Best Women-Owned Rooftop Bars in London for Drinks

Where to Find Rooftop Drinks in London Run by Women

London has over 300 rooftop bars, but fewer than 1 in 5 are owned by women. That’s changing. In the last two years, a wave of female entrepreneurs has opened rooftop spots that don’t just serve cocktails-they serve community, creativity, and quiet corners away from the noise. You don’t need to search far. These aren’t hidden gems. They’re loud in flavor, quiet in pretension, and run by women who’ve built spaces where you actually want to stay awhile.

Forget the usual suspects. This isn’t a list of the tallest rooftops or the most Instagrammed backdrops. It’s a list of places where the owner is behind the bar, in the kitchen, or on the floor making sure your drink isn’t just good-it’s thoughtful.

1. The Velvet Sky - Camden

Open since 2023, The Velvet Sky sits above a converted 19th-century warehouse in Camden. Owner Maya Okoye, a former mixologist from Lagos, designed this space to feel like a rooftop garden in Lagos, but with London rain and British gin. The drinks are seasonal, and every cocktail has a story. Try the Yoruba Mule-ginger beer, hibiscus syrup, and a splash of palm wine. It’s not on the menu unless you ask. Maya keeps a handwritten list of her favorite combinations behind the bar, and she’ll hand you one if you’re curious.

The seating? Low sofas, hanging lanterns, and a single wooden bench that runs the length of the terrace. No high tables. No loud music. Just people talking, laughing, and sipping slowly. It’s the kind of place where you forget you’re on a rooftop until you look down and see the rooftops of Camden stretching out below you.

2. Luna & Co. - Shoreditch

Luna & Co. opened in early 2024, and it’s already one of the most talked-about spots in East London. Founded by Luna Patel, a former architect who left her firm after realizing she’d rather build spaces than blueprints, this rooftop feels like a secret garden you weren’t supposed to find. The bar is shaped like a crescent moon, made from reclaimed oak. The lighting? String bulbs and solar-powered lanterns that turn on automatically at dusk.

Patel’s cocktail list is inspired by her Gujarati roots. The Chai Old Fashioned-bourbon, spiced chai syrup, orange peel, and a dash of black salt-is served in a hand-thrown ceramic glass. Each one is made by a local potter from Bermondsey. You can’t buy it elsewhere. The bar also serves small plates: spiced chickpea fritters, turmeric-dusted almonds, and vegan samosa bites. No one expects you to order food. But you will.

3. The Hive Rooftop - Peckham

On the 8th floor of a converted post office in Peckham, The Hive is run by three women: Jada Thompson, Priya Mehta, and Simone Bell. They met while working at a corporate events company and quit together in 2022 to start something real. The Hive doesn’t have a traditional menu. Instead, they offer a flavor journey-three drinks, chosen by the bartender based on your mood. Tell them you’re tired. Tell them you’re celebrating. Tell them nothing at all. They’ll read you.

The drinks change daily. One week it’s lavender and smoked honey. Another, it’s fermented apple and cardamom. The space is simple: white walls, rattan chairs, and a central firepit that’s lit every evening. There’s no DJ. No cover charge. Just a quiet hum of conversation and the occasional clink of ice.

They also host monthly Her Table nights-small gatherings where women share stories over drinks. No speakers. No panels. Just a circle of chairs and a pitcher of something sweet.

4. Sky & Sage - Notting Hill

Notting Hill doesn’t need another cocktail bar. But Sky & Sage? It’s different. Opened by Zoe Richards in 2023, this rooftop is built around the idea of slow drinking. No happy hours. No last-call rush. You can sit here from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. and no one will hurry you. The drinks are crafted to be sipped, not slammed.

Zoe trained in herbalism before becoming a bartender. Her signature drink, the Sage Sour, uses fresh sage from the rooftop garden, lemon verbena, and a house-made agave syrup. The gin is distilled in Kent. The ice is made from filtered London tap water. Even the straws are compostable and infused with rosemary.

The view? A quiet slice of Notting Hill rooftops, with St. Mary’s Church spire in the distance. There are no neon signs. No flashing lights. Just a single brass clock above the bar, ticking slowly. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to turn off your phone.

5. The Paper Moon - Canary Wharf

Most rooftop bars in Canary Wharf cater to finance types in suits. The Paper Moon doesn’t. Founded by Aisha Khan, a former journalist who left the newsroom after covering too many corporate takeovers, this spot is a quiet rebellion. It’s open from 4 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. No dress code. No minimum spend.

Khan’s cocktails are named after women who changed history-The Ada (a gin fizz with elderflower and blackberry), The Mary (a mezcal sour with smoked paprika), The Grace (a rum-based drink with tamarind and lime). Each comes with a small card explaining who the drink honors. You don’t have to read it. But you might want to.

The space is small, with only 24 seats. Half are tucked under umbrellas. The other half face the river. There’s no TV. No music unless someone requests a song. The playlist is curated by customers. You can submit one via a paper slip box by the door.

Why These Places Matter

Women-owned bars in London aren’t just about gender. They’re about intention. The owners here didn’t open spaces to make money. They opened them because they were tired of places that felt like transactions, not experiences. These bars don’t just serve drinks-they serve connection.

At The Velvet Sky, you might end up talking to a woman who moved here from Nigeria and now runs a small herbal tea brand. At Luna & Co., you might meet a ceramicist who makes all the glasses. At The Hive, you might join a conversation that lasts three hours and ends with someone sharing their story for the first time.

These aren’t just bars. They’re gathering places built by women who refused to wait for someone else to make the space they wanted.

What to Expect When You Go

• Reservations aren’t always required, but they’re recommended-especially on weekends.
• Most of these spots close by midnight. No all-nighters here.
• Tips aren’t expected, but if you want to leave one, cash is best. Many owners don’t use digital payment systems.
• There’s usually no cover charge. But some nights have limited capacity. Show up early if you want a good spot.
• Don’t ask for the “best cocktail.” Ask what’s new. Or what the owner is proud of.

More Than Just Drinks

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar in London that feels alive-not just trendy-these five spots are where you’ll find it. They’re not the biggest. They’re not the loudest. But they’re the ones where you’ll remember your drink, your conversation, and the person who made it all possible.

Next time you’re up on a rooftop, look around. Who’s serving your drink? Who’s cleaning your table? Who’s smiling when you say thank you? Sometimes, the best view isn’t the one outside. It’s the one behind the bar.

Where to Go Next

If you loved these, keep exploring. Look for women-led pop-ups in Shoreditch during the summer. Check out Her Bar London, a monthly event series that rotates between different female-run venues. And if you’re ever unsure where to go, ask the bartender at any of these spots-they’ll point you to another woman-owned place you haven’t heard of yet.