This weekend is International Women’s Day (March 8), and whilst it’s – of course – always important to champion female-led businesses; this week it feels particularly apt to wax lyrical about some of our favourites in London. Featuring places that will leave you feeling stuffed, tipsy, uplifted, inspired, or all of the above; here’s some of the most wonderful women-led businesses in London.
1. Luminary Bakery
Dedicated to supporting women facing social and economic disadvantages and serving up truly mouthwatering cakes and pastries; Luminary Bakery is a long-standing Secret London firm favourite. Found in both Camden and Stoke Newington; Luminary are on a mission to help women across the capital city thrive. Alice Williams, founder of Luminary Bakery, says: “Luminary is more than a bakery; it is a community and a sign of hope for so many”.
📍 You can find Luminary Bakery at 47 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ and 71-73 Allen Road, Stoke Newington, N16 8RY.
2. BookBar
Head over to Finsbury Park and make a beeline down the Blackstock Road. Amidst the plethora of Arsenal pubs, you’ll also stumble upon BookBar – a lovely hybrid hangout that melds two rather enjoyable worlds together. If you’re a fan of reading and you like a good glass of wine; this is the perfect spot for you. On a normal day, you’ll find book lovers joining in conversation about their latest read, but you’ll also be treated to regular events with authors and even live music nights.
📍 You’ll find BookBar at 166 Blackstock Road, N5 1HA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Arsenal and Finsbury Park.
3. Where The Pancakes Are
Where The Pancakes Are have been going strong for a decade, having been founded by Patricia Trijbits in 2015 in the form of a pop-up on the Regents Canal. Now, they have three London locations (Battersea, London Bridge, and Fitzrovia) for you to gorge on stacks of flippin’ fantastic pancakes.
📍 You’ll find Where The Pancakes Are in Fitzrovia, London Bridge, and Battersea Power Station.
🚇 Nearest stations are Goodge Street, Borough, and Battersea Power Station.
4. Fair Shot Café
Fair Shot Café is the social enterprise Covent Garden café that’s doing some blooming great things. Everything about this place should make you want to stop by, but nothing more so than their mission. Fair Shot helps people with learning disabilities train in the hospitality sector, with the café taking on 12 trainee workers at a time. By fighting employment bias; those who might not otherwise have been given a chance are now finding work after their time at Fair Shot. Bianca Tavella founded Fair Shot in 2019, and their site in Covent Garden truly embodies their mission to fight the bias on a daily basis.
📍 You’ll find Fair Shot Café at 3 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
5. Phlox Books
Phlox Books is yet another female-founded treasure trove of literature in London. It’s been serving titles as hot as its coffee to east Londoners since 2017, and is named after the store that founder Aimée’s parents owned in Belfast in the 80s. That original shop may no longer exists, but London’s answer to Phlox Books is a dream for anyone with a passion for words, coffee, and wine. Sounds right up my street, to be honest.
📍 You’ll find Phlox Books at 159 Francis Rd, London E10 6NT.
🚇 Nearest station is Leyton.
6. Art On A Postcard
Credit: @artonapostcard via Instagram
Founded in 2014 by Gemma Peppé, Art On A Postcard was only intended to be a one off secret postcard auction. But look at them now, over a decade later, and they’re working with countless incredible artists and running auctions to support numerous charities and give back through art. They host an annual International Women’s Day auction to gather funds for Hepatitis C Trust, which is currently taking place.
📍 You’ll find Art On A Postcard at 15-17 Ingate Place, SW8 3NS.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
7. Lady Of The Grapes
Credit: @lady_of_the_grapes via Instagram
The mission of this Covent Garden wine bar is to ensure that “each and every customer has a delightful epicurean experience while supporting female winemakers”. Lady Of The Grapes was set up by Caroline Bryon, and has always championed organic, biodynamic, natural wines made by women. And we will most definitely drink to that.
📍 You’ll find Lady Of The Grapes at 16 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
8. Move Your Frame
Credit: @moveyourframe via Instagram
Lifting moods and butts since 2009; Move Your Frame was created by founders, Pip and Joan, in the hope of making exercise fun again. And boy did they succeed. Now with four studios scattered across the city, Frame offers a huge variety of classes to make Londoners feel the happiest and strongest versions of themselves.
📍 You’ll find Move Your Frame in Shoreditch, Angel, King’s Cross, and Hammersmith.
9. Lick Events
Lick is the first women-only club in the UK, and has grown significantly since it was founded in 2016 by Teddy Edwards. After starting out in Soho; Lick now runs nights all across the country and offers a fun and safe space for all women to have a good old boogie.
Find out more about Lick and discover their upcoming events here.
10. Firebird
Credit: @firebird.london via Instagram
This female-owned restaurant and wine bar in Soho places you by an open fire and puts glasses of natural wine in front of you. Proving that the perfect evening does, in fact, exist. Their bottles may change frequently, but you’ll always be in for a delicious time at Firebird.
📍 You’ll find Firebird at 29 Poland Street, W1F 8QR.
🚇 Nearest stations is Oxford Circus.