A familiar Arlington neighborhood eatery is taking on a new identity, putting women’s sports front and center.
Sarah White, a longtime restaurateur behind concepts like Cowboy Café, is taking over Westover Taco on Washington Boulevard. With that transition comes a new vision: transforming the casual taqueria into Northern Virginia’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports.
“We always showed D.C. Divas games … and I’m a huge fan,” White says. “I thought, how cool would it be if we could expand that and show more women’s games here, and even make that a priority when every other bar in town is showing the men’s games?”
White held a ribbon-cutting for the new concept on Thursday, April 16, with athletes from the DC Divas football team, the Washington Spirit, and more.
Spotlighting Local and Professional Sports
White first announced her plans to take over and reimagine Westover last month. The restaurant, which opened in late 2023, will keep much of what regulars embrace, including its name, kitchen staff and overall laid-back feel. But the shift will be most visible on its screens. Where men’s games have typically dominated, White plans to spotlight women’s teams at every level, from local programs to professional leagues.
“We’ve got the Mystics, we’ve got the Spirit, we’ve got a baseball team coming,” she says. “Why isn’t there a place to go and watch all of this, where you know other fans are going to be too?”
White says the idea wasn’t the result of a long strategic plan, but came about more organically.
“It really wasn’t a lot of thought,” she says. “It was just a ‘hey, let’s make that happen.’ I would love to go in and watch women’s sports with other women’s sports fans.”
That sense of inclusion is central to the concept.
“We have seven TVs, and we might put in more,” she says. “You want to watch one thing and somebody else wants to watch another? Come on by. We’ll put them both on.”
Supporting Female Athletes
The transformation will also include changes to the interior. White plans to replace existing decor with elements that feel more connected to the local community and the new mission. Her vision includes working with local artists and incorporating memorabilia from women’s teams.
The rebrand is also a personal milestone. After owning the restaurant with five partners, White is in the process of buying them out, a move that allows her to shape the concept independently. The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
“I’ve always dreamed of having my own restaurant,” she says. “I’ve been in restaurants since I was 18, always working for other people. Now I finally get to make those choices myself.”
That ownership also allows her to deepen the restaurant’s role in the community, particularly when it comes to supporting girls’ and women’s athletics.
“Girls don’t ask,” she says. “They’re used to taking what they’re given. I want to be the place that says, ‘Hey, we’re here for you, too.’ I want to be the first one to write a check to help you get your uniforms.”
White has already seen firsthand that the audience is there. When women’s games are shown, she says, the restaurant fills up.
“There are so many more fans than you would think,” she says. “Women and men — people really do come out to watch.”
She believes the growth of women’s sports is only accelerating, pointing to increased sponsorship and visibility.
“The Divas used to pay their own way to compete,” she says. “Last year was the first time they didn’t have to. That’s a big change, and it’s only going to keep growing.”
A Place of Belonging
Food, of course, remains central to the equation. The menu will stay rooted in what regulars love, with some expansion to encourage more full-meal dining.
“You’ll still be able to come in and grab a taco,” she says. “But we want to give people a reason to sit down, stay, and have a full experience.”
Ultimately, White isn’t just imagining a place to eat; she’s creating a place to belong. And for women’s sports fans, that kind of space has been a long time coming.
Feature image courtesy Sarah White
