Alexandra Murray and Claudia Capriles

Alexandra “AL” Murray is the co-owner of Athena Keke’s, a Brooklyn women’s sports bar which, adorably, is named after the founders’ tabby cat. The space was built alongside her partner, Claudia “Clau” Capriles, out of love, community, and a shared vision. The two met in 2015 while working at a Lower East Side restaurant and were, as Murray jokes, “properly U-Hauled by 2016.” On their nights off, they spent their dates searching for the perfect place to watch a game. But in NYC, finding a bar that would show women’s sports with sound, over a good meal and a good martini, proved nearly impossible. At that moment, they knew there was a gap in the market that needed to be filled. Capriles had always been an athlete, but Murray had drifted away from sports after struggling to see a place for herself in that world. Together, they imagined something richer: a welcoming space where women’s sports are centered, celebrated, and served with style. What began as a shared frustration became a business plan, and eventually, a beloved community hub. Before opening their doors in 2025, the couple organized watch parties and formed relationships with groups like Women’s Sports Rally and Working Families Party Basketball House, building the community that now anchors Athena Keke’s. Through setbacks and the roller coaster of NYC small business ownership, they stay grounded in joy, resilience, and good company. Successfully, Murray and Capriles are building a space where queer sports fans see themselves reflected on the screens, behind the bar, and in every victory celebrated together. –AK