By Jack Crisfield
LONDON, UK— A public cupping event in East London was shut down on Friday evening after a local resident misunderstood that a public cupping is a coffee tasting event—not a niche sex party.
The roastery in question has hosted monthly public cupping events for the last six months, providing a striking display of their newest arrivals for their neighbours and the coffee industry alike. However, the latest event was interrupted after a concerned local resident called the police with accusations of indecency.
“Last time we had a few of our neighbours come along with their families and it was so lovely, so this time we thought we’d advertise it to the local community as well,” said Frank Bell, the owner. But it seems this was where they made a crucial mistake—they failed to define cupping, and the implications did the talking.
“The police arrived and asked where the ‘party’ was going on, which confused me. I explained it was a cupping event, and the two officers nodded at each other as if I was speaking in some sort of code,” commented an anonymous guest.
The police began shutting down the event and sending people home, which caused “quite a stir,” but most of the guests remained. After the police found the owner and the misunderstanding had been clarified, the cupping was nevertheless cancelled for propriety’s sake. Police informed Knockbox reporters that future cuppings may be allowed to take place, “provided they clarify the meaning.”
An anonymous source has informed the Knockbox that the local resident who tipped off the police will be at the next cupping now they know what a cupping entails, claiming they “absolutely love” coffee.
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Jack Crisfield is a barista and postgraduate student based in London, UK.
