When you walk into The Coupe, the female-owned sparkling wine bar in the South Main Village district of Fort Worth, you may feel as though you’ve entered a different world. Its Boho-chic vibe is apparent everywhere from the Palm Royale-like decor to the inviting sense that there is no rush; you can take your time and simply… relax.
This is exactly how owners Lauren Badgett & Scott Kimble want you to feel when entering The Coupe. Having just celebrated its first anniversary, this charming slice of paradise has one of, if not the, best sparkling wine menu in Fort Worth. A passion project turned into a thriving neighborhood gathering spot, there’s a reason the charming wine bar attracts patrons from all walks of life: young families, groups of friends, couples, and even businesses looking for a unique venue.
Lauren and Scott are sparkling wine enthusiasts. “We enjoy bubbles with everything: french fries, pizza, potato chips, and popcorn. We felt that the majority of Fort Worth restaurants only serve a small selection of champagnes or sparkling wines you can only get a few by the glass, or you have to buy the whole bottle. So we thought, why not open a bubble lounge where you can enjoy multiple champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass and not have to buy a whole bottle? We saw a gap, and wanted to fill it,” says Lauren.
As bubbly aficionados, an important aspect of owning a sparkling wine bar for Lauren and Scott was highlighting unique wines customers won’t see at grocery or liquor stores. The list is impressive: it offers sparkling wines from boutique wineries, family, women, and minority-owned labels, and from regions you might not even know make sparkling wines. You’ll see everything from a few fan favorites, a Greek sparkling rosé to a lovely vegan, Argentinian sparkling Malbec, among other labels. “There are some fantastic small sparkling wines you can enjoy without having to break the bank; we’re introducing that to Fort Worth,” says Lauren.
There is no sommelier or mixologist at The Coupe. The wines and cocktails are hand-picked and created by the couple and their staff. “It is really just us. We've educated ourselves and really trained the staff to be competent in what we are offering. Our thought process was to eliminate any intimidation when ordering champagne or sparkling wine, and we wanted to take that pressure off our customers. No one should feel judged about ordering any wine when all everyone wants is to relax and have a good time,” says Lauren.
They also offer red, rosé, and white wines at The Coupe, as well as cocktails made with local Blackland Distillery vodka and gin, Empress Gins, mocktails, and local beers from breweries such as Rahr & Sons Brewing Company and Panther Island Brewing.
If you want something to nibble on while you enjoy your glass or flight of sparkling wine, The Coupe has plenty of snacks, all created to complement the drink menu. You can order charcuterie boards, popcorn, potato chips, roasted nuts, and a hummus platter. “I would say we’re foodies, but we knew from the beginning we did not want a full kitchen. We are keen on supporting other small local businesses; The Art of Grazing does our charcuterie boards. We also just introduced several flatbreads—the mushroom flatbread pairs quite well with champagne.” If you want more than small plates, you can bring in food or order food to be delivered. “We like to call it a BYOF,” says Scott.
The Coupe has different types of events and special nights, like the last Wednesday of every month, is Comedy at The Coupe—a free show where tips are encouraged for the performers. They will often do complimentary tastings of new wines brought in, small group tastings, and paid tastings, and anyone can rent the venue for private parties. They’ve done baby showers, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, couples showers, after-wedding parties, birthday parties, and business events. And, The Coupe is a family-friendly and pet-friendly spot. As parents themselves, Lauren and Scott understand parents just need to relax with a glass in hand. Everybody is welcome at this thriving gathering place in South Main Village.
“We knew when we signed the lease in 2021 that we wanted to be a part of this community. Everybody's been so encouraging, helpful, and supportive; I feel like we're all supporting one another; it's been quite humbling. I do feel like it's the girl cave Fort Worth needed,” says Lauren.
What’s next for The Coupe? They’ve got a quarterly bubbles club subscription in the works and will continue to plan special events, and of course, offer some of the best sparkling wine in Fort Worth.