space

The venue was previously home to the cocktail bar Juniper Moon until its closure in the summer of 2025. Now, amid renovations and signage of a fresh vision, Behun and Lucas are determined to reshape the space into a vibrant hub for women’s athletics. “Women’s sports — they’re going to be showcased here,” Behun stated, expressing her commitment to creating an environment where female sports take center stage.

A Dedicated Viewing Experience

At Heroics, all eight televisions will focus exclusively on women’s collegiate and professional sports. This concept emerged from Behun’s frustrations in previous experiences when trying to catch women’s games at local bars. “Going to a bar or restaurant and asking somebody to turn the channel — sometimes it’s a struggle,” she shared, recalling instances when requests to air women’s events were overlooked in favor of men’s sports.

Capitalizing on Growing Interest

The momentum behind women’s sports is reaching new heights, fueled by high-profile athletes such as Iowa-native and WNBA star Caitlin Clark. “Maybe capitalize on that,” Behun suggested, advocating for the need to create dedicated spaces for women’s sporting events.

A National Trend

Heroics joins a growing trend in the U.S., where similar venues are emerging in cities like Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, and Cleveland, Ohio. By the end of 2025, more than two dozen sports-centric places focused on women’s athletics are expected to open across the country.

Looking Ahead

If the liquor license is granted, Behun and Lucas aim to complete construction and celebrate the grand opening by Thanksgiving. In the meantime, the duo is excited to offer a sneak peek of what Heroics will have to offer with a pop-up event scheduled with Exile Brewing on November 4.