AWSN Power Player: Molly Huyck (Owner, SET The Bar)
- AWSN Editor
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
All Women's Sports Bar Network

Welcome to SET The Bar: Where Women’s Sports Take Center Stage
In the heart of Omaha’s historic Benson neighborhood, something revolutionary is happening. It’s not just a bar — it’s a movement, a mission, and a tribute. At SET The Bar, women’s sports aren’t the background noise — they are the main event. At the helm is owner Molly Huyck, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed personal loss into a powerful community space dedicated to equality, celebration, and representation.

After visiting one of the first women’s sports bars in the country, Molly knew Omaha — with its deep-rooted love for volleyball and team spirit — was ready for something bold. What started as a dream quickly became a calling after the loss of her sister Kelsey, an avid sports fan and fierce advocate for inclusivity. SET The Bar is now a living tribute to Kelsey’s values: a welcoming, intentional, and family-friendly gathering place where fans of all backgrounds can come together to cheer, connect, and belong.
Rounding out the leadership team are Caitlin Osborn (Community Engagement & Brand Manager and Co-curator/Co-founder), Executive Chef Kristin Pyle, and GM Liv Diedrichsen. SET is\redefining what a sports bar can be. Here, fans of women’s volleyball, soccer, basketball, and even flag football find not just a game, but a community — and one delicious menu. SET The Bar isn’t just showing games. It’s setting a new standard.

We spoke with this trailblazer to uncover what drives her, why she chose to open a women’s sports bar in Nebraska, and the keys to her success in brand-new terrain.
Find out why Molly joins the esteemed ranks as AWSN Power Player!
AWSN: Why a sports bar for women? Tell us how the dream began.
Molly: I heard about the first two women's sports bars - The Sports Bra in Portland and Rough & Tumble in Seattle. I then had the opportunity to visit Rough & Tumble, and the idea stuck with me that someone needed to bring this to life in Omaha. With its love for volleyball and sports in general, it would be the perfect place! Caitlin and I met through a mutual friend, and we decided we were going to figure it out together. My youngest sister, Kelsey, passed away, and after that life-changing event, I decided to retire from my corporate career and focus on other businesses, including SET The Bar.
We recently dedicated SET The Bar in memory of Kelsey, who was the biggest sports fan ever. Without Kelsey, SET The Bar would not have been a dream or become my passion. Without Kelsey and her passion for equality and inclusiveness for children and families,
SET would not be the intentional place it is today. Because of Kelsey and her “Love is Still the Most Powerful Force on the Planet” message, SET was created. Originally, I wanted to name SET Kelsey’s Sporting Place, but that seemed too flashy. Dedicating it in memory of her seemed more aligned with her introverted nature. It is a place where Kelsey’s love for sports, passion for equality, and her including, seeing, and celebrating everyone will continue to live on. Her love for getting family and friends together, to cheer on your favorite team, to celebrate, love, and dance will live on here at SET. We even have a SET song (attached) to keep Kelsey's memory alive.

From the beginning, Caitlin and I were intentional about having a mission-based focus. SET’s mission is to support and elevate women’s sports. Our values of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration will drive our mission, helping build a community around shared passions through food and drink. In the simplest sense, SET serves high-quality food and drinks and shows women’s sports, but that is just the foundation. It is a place where everyone is welcome, and fans of women’s sports will come together and connect in an intentional and meaningful way. We will uplift female athletes locally and from across the world, celebrate the momentum and innovation in women’s sports, and highlight issues of equity and equality both in-person and through social media platforms. SET will also connect with the local community, inviting them to participate in meaningful ways, positively impacting the community, Omaha, and the world of women’s sports.
SET serves elevated bar food made with local ingredients when possible. Everyone who comes to SET will find something delicious that fits their dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. The menu features specialty cocktails and mocktails highlighting women-owned distilleries, breweries, and wineries.
Sitting at your bar top is a dream team of your favorite women athletes, past or present. Who are they?
So many athletes who paved the way! Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Billie Jean King, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, Teresa Weatherspoon, Serena Williams, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Briana Scurry, Michelle Akers, Ali Krieger, Carli Lloyd, Julie Foudy, Mary Lou Retton, Simone Biles, Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Justine Wong-Orantes, and Jordan Larson

