A continuous bipolar mode electrocoagulation (CBME) unit was used in this study for polishing a biologically treated distillery wastewater at laboratory scale. This study focuses on optimizing the process for removal of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) from an anaerobically-treated distillery wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the process. The study was conducted by varying three operating parameters: Initial pH (2-10), reaction time (0.5-15 min), and current density (13-40 A/sqm). High R-square values, above 0.9, were obtained with ANOVA. Optimal point was observed to be at pH-6.04, Reaction time-11.63 min, current density-39.2 A/sqm. Experimental values of TOC removal at optimal point were found to be 73% against maximum predicted value of 79%. Color removal efficiency was observed to be 85% at the optimal points. It can be concluded that CBME system can be a suitable alternative for removal of recalcitrant carbon and color post-biological treatment in distillery wastewaters. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2019.