This Seaport restaurant is hosting a women's sports pop-up

At Para Maria, the global fusion restaurant inside the Seaport’s Envoy Hotel, a bold new pop-up is redefining what game day looks like in Boston. Running through April 30 as “261 at Para Maria,” this sports bar concept puts women’s sports squarely in the spotlight and honors the legacy of these trailblazing athletes.

The name “261” carries deep meaning, paying tribute to Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967. Facing intense resistance, her bib number became a symbol of resilience and progress and sets the tone for the space. The spot will host viewing parties (Boston Legacy NWSL matches, The Fleet games, and national women's sporting events), the upcoming NCAA Women's March Madness (watch parties, bracket nights, and themed programming), fan nights, and themed discussions celebrating teams, athletes, and the business of women's sports.  

"261 represents reclamation," explains Executive Chef Tatiana Rosana, noting that women in sports shouldn't be seen as a niche, but instead as the standard. "It should feel normal and undeniable. It’s about taking something that once excluded women and turning it into a symbol of strength, visibility, and belonging - a reminder that women have always been capable, even when systems said otherwise." At 261, women aren’t an afterthought; they're the foundation. "The goal was to create a space that feels lived-in and real, like women actually exist here, compete here, celebrate here." 

Set within Para Maria near the giant patio that's an outdoor respite during warmer weather, the nook offers a true watch party atmosphere - thanks to two high-top benches with stools that encourage conversation and cheering, as well as two dedicated televisions. And the timing for a women’s sports spot couldn’t be better. The city is clearly experiencing a surge of interest, with the arrival of Boston Fleet hockey and Boston Legacy FC soccer team adding fresh energy to the city’s well-known passionate sports culture.

“The vibe of being able to ask for a women’s sport game on the screen is huge. You can request the sound on without worrying. It’s comfortable,” says Josh Glover, general manager at Para Maria Kitchen and Bar, of the welcoming, inclusive environment that’s intentional and long-overdue. Thoughtful details, storytelling, and making sure every touchpoint reflects respect for women’s achievements are important to the restaurant's team. 

"Ultimately, empowerment here isn’t loud or forced. It’s confident, grounded, and embedded into the experience without needing to announce itself," continues Chef Rosana.

As you take a seat, you’re surrounded by greatness: floor-to-ceiling black and white panels of influential figures who have shaped women’s sports across generations. The Boston Globe photos showcase the blood, sweat, and tears that women athletes have faced as they competed, pushed back, and won. The exhibit runs throughout 261's residency, documenting defining moments in Boston women's sports history, including Switzer's famous 261 Marathon photo, US Gymnast Aly Raisman floor program, and a 2024 save shot by Boston goalie Aerin Franklin during the Professional Women's Hockey League Finals in the Tsongas Arena.  

While you can order off of the restaurant’s main menu, there’s a dedicated menu that Chef Rosana delivers with a playful, elevated take on bar food. Dishes like Switzer’s Sliders and The Fleet Flatbread nod to local teams and icons, along with cocktails such as the Kathrine Spritzer and The Green Legacy. Bonus points: proceeds from both drinks go to Dream Big, a Boston-based non-profit helping girls and young women from low-income situations to achieve their dreams by providing them with equipment, sports attire, and more. 

Between bites, you can dive into foosball, tabletop games, and a packed calendar. The next event is April 11 for the Boston Fleet game at the TD Garden.

If opening weekend is any indication (Glover notes the pop-up's overflowing crowds and buzzing energy), 261 is more of a movement than a moment. And with whispers of extending its time at Para Maria beyond April, he asks the question: “Why wouldn’t we?”