Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

Three cocktails, one hour, plenty of swagger. In this Bastille speakeasy lesson, I love the hands-on shaking, stirring, and built-in-glass techniques, and I love that you get to drink your creations with a charcuterie-and-cheese tasting board. The only catch is the pace, since later groups come through and you may feel slightly rushed.

Meeting at Restaurant Prost and asking for the speakeasy bar keeps things easy, and you skip the express security check. Instructors work in both French and English, and non-alcoholic cocktail options are part of the experience too, which makes it a smarter choice for mixed groups.

Quick hits before you book

• Bastille-area speakeasy setting at a true cocktail bar restaurant mood
• 3 drink-making techniques in one session: shake, stir, and build
• 3 cocktails included, plus a tasting board and soft drinks
• French or English instruction, with guides like Tanguy and Simon leading some sessions
• Non-alcoholic options so you are not stuck sipping soda
• Expect time pressure if the bar is running multiple groups back to back

Entering The Speakeasy Bar In Bastille’s Restaurant Prost

This experience is built around the speakeasy vibe in the Bastille area, with the meeting point set at Restaurant Prost. When you arrive, ask for the speakeasy bar, and you’ll get pulled into the mood fast, before you ever touch a shaker.

What I like about this setup is that it’s not just a classroom. It feels like a real night out where the staff guide you through cocktail craft while keeping the bar side of the experience moving. That matters, because you’re spending your time learning and tasting, not sitting around watching someone else work.

The other useful detail is the express security check, which helps you arrive without wasting your Paris time on slow lines. In a one-hour activity, even small delays can feel big.

The 3 Techniques You’ll Practice: Shaking, Stirring, Building

The lesson is designed around three core ways to make cocktails, and you actually practice the motion, not just theory.

First up is shaker cocktails. This is where you combine ingredients, shake with confidence, and then strain to get a clean pour. It’s the technique people think of when they picture cocktail craft, and it’s also one of the easiest to learn if you follow the instructor’s pacing.

Second is stirred cocktails. Here you use a mixing glass for chilling and gentle mixing. This part teaches you how to slow down the process and aim for smooth results. Even if you never become a “stir every day” person, this is a skill that helps you understand what different spirits and ingredients do at different temperatures.

Third is built cocktails, made directly in the glass. This is where you learn layering and garnishing so the drink looks as good as it tastes. One of the nice things about this segment is that it rewards attention, not speed. You can put your focus into the visual details, and your drink ends up looking like it belongs in a bar menu.

By the end, you’re supposed to leave with confidence you can use at home, which is the real point. In a city full of wine and cheese tours, a hands-on cocktail lesson gives you something different you can repeat.

One more practical note: the session includes 3 cocktails for you, so you’re not just making one drink and calling it a day. Past sessions have included options like a passion fruit martini that a guide helped guests make, which is a fun reminder that the lesson is not limited to one boring “training drink.”

What’s Included In The Degustation Board (And Why You’ll Care)

Food here is not an afterthought. You get something to eat as part of the ticket, described as a degustation board. In at least one feedback note tied to this experience, the board is specifically called out as charcuterie and cheese, which is the right kind of pairing for cocktails.

Why it matters: cocktails can be strong on the palate, especially if you’re drinking three in a row. Salt and fat from charcuterie and cheese help keep your taste buds from going flat. You also get a needed break between drinks, so the experience stays fun rather than turning into a sprint for the exit.

You also get soft drinks, which is helpful if you want water and non-alcoholic options in the mix. And yes, there are non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives included, so you can stay in the same “three drinks, three techniques” structure without alcohol doing all the work.

Just keep expectations realistic about the food timing. One downside that shows up in feedback is that when the bar is handling multiple groups, service can feel a bit tight. If you are hungry, plan to pace yourself early, not at the end.

$44 Per Person: Does This Speakeasy Lesson Deliver Value?

For $44 per person and 1 hour, you get a lot of built-in cost coverage: 3 cocktails, a tasting board, and soft drinks.

If you’ve ever paid in Paris for a single cocktail at a busy bar, you’ll understand why this is a value play. Instead of paying separately for drinks and snacks, you’re paying for a structured experience that wraps technique teaching into the same price as the tasting.

Is it a bargain? It can feel like one, especially because you’re not just drinking. You’re learning three methods that actually change how cocktails feel and taste. That’s the difference between a “drink tour” and a workshop.

