Athena Keke’s

Everyone watches women’s sports. And those who do, do so at Athena Keke’s. Co-founders and couple Claudia “Clau” Capriles and Alexandra “Al” Murray have created a Clinton Hill sports haven that’s as charming as it is welcoming, looking more like a retro-futuristic diner than a classic dive bar. But Athena Keke’s is every bit as serious about sports, broadcasting women’s games across its TVs and projectors. That commitment—along with excellent cocktails and globally inspired bites—gives even those of us who may be lacking in the sports department a reason to celebrate.

The vibe: The inside of Athena Keke's is as if a posh diner started vibing with the '80s synthwave aesthetic, with neon lights that glow pink at dusk, marble countertops and blue and blush velvet booths that curve and kiss the walls. There are countless cat motifs here—the bar is named after the couple's tabby—as well as sparkly sports paraphernalia, with bedazzled soccer and tennis disco balls and basketball hoops that dangle necklaces over the nets. TVs constantly stream women's sports (and men's, given whose playing) and can get quite crowded during game time. But standing room is a thing, and there are plenty of TVs along each wall, plus a drop-down projector to catch all the action. 

The food: Burgers, sad wings and beer? Out. Bolivian cheesy bites and crisp pork belly sandwiches? In. Leaning on her hometown of La Paz, Bolivia, paired with a little finesse from time spent at down-the-street neighboring wine bar Place des Fêtes, Capriles's game time grub includes cuñapes (the aforementioned cheesy bites), panzanella with all the springy greens and medium rare steak sandwiches lightly tossed in a burnt leek chimichurri (that we wish had a bit more than just meat for some oomph). But the dessert may just be her most personal: delicate, powdered-sugar-dusted alfajores are gleaned from her mother's recipe.

The drinks: The sheer amount of cocktails here, two pages worth, is something to be admired. There's a rummy riff on a Manhattan found in the Now You're Gay cocktail, with coconut rum and cardamaro and a Bodega Sammie martini that drinks like you've picked it up from your local corner with mustardy vodka and a spear of a pepperocini on the nose. And if you want to pace yourself through the game (or just try a bunch of martinis while still remembering the score), you can get a mini martini for just $8. 

Time Out tip: Memorialize the experience by dropping a few quarters in the sticker/print machine at the exit (fingers crossed for one of the cat stickers!).