Katie Rouse is the Owner and Bartender at Couch in Birmingham, a neighbourhood cocktail bar in the creative suburb of Stirchley. After nearly 7 years of operating, Couch is recognised among the best cocktail bars in the country with Top 50 Bars UK, alongside Best Menu of the Year at the Class Bar Awards 2026. Katie won Best Bartender of the Year in 2025 and is the founder of ‘Couch Surf’, the global community project. Katie is a keen mentor for the industry, a creator of innovative drinks and drives her career through community-led projects.