7 Women-Owned Restaurants and Bars to Support on International Women's Day

Happy International Women’s Day! 

International Women’s Day is all about celebrating women’s achievements, so today we want to shout out some of Birmingham’s best and brightest women in hospitality. We’ve put together a list of five incredible restaurants and bars in Birmingham run by women, so you can go and show your support!

Primitivo Bar & Eatery

Primitivo first opened 25 years ago in the heart of the Colmore business district, and has established itself as a firm favourite for many members of the community there. Owner Prit Sagoo took over after managing multiple trendy city-centre bars such as Carpe Diem and Quo Vardis, and has shaped Primitivo into the elegant eatery that it is today.

Primitivo serves fresh, homemade food, with a menu full of British favourites such as a hearty Haddock & Chips and traditional Faggots with creamed potatoes. They also do a special ‘Business Breakfast’ menu which can be booked in advance, perfect for those early morning corporate meetings.

Kuula Poké

Kuula Poké founder Felicity Whiston was inspired to open a poké restaurant after falling in love with the dish whilst working in Los Angeles. She travelled to Hawaii, the home of poké, to learn all about its native form; while there she learned of the fishermen god ‘Ku`ula’ and thus Kuula Poké was born!

Poké bowls are a delicious combination of sushi fish, meats or tofu over layers of soft rice, vegetables and tropical fruits, all topped off with a mixture of special toppings and unique sauces. Kuula lets you build your own bowl from scratch, so no need to worry if you have more specific tastes – the choice is up to you.

What’s more, Kuula Poké was named in Birmingham Mail’s ’30 restaurants you should try in Birmingham city centre’ within only eight weeks of opening. Pretty impressive!

Jojolounge Bar & Restaurant

Jojolounge is another business district favourite, inspired by the lounge bars of 1920’s New York City. They offer a casual and friendly dining experience, where guests can choose from the NYC inspired menu and a range of drinks and cocktails.

Co-founder Maddie Aulak is an experienced restaurateur, also co-owning Jojolapa, an authentic Nepalese restaurant. She teamed up with professional architect Kevin Singh to open Jojolounge, resulting in a truly beautifully designed space with well crafted service. The quirky interior design pays homage to the building’s former occupants, the Solicitors Law Stationery Society, where maps and other legal documents could be purchased. 

Couch Bar

Couch bar in Stirchley looks unassuming, but it’s not one to be overlooked. Co-founder Katie Rouse has over 12 years of experience in hospitality, running pubs to cocktail bars, so she’s somewhat of a pro. Along with her co-founders she’s helped launch Couch to success, landing it a spot at number 37 on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars 2022 list.

This cosy bar serves up exquisitely crafted cocktails in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Each cocktail is completely original and named after an iconic woman in pop culture, from Aretha Franklin to Annie Lennox. Perfect to raise a glass for International Women’s Day!

Ju Ju’s Café

Born from a love for good old-fashioned home cooked food, Ju Ju’s Café has been serving up fresh and delicious dishes on Birmingham’s canalside for over ten years. Founder and owner Julia Pallister’s ‘matriarchal and sassy service’ is an added bonus, with the restaurant taking its name from her nephew’s nickname for her. 

Julia said, “It seemed appropriate to name our independent family restaurant after such a personal nickname as everyone that walks through our front door should feel like they’re part of our family.”

Ju Ju’s is the perfect location for a spot of brunch or a classic Sunday roast, and is particularly convenient for a pre-show dinner as it’s located close to Symphony Hall, The REP and The Crescent Theatre.

Nuvo Bar - Oko

Nuvo is not only a cocktail and champagne bar dripping in glam, but its ground floor is also home to Oko, a Japanese restaurant offering traditional Pan Asian cuisine with a modern twist. The menu includes traditional options of sushi and sashimi, but if you're not a fan of the raw fish there's no need to worry: it also includes bestselling options such as Rock Shrimp, succulent Beef with black truffle, Black Cod and Fresh Lobster skewers.

Managing Director Stephania Christoforou is just as glam as the bar she runs. She's originally from Cyprus, but has definitely made a name for herself in Birmingham as a talented restaurateur. Over the last decade Nuvo has cemented itself as one of the most prestigious independently owned clubs in the midlands, with a guest list including big names such as Drake, Tory Lanes, Deontay Wilder, Rick Ross, Party Next Door and Little Mix!

The Cuban Embassy

Born out of a passion for Cuba, rum, live music and good food, The Cuban Embassy in Moseley is the place to be if you're a fan of... well, any of those things. They have an impressive collection of over 120 rums and offer a range of authentic Cuban cocktails, made exactly the way they are in Havana. The music is also a big plus, with live performances six nights a week so you can drink and dance to your heart's content.

Trevean Anderson co-owns The Cuban Embassy with Nick Rendall. The two of them are also the team behind The Rainbow Pub in Digbeth, another vibrant venue offering cocktails and live music - their specialty!

The Cuban Embassy is also home to Birmingham Rum Festival, a summertime celebration of rum highlighting the flavours and stories behind each brand and bottle, with a focus on premium quality rums. Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 festival taking place in July: book yours here to discover new rums, sip cocktails, enjoy live music and feast on delicious street food!