Bullpen Sports Bar Will Open in Wichita by February

Niki Manbeck is expanding her sports bar brand into the former Heroes building in Old Town Wichita by early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bullpen Sports Bar Will Open in Wichita by February

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Sports bar owner Niki Manbeck is launching a new location in Wichita's Old Town, targeting an opening date of February 1, 2027. The project will transform the long-vacant Heroes Bar and Grill space into a new venue for local sports fans.

Why it matters

The expansion serves as a strategic backup for Manbeck, who faces a potential closure of her existing Baldwin City location following a proposed 55% rent increase. By establishing a presence in Wichita, the owner aims to protect her business operations from ongoing lease disputes.

The Baldwin City Bullpen currently operates in a 2,000-square-foot facility, a space that previously served as a police station. The owner spent $20,000 renovating that location before the current rent dispute began.

The players

Niki Manbeck

She is a business owner who previously operated The Den Bar and Grill in Burlingame before it was destroyed by fire in March 2025.

Brian Brundage

He is one of the co-buyers who purchased the former Heroes building at auction.

Mike Pelfrey

He is a co-buyer who acquired the Heroes building in Wichita at a public auction.

The details

Manbeck is renovating the Old Town Wichita property by removing the existing dance floor and club lighting to accommodate individual television sets at booths. The interior will also feature a custom bar top constructed from bottle caps.

The Victory Theater began operations in downtown Wichita in 1930.
The theater building was demolished in 1977.
Heroes Sports Bar and Grill opened its doors in 1991.
The Heroes space has been vacant since April 2022.
The new Wichita Bullpen is scheduled to open on February 1, 2027.

Market Landscape

This move highlights the aggressive expansion of independent bar owners seeking to hedge against unpredictable commercial real estate markets. By moving into the vacated Heroes space, Manbeck is leveraging high-visibility retail real estate to secure her business against local disputes in smaller municipalities.

Residents in the Old Town area can expect the revival of a long-vacant commercial space that has sat empty since April 2022. The new establishment will introduce a sports-focused venue, providing new social options for patrons in the downtown district.

The takeaway

Small business owners often pursue multi-location strategies to mitigate risks associated with sudden rent hikes or property loss. Manbeck's transition into Wichita demonstrates how entrepreneurs can repurpose long-vacant sites to stabilize their operations.