13 Cocktail Workshops Worth Booking

1.Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 3 hours · from $67Our pick

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in Kyoto learning home-style izakaya dishes with English-speaking instructors such as Yumi and Yumiko. You cook in two rounds, eat what you make, and take home recipes. The menu may include savory dishes and dessert, with simple techniques suited to beginners.

“Great introduction to izakaya style cooking. You receive a well documented recipe set which allows you to make the dishes at home easily. I can strongly recommend this activity.”

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2.Izakaya Style Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $71Top rated

At Cooking Sun Kyoto, an English-speaking chef guides you through dashi, sauces, seasonal dishes, and several izakaya favorites in a traditional wood house. The three-hour class begins at 2pm, includes dinner and recipes, and suits families, beginners, and keen home cooks.

“Keiko and her team were organized, welcoming, explaining clearly in a way that was relaxed and fun. I learned so much and the food was all delicious! I truly enjoyed every moment. The space was comfortable and the equipment was clean and easy to use. They thought of EVERYTHING! We made a variety of items and I believe I can replicate them at home. It was hands on and fun.”

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3.Cartagena: Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 211 reviews · 6 hours · from $20

Join local hosts for a six-hour Cartagena night out with Salsa or Champeta lessons, drinking games, free shots, live music, and entry to three clubs. Meet at Viajero or Masaya, then walk through Getsemaní with English- and Spanish-speaking guides such as Camila, Marbeluz, or Hugo.

“The guides were very friendly and very animated. They definitely made sure that you got up and dance with them especially during the dance classes.😂 They also make sure that you get enough shots even before you make it to the club😂. They do different things in different days and also take you to some pretty high end clubs that you would normally have to pay for if you were not in the group. Jorge or Jose, the only male guide in the group WAS AMAZING!! He has great energy all around, liked to dance and definitely tries to make sure your having a good time. Highly recommended.”

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4.Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 1 hour · from $44

Meet at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille and ask for the speakeasy bar. In a French or English session, you make three cocktails using shaking, stirring, and building techniques, then enjoy a charcuterie and cheese board. Tanguy and Simon are among the friendly team members.

“Very fun activity and got to try cocktails i’ve never had before! Also made a passion fruit martini as it is one of my favourite drinks, staff members are lovely and friendly”

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5.Tokyo Night Cooking Class: 5 Home-Cooked Japanese Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $79

Meet near Iriya at 5:30 pm for a three-hour Tokyo cooking class with a MagicalTrip guide such as Alice or Fuji. Shop for ingredients, prepare five izakaya dishes, taste sake or soft drinks, and eat what you make. The class welcomes vegetarians but not vegans or gluten-free diners.

“This was an amazing cooking class and experience. Our hosts were wonderful. We really enjoyed trying out so many different foods, and learning lots of useful tips we could take home with us. If you're considering any cooking classes, you should really pick this one.”

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6.Sip History In a Secret Speakeasy Cocktail Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $97

At Sip History in downtown Charleston, Tommy Alchemy’s certified Alchemists guide you through cocktail history, balance, acids, shaking, straining, and hands-on mixing. You’ll enjoy three cocktails, bar snacks, water, and use of professional tools in a small group across from Marion Square.

“My husband and I were in town for just one day and wanted to do something fun. After a quick Google search for local activities, I came across the “Sip History Speakeasy” — and I was instantly intrigued. Although the original venue was under construction and the event had to be moved, any worries I had quickly disappeared once we arrived. Jack was fantastic! He not only shared the fascinating history behind classic cocktails but also explained how and why each was created. We absolutely recommend this experience!”

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7.Salsa Dance Class and Nightlife Tour in San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $59

Meet instructor Angelina at Roofyard2012 at 8 p.m. for a welcome cocktail, beginner merengue and Salsa de Calle lessons, and a short history of Caribbean music. Then head to a nearby salsa bar with live music. Groups are limited to 10, and no dance experience is needed.

“Angelina was exceptional! She was able easily breakdown the rhymes and steps for anyone wanting to learn Salsa. Would highly recommend!! Fun night!!”

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8.Night Cooking Class: 5 Home-Cooked Japanese Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 3 hours · from $103

Meet your English-speaking guide near Iriya Station for a three-hour evening class built around Japanese home drinking culture. Prepare hand rolls, wagyu or tofu steak, rolled egg, and miso eggplant, then pair your food with three alcoholic or soft drinks.

“Alice our guide was amazing. Very knowledgeable and she made the night a whole lot of fun. We met some great people doing the cooking class with us. 100% recommend.”

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9.Bar hopping & Poncha Workshop in Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Walk Funchal’s historic center with an English-speaking guide such as Matt or Duarte, stopping for six local drinks. You’ll taste white wine, craft beer, ginja in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, Nikita, and Poncha. Note that the advertised workshop may be a demonstration rather than hands-on drink making.

“Meerdere lokale drankjes gehad. Leuke plekjes. Bij elk drankje uitleg over dat drankje wat het ook leuker is.”

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10.Madrid Wine Tasting, Flamenco Class and Trendy Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 4 hours · from $87

Meet Fernando or another English- or Spanish-speaking guide at Madrid’s Bear statue, then visit three bars for four Spanish wines and tapas. Learn tasting basics, hear tales of lovers, criminals, and kings, take a flamenco class, and add a professional show for an extra fee.

“Lots of fun. The wine was good and learnt about them. The flamenco was fun too!”

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11.South Fork, American River: Chili Bar (Class III+ Whitewater)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $115

Meet your guide near Placerville for a 9-mile South Fork American River run through splashy Class II and III rapids. You’ll face Meat Grinder and Trouble Maker, stop for a riverside lunch, and finish near Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Clayton may be your upbeat, entertaining guide.

“Clayton, our guide, was extremely friendly, upbeat, engaging, knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. My party of four had a really great time on the water, and the lunch prepared for us was quite nice. I'd recommend Tahoe Whitewater Rafting to anyone looking for a fun group activity, and a great way to beat the summer heat to boot!”

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12.Nice: Cocktail Workshop in a Stylish Bar Lounge in Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · from $6Best value

At Town bar on Rue Benoît Bunico, a professional bartender leads a one-hour cocktail workshop in English or French. You get a welcome shot, learn basic mixology, taste a sample drink, and may create cocktails behind the bar. Cocktail packages cost extra.

“We did this activity last week for a bridal shower. The bartenders were very nice and made sure we had a great time. They thaught us a lot of fun facts while making cocktails for us. The bride was also allowed to make a few cocktails for us behind te bar, it was fun! :)”

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13.Natural Soap and Shampoo Bar Making Workshops

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 2 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $80

At Les Savonnettes in Lisbon, you spend 2.5 hours making natural soap and shampoo bars with Portuguese olive oil, vegetable oils, infusions, and essential oils. The small group is limited to eight, and you take home 1/2 kilo of your own soap batch. English, French, Norwegian, and Portuguese are offered.

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