Summer may be over, but you don’t need to bid goodbye to your dreams of sipping sparkling wine in a fabulous spot. The Arches’ 640 East brings Supper Clubs, Sparkling Wines and Sophistication to Bethnal Green…
Located in London’s Bethnal Green, 640 East is among three spaces that make up The Arches. As the name suggests, the need-to-know venue is situated under a railway arch. Reviving the long-standing social tradition of supper clubs, 640 East has collaborated with the new London wine traders The Modern Merchant, to host a riveting night filled with envy-inducing beverages, tasty food and lively conversation.
Eager to check out the venue for ourselves, we attended the Sparkling Spanish Supper Club. Upon arrival, we were greeted by brick-exposed walls and striking neon lights. A quick tour of our surroundings revealed the location’s not-so-secret garden. With fuchsia flowers climbing the walls and a makeshift ceiling of fairy lights, it was easy to forget we were just a stone’s throw away from Bethnal Green Underground Station. It wasn’t long before we were ushered back inside to a second bar room, complete with an open kitchen and an ornately decorated dining table.
As advertised, the venue’s impressive selection of sparkling wines took pride of place. Interestingly, 640 East has a long-standing relationship with bubbles, as the location once played home to a car wash business. Eager to bring an international flavour to the London setting, the bar’s bubbles menu features offerings from wine havens including Italy, France and – of course – Spain. Those looking to explore the sparkling wine trends beyond Europe can choose from the US and Canada tipples. Upon recommendation from a member of the bar staff, we select the Mongarda Col Fondo — an Italian smooth, white wine with a dry finish. Later on, with a desire to ‘think pink’, we switched to the Moritz Prado — hailing from France, the Brut Rosé had just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy our cravings.
While the wine was flowing among the eclectic group of people, we were also treated to some delectable Spanish cuisine. I favoured the Albondigas En Salsa — beef and pork meatballs in a rich tomato and vegetable sauce. However, it was the Ensalada Verde — a salad consisting of lush green leaves, cucumber, olives and green beans with a house specialty dressing — which proved to be the biggest hit up and down the table. Although feeling full, we didn’t hesitate in helping ourselves when dessert arrived. After all, who can resist churros served with cinnamon sugar and hot chocolate sauce?
If you’re a fan of all things bubbly, or perhaps you’re looking to broaden your tasting horizons when it comes international cuisine, 640 East’s specially-curated supper clubs will not disappoint.
The Supper Club, in conjunction with The Modest Merchant, is set to run on the last Thursday of every month.
640 East, The Arches
Railway Arches
157-161 Malcolm Place
Bethnal Green
London
E2 0EU