That said, the time and bar flow matter. If your expectation is a long, calm, fully unhurried course, you may find the experience more fast-paced than you want. The upside is you get more “doing” for your money. The tradeoff is you might not linger.

Timing, Group Size, And Why Some Sessions Feel Rushed

This is the part to understand before you show up. Even though the experience is listed as 1 hour, the reality can feel tighter when multiple groups are scheduled closely.

There are a couple of reasons:

• You are making and receiving three cocktails in a short window.
• There are also staff and kitchen rhythms running in the background, including getting food out to your table.
• When later groups arrive, the bar needs to keep moving.

In feedback, some guests describe it as more of a cocktail tasting than a deep, slow lesson. Others say the drink pace plus the food schedule made the experience feel rushed, especially when there is a delay with the second board being served.

So here’s my honest advice: go in with the mindset of a lively workshop, not a private class. You’ll enjoy it most if you treat it like a fun tasting session where you pick up useful technique, then immediately practice it.

If you’re the type who gets stressed by short timelines, you might want to pick a session at a calmer hour, or go with a group that’s okay with moving at bar pace.

Who This Fits Best, Couples, Friends, And Non-Alcoholic Sippers

This is a 19+ style experience because it is not suitable for children under 18.

Beyond that, it fits several common travelers well:

• Couples looking for something different in Paris that feels more interactive than a museum
• Small groups of friends who want a shared activity without needing advanced cocktail knowledge
• People who like cocktails but want structure, meaning you learn why the drink is made that way

I also think it’s a good choice if you drink non-alcoholic drinks. The experience explicitly offers non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives, and the ticket includes soft drinks. So you’re not just sitting out while others sip.

And if you care about language comfort, you’re covered. The instructor can work in French and English, so you won’t be locked out if your French is rusty.

What about the staff? One of the most consistently positive notes is how friendly and helpful the guides can be. Names that come up include Tanguy and Simon, which is nice if you like the feeling of having a real person leading your night instead of a random handoff.

How To Get More From Your Cocktail Workshop In Paris

If you want this to feel worth your time, do two things: stay engaged and ask for one or two specific tips.

1) Pay attention to the “why,” not just the motion

When you learn shaking, stirring, and building, ask yourself what changes in each method. Shaking often gives you a different texture and chill level. Stirring is calmer and usually smoother. Building is where presentation and layering become part of the craft.

2) Watch the garnish and the layering rules

Built cocktails are where people often stop caring. Don’t. If you learn how garnish goes on and how layering stays clean, you’ll be able to recreate the look at home.

3) Pace your tasting

You’ve got three cocktails, plus a board. If you sprint through the first drink, the last two can feel less enjoyable. Start with a slower sip, eat a bite, then go again.

4) If you are doing non-alcoholic options, treat it as part of the lesson

Non-alcoholic alternatives are included, so you can still participate fully in the technique. Don’t assume it will be a lesser experience. The goal is the same, learning how to build flavor and balance.

5) Be ready for bar speed

Even when the lesson is organized, it’s still a functioning cocktail bar. If you get served a bit later than you expected for the food, try not to let it spoil the vibe. You’re there for the craft and the drinks.

Should You Book This Speakeasy Cocktail Lesson?

Book it if you want a fun, social activity in the Bastille area that teaches you real cocktail basics in a short timeframe. At $44 with 3 cocktails plus food, it’s one of the more straightforward ways to get hands-on value instead of just buying drinks.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you’re looking for a slow, detailed masterclass with no time pressure. The session can feel compressed when groups rotate quickly, and some guests have flagged that the experience can lean more toward tasting than a long, in-depth course.

My simple decision rule: if you like doing things with your hands, and you’re okay with a lively bar pace, you’ll likely have a great time. If you prefer calm, unhurried instruction, consider other drink experiences that give you more breathing room.

FAQ

How long is the cocktail lesson?

The session lasts 1 hour.

How much does the experience cost?

It costs $44 per person.

What’s included with the ticket?

You get 3 cocktails, a tasting board (something to eat), and soft drinks. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are also offered.

Where do I meet for the experience?

Meet at Restaurant Prost, then ask for the speakeasy bar.

Are non-alcoholic cocktail options available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are included with the ticket.

What languages are the instructors?

The instructor speaks French and English.

Is this experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.