Local Mixologist Turns Bar Stylist with Launch of Femme du Coupe

By Roger Kamholz in Food on Oct 27, 2011 7:00PM

Some months ago, Revae Schneider was driving with a friend who had just moved into a new condo. Schneider is among a relatively small group of women bartenders in Chicago who are highly committed to their craft and make drinks at some of the city's most lauded watering holes.

Knowing of her stints mixing drinks at the likes of Gilt Bar, its basement neighbor Curio, and Union Sushi + BBQ Bar, Schneider's friend asked if she'd lend her knowledge and talent to making the bar in his new home respectable - quality spirits, bitters, glassware, bartools, the works. The request gave Schneider an idea for a unique kind of business venture: providing expert assistance crafting clients' ideal home bars based on their personal tastes. The idea grew and, last night, came to fruition with the launch party of Femme du Coupe, Schneider's full-service bar-styling company.

Schneider has already helped several other friends stock and equip their home bars. Now she's offering her services to everyone. "I like to first sit down and have drinks with them," Schneider says of Femme du Coupe clients, "to get a feel for what they like to drink." By gauging your spirits preferences and how elaborate you want to get mixing drinks at home, Schneider not only curates your booze supply, she also leaves behind a custom booklet that includes product descriptions and cocktail recipes you're sure to enjoy - essentially an owner's manual for your new bar.

Before delving into craft cocktails, Schneider worked as a fashion stylist and personal shopper in Miami. She moved to Chicago a couple of years ago, seeking a change. Schneider took mixology classes with Bridget Albert, who has taught many of Chicago's finest bartenders. In a sense, Femme du Coupe merges her two careers paths into one.

Femme du Coupe's other services include tending bar at cocktail parties, teaching cocktail classes, and consulting with bars and restaurants on upping the ambitions of their cocktail programs. The first Femme du Coupe mixology class - centered around fall cocktails - will take place on November 1 at Fleur de Lis, a River North flower shop where Schneider also held last night's launch party. For more details and to reserve a seat, click here.