Rita Ray's: Women's Sport Gets Its Own Bar in Stockport

Rita Ray's isn't your average sports bar opening. Coming to Weir Mill this spring, it's the first venue in the North built to put women's sport front and centre with all sport on, all fans welcome and great drinks guaranteed.

The venue is the brainchild of founder Becky Brown, a lifelong sports fan who named the bar after her grandparents, Rita and Raymond. "Our vision is simple," says Becky. "We want to highlight women's achievements in sport, provide a fun and welcoming community for everyone, and play a pivotal part in supporting the industry's incredible growth."

A sports bar for all

The Rita Ray's concept blends the energy of a traditional sports bar with the feel of a premium cocktail bar, so great drinks, and a somewhere you can really get in to the game.

It's designed to be a safe, inclusive space that champions female athletes past, present and future, with all sports shown on screen and all fans welcome at the bar. A warm and welcoming place to spend a Saturday afternoon, whether you're there for the Lionesses, the Red Roses or the Premier League.

The timing couldn't be better

Women's sport has never had more momentum. The sold-out watch parties for the Women's Euros and Rugby World Cup Finals in recent years have proved the demand is real and fans just need the right spaces to come together.

Across the Atlantic, women's sports bars have quadrupled in number in 2025 alone. The UK is catching up, with Stockport leading the way in the North of England.

Part of something bigger at Weir Mill

Rita Ray's is opening as part of Weir Mill, Capital & Centric's ongoing regeneration of one of Stockport's most exciting new destinations. It'll sit alongside independent bars, restaurants and hospitality venues in a development that's shaping up to be a new cultural hub for the town.

"Location was key for us," says Becky. "We're so excited to be part of this new cultural destination alongside other independent businesses that will sit at the heart of this new community."

Rita Ray's opens at Weir Mill, Stockport, later this spring. Follow @ritaraysbar on Instagram for updates, or visit ritarays.co.uk.