On Friday, May 8th, while many New Yorkers packed bars to watch the Knicks defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs, others gathered at Singers Bar to watch another hometown team begin its season: the New York Liberty.
The Liberty, New York’s only professional women’s basketball team, have become one of the most prominent franchises in the Women’s National Basketball Association as interest in women’s basketball continues to grow nationwide. While they tipped off their season against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn, fans donning Liberty jerseys gathered just a little over two miles away at Singers bar, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, to cheer them on.
Tucked away on Kosciuszko Street, Singers is one of 22 bars affiliated with the New York Liberty Bar Network, which launched last season as a collection of official watch destinations for Liberty away games, creating spaces where fans can gather and celebrate together.
Kaye Loggins, a Singers staff member and Friday night emcee, said the bar joined the network last year after organizers reached out to one of their colleagues. “We have an agreement to play the away games, but we play the home games as well,” Loggins said. She added that Sundays are typically the busiest for day games and Tuesdays for night games.
This season carries added significance as the WNBA marks its 30th anniversary. It was founded on April 24, 1996. “It’s really the same deal as last year, it just has more significance,” Loggins said.
Every watch party includes a raffle. On Friday evening, patrons won free drink tickets, a Singers tank top, and 1996 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters trading cards, a nod to the league’s inaugural year.
According to Loggins, the prizes grow throughout the season, with future giveaways expected to include Liberty slippers, season tickets, and a basketball signed by Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Raffle tickets cost $5, with some proceeds benefiting the Brooklyn Basketball Academy girls team.
For Akilah Hughes, a Brooklyn resident who recently moved back from Los Angeles, the season opener felt like a holiday. “I was coming back from a work trip and I knew it was the season opener,” Hughes said. “I was like, ugh, it’s going to be like Christmas.’”
Hughes’ partner, Ryan Broderick, said the pair initially tried attending a watch party at Athena Keke’s, another bar in the network, but found it too crowded. “Singers is our go-to bar, but we wanted to try a new spot,” Broderick said. “This is not our second choice, to be clear.”
For Brooklyn residents Asiyah Herrero and Sydnie Rathe, the decision to attend was spontaneous after their friend group bailed on plans. “We were like, ‘Oh, the Liberty game is on,’” Herrero said. “Then we were like, ‘What’s a gay place to watch that? Singers,” they said.
Herrero thinks watch parties create a more exciting atmosphere than watching games at home. “It’s always better to be around people,” they said. “If you’re at home yelling at your television, it’s not as fun.” They also said attending the watch parties allows fans to avoid paying for additional sports streaming packages.
Rathe agreed. “There’s more energy, better vibes, and you can bring your friends,” they said.
Still, Rathe admitted they don’t feel as invested this season after the departure of their favorite player, Natasha Cloud, who signed with the Chicago Sky after playing point guard for the Liberty. “I’m struggling with the loss of Natasha Cloud,” Rathe said. “It’s making it hard for me to care.”
Hughes, however, said her loyalty lies elsewhere. “I love the girls, but I am here for Ellie,” she said, referring to Ellie the Elephant, the Liberty’s mascot since 2021, known for her dance moves and courtside style.
Loggins described the atmosphere at Singers as largely dependent on the crowd and the timing of the game. “Sometimes the daytime games have more pep than the night ones,” she said.
Still, Loggins said the spirit at the bar rarely changes based on the outcome. “If there’s a big win, it feels more exciting,” she said. “If there’s a loss, it’s still fun and chill.”
One exception came during last season’s playoff loss, which Loggins said noticeably affected fans at the bar. “The playoff loss knocked the wind out of everyone a bit,” she said.
But the season opener quickly reset the mood. Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 106–75. At one point, Loggins asked the crowd why they weren’t all at Barclays instead, prompting immediate responses: “This is more fun!” and “Tickets aren’t cheap!”
The next watch party will be held at 3:30pm on May 24th at Singers Bar. Fans can find the official schedule here and can stay up to date on Singers’ events here.