How do you decide which games and events to showcase? Are there any specific criteria or strategies you use?
It takes a lot of time! We are very thoughtful about what sports to showcase. We want to be inclusive of featuring as many women's sports and teams as we can, but we also want to be cognizant and responsive to what our community is into. They love volleyball, softball, basketball, and soccer, and has their favorite teams (beyond Nebraska and Creighton) like the Kansas City Current, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, and Chicago Stars). We highlight local teams like the Nebraska Pride football, Omaha Queens indoor soccer, Omaha Supernovas volleyball, LOVB Omaha volleyball, Nebraska Huskers, Creighton Bluejays, University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks, and Athletes Unlimited pro sports. We also get a lot of requests to show different things rugby, netball, handball, futsal, and pinball. The College of Saint Mary in Omaha just announced that they will debut a women’s flag football team this fall and we’re looking forward to supporting that! Flag football is growing tremendously.
With only 15% of women's sports on mainstream media, it takes a lot of time to research what games are on what channel or streaming service and more than double the budget of a typical sports bar to piece together all of the necessary subscriptions.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while establishing this business? How did you overcome them?
Financing was number one, and we’ve heard the same from other women’s sports bar owners -- luckily, we have supporters who believe in our mission and have invested in SET The Bar. Women business owners don't get the same investments from venture capitalists or banks as men. I've started another business to address this problem.
The buildout was also very complex and time-consuming, as was the permitting process. We did our best to stay focused and work with our partners and vendors through the various challenges. We built solid relationships with our local city representatives and officials and leaned on them when needed.
After being open for just over 3 months, understanding what brings our guests in is a huge focus as well. Luckily, our community has been so welcoming and affirming, and has been open to sharing ideas and feedback with us!
How do you foster a sense of community among your patrons? Are there any particular events or traditions that have become staples of your bar?
Beyond the basics of offering a warm welcome and inviting atmosphere, we like to be intentional about checking in with guests and asking them what game they’ve come to watch, or what their favorite menu item is so far. Everything done at SET is intentional.
The design, the menu, the vibe, the culture. We are also intentional with the community. We chose the location so we can be a part of a neighborhood with other established and community-focused businesses. Located in the heart of Omaha’s historic Benson neighborhood, SET The Bar brings new vibrancy to the local business district. The venue draws large crowds for major sporting events and community gatherings, which in turn supports other nearby businesses. By creating a new cultural space centered around women’s sports, we contribute not only to Benson’s economy but also to Omaha’s broader cultural identity and civic pride.
Based on our mission and values, we also spotlight various non-profits that are aligned with our mission. This drives a sense of purpose and community for our guests.
Benson First Friday, a neighborhood nonprofit and a collaborative event between local arts and businesses, held on the first Friday of every month, has been our busiest day of each month. With a street market and outdoor activities, there is always a crowd visiting
the neighborhood galleries and businesses.
We are still establishing a regular roster of events and traditions, but so far, people are just grateful to have a space where they can watch a game in an environment that’s not a typical sports bar with like-minded fans. We host things like music bingo, trivia,
book club, and movie nights as well, which have been really fun so far.
Tell us about your local community. What are the hometown teams? Local heroes?
Omaha loves sports! Particularly volleyball. The Nebraska Husker volleyball team set the world record for attendance at a volleyball game in 2023 with 92,003 fans in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE. It’s a volleyball state for sure! There are so many hometown teams! Nebraska Husker volleyball, Creighton Bluejays volleyball, Omaha Supernovas volleyball, LOVB Omaha volleyball, Creighton Basketball, Nebraska Pride football, Omaha GOATS Rugby, Omaha Queens indoor soccer, Husker softball... the list goes on and on. The volleyball players are our local heroes, particularly names like Olympians Jordan Larson and Justine Wong-Orantes, and Husker alums Lexi Rodriguez and Lindsay Krause.
Which women’s sports aren’t getting the love that you and your clientele would like to see?
I would love for women’s pro tackle football and rugby to get more support!
Do you see growth in media coverage and viewership of women’s sports affecting your business? In what ways?
Definitely. With media coverage expanding, it will help make women's sports accessible to all and hopefully more affordable for us because more women's sports on mainstream media means fewer subscriptions we have to pay for.
Do you attribute your success to any strategy or decision in particular?
Having our mission and values as a foundation for decision-making has helped tremendously. Continuing to be an intentional place where everyone is welcome helps with the great vibe we wanted to create.

What is the most memorable event or reaction from a customer that has stuck with you?
When customers are beyond grateful that we created this space. That warms our hearts. Leah Bryant, a SET regular, recently nominated us for a local Impact 250 award. She is picking up what we're being intentional about and said it best, "From the very beginning, SET the Bar was designed to be a space where everyone feels welcome, especially those often left out of mainstream sports culture. It features inclusive design elements such as more restrooms for women, lower bar counters to improve accessibility, and a layout that invites connection and comfort. The atmosphere is warm, family-friendly, and proudly LGBTQ+ affirming, making it a true community hub in every sense. SET the Bar is more than a local hotspot—it’s part of a growing national movement to elevate women’s sports. Its mission and unique identity have earned media attention, and it’s quickly becoming a destination for sports fans across the region. By broadcasting women’s games front and center, SET the Bar is creating meaningful visibility for women athletes and inspiring new generations of fans. It’s a venue that proves representation matters—and it’s changing the conversation around who belongs in sports spaces. By nominating SET the Bar for the Impact 250 Award, I am recognizing a bold, community-forward business that’s creating space where it didn’t exist — and proving that when you center the right people, you build something truly extraordinary."
If you could host any women’s sports team or athlete at your bar, who would it be and why?
Current and past Husker volleyball athletes - they are royalty in Nebraska and would bring a huge crowd.
What advice would you share with women wanting to make it in the business of women’s sports?
Women belong in the world of sports period, for both women's and men's sports. Take your spot at the table. The sports world needs women who bring diversity of thought. The growth projections for women's sports in particular are not slowing down any time soon and now is the perfect time to take your passion to the next level.

Based on our mission and Kelsey's dedication, we also have a manifesto that we use for training:
We support women, women’s sports, and their athletes in positive, loving ways.
We welcome everyone here, and families are centered in all their different shapes and configurations.
We create a space where competition is not violent or harmful. We cheer from the heart, speak kindly and respectfully of all.
We know teams exist in sports, but we will not “other” people for the choices they make or the lives they live.
We support all people’s right to live with dignity and freedom to make their own choices. Especially historically oppressed and excluded groups – queer, BIPOC, disabled, immigrants.
We strive for authentic connection through peaceful interactions.
We will make room for children. This will be their first introduction to a space dedicated to women’s sports, and we will support their evolution to being the next generation of athletes and women’s sports fans. “If you can see her, you can be her.”
We will have fun, play, dance, celebrate, and love.
Connect with Molly, Caitlin, and SET the Bar here:
Website: https://set-thebar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/setthebaromaha/