Coupette in Bethnal Green: French charm and sleek cocktails meet in East London

If you’re looking to go simple yet stylish, the trendy Coupette – featuring a sleek design and offering full-bodied tipples – is a true delight.  With French charm and a cocktail menu dominated by calvados, the joint has quickly ascended the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2018. The man behind the venture is Chris Moore, formerly of Beaufort Bar at the Savoy. At first glance, the drinks may not appear particularly sophisticated, but every sip is a luscious, tasty treat.

Within the bar, industrial style meets millennial hipster culture. The exposed bricks inside remind the visitors of the East London location, though the atmosphere remains chilled – with background music that is pleasing to all ears. It’s also worth checking out the live performances on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Coupette aims to champion the local craft community. For this reason, they set to create their menus by teaming up with artisans from the area. The first in the line for this project is lettering artist and sign painter Ged Palmer, whose shop The Luminor Sign Co is located nearby on Roman Road.

There are two musts from the cocktails list, and they are the award-winning drinks which most encapsulate the essence of the bar. The first of our recommendations, which pleasingly exceeds our expectations, is the Champagne Pina Colada. The soft coconut shavings that top the glass cover a velvety concoction which impeccably blends Agricole and Moet & Chandon. The sweetness is refreshingly balanced with the pineapple.

Simplicity can lead to wonderful discoveries, and Apples provides the proof. Another very popular serving, this clear cocktail has Coupette’s fundamental love, calvados, at its very core – along with pressed, filtered, carbonated apple. A juicy choice.

To try more experimental options, you need a change of spirit. Mezcal-based Punk offers a slightly spiced alternative, while Tapatio Blanco and Hoja Santa are mixed nicely with a squeeze of lime. Worlds away from the other clear drink previously landed on our table, Obsidian is the inebriating option of the night. A punchy Bacardi 8yr finds smooth companions in clay, passion fruit and cocoa.

In between our glasses, we are served some extremely appetising snacks. Considering that the portions sit at an average price of £6 and that the ingredients do not feature artificial or altered flavours, these dishes are a palatable deal. Our picks are the smoked salmon, on soft oatcakes; and an exquisite burrata, accompanied by sun-dried tomatoes. The whole of our experience is wrapped up nicely by a fast and friendly service.

If you don’t want to take too many risks, Coupette ticks all the essential boxes for an enjoyable break from the buzz of Central London. A must for brandy lovers, the bar is a smart, ruffle-free destination,  pleasing in both taste and look.

★★★★★

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Cristiana Ferrauti
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

To book a table at Coupette, 423 Bethnal Green Road London E2 0AN, call 020 7729 9562 or visit their website here.