Sports Bar Will Expand to Wichita in February 2027

A restaurant owner is opening a second location in Wichita as a hedge against rising commercial lease costs elsewhere.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Sports Bar Will Expand to Wichita in February 2027

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Niki Manbeck plans to open a new Bullpen sports bar in the former Heroes Bar and Grill space on February 1, 2027. The operator is establishing this second location to diversify her holdings amid ongoing lease disputes at her current site.

Why it matters

The expansion reflects a strategic effort to secure operational stability in a new market as local rent hikes threaten the viability of existing sites. Diversifying locations allows operators to insulate their businesses from localized regulatory or landlord-driven cost pressures.

The operator faces a 55% proposed rent increase for her current 2,000-square-foot Baldwin City location. This follows a previous $20,000 renovation investment at that site.

The players

Niki Manbeck

A hospitality operator who manages sports bar concepts and previously owned The Den Bar and Grill.

Brian Brundage

An investor who participated in the purchase of the former Heroes Bar and Grill building at auction.

Mike Pelfrey

An investor who acquired the Heroes Bar and Grill property alongside Brian Brundage.

The details

The Wichita project involves converting the former Heroes Bar and Grill space into a specialized sports venue. Renovations include removing existing club-style infrastructure, such as dance floors and lighting, in favor of booth-based television setups and a custom bar top constructed from bottle caps. The site has remained vacant since April 2022.

1930: Victory Theater began operations in downtown Wichita.
1977: The Victory Theater building was torn down.
1991: Heroes Sports Bar and Grill opened.
April 2022: The Heroes commercial space became vacant.
February 1, 2027: Planned opening date for the new Wichita Bullpen.

Market Landscape

This move follows the 2025 fire that destroyed the owner's previous establishment, The Den Bar and Grill. It reflects a shift toward multi-site operations as a risk-mitigation strategy.

Operators facing significant rent hikes should evaluate the potential for expansion into lower-cost or more favorable markets to mitigate lease risks. Maintaining a physical backup location remains a key defensive strategy during protracted contract negotiations.

The takeaway

Operational diversification acts as a safeguard against regional lease volatility and property-specific risks. Owners should audit current lease terms and monitor potential rent spikes to determine if a secondary, more stable location is necessary for business continuity.