London’s Best Bars for Cocktail Making
The capital’s love of well-crafted drinks is making its way into the home. As a result, a whole new wave of bars dedicated to mixing up some of the world’s best cocktails have opened up.
And what better way to get in on the action than to attend a cocktail masterclass. These fun events are perfect for hen parties, stags and birthdays!
Sway
Located in Covent Garden, Sway is a modern bar and restaurant that serves a wide range of delicious food and extensive drinks menu. The trendy decor and lively atmosphere make it the perfect place for a night out with friends or a date.
Sway is a modern bar and restaurant with an eclectic mix of global cuisine. The menu features a range of dishes, from small plates to share with friends to hearty main courses that will satisfy any diner.
The drinks menu at Sway includes an extensive selection of cocktails, which are sure to satisfy any drinker. The restaurant is also known for its top-notch service and friendly staff.
This stylish bar and club is a popular place for after-work gatherings and late-night partying. Located in a bustling corner of London, Sway is just a short walk from Holborn and Covent Garden tube stations.
A popular choice for hen parties and birthdays, Sway is an exciting place to learn how to mix your own drinks. The class is led by a professional mixologist and you’ll be taught all the tricks of the trade from start to finish.
You’ll start with a glass of prosecco and a welcome drink, then you’ll learn how to make two classic cocktails with the help of an expert bartender. You’ll also learn about the history of cocktail making and get some insider tips, before enjoying all of your creations in a laid-back atmosphere.
If you’re a gin lover, this high-end gin cocktail making class in London is a must! Your dedicated gin expect will take you through the history of Mother’s Ruin from its illicit past to present day popularity, before teaching you how to create four cocktails using this delicious London gin.
This virtual London cocktail making class is a fun and innovative way to learn how to mix your own drinks. It takes place through video call and you can be a part of the class from anywhere in the world! The bartender will send you all the ingredients and equipment ahead of time so all you need to do is turn up ready to make some mouthwatering cocktails!
The Cottons Club
If you’re looking to brush up on your cocktail skills, there are plenty of fab masterclasses to try. These are a great way to learn the basics of mixology while also having fun.
There’s nothing like a good cocktail to get you in the mood for a night on the town, and there are loads of bars in London that will make sure you have one to remember! From classic tipples to cutting-edge experiments, there are plenty of options.
Whether you’re new to the world of cocktails or a seasoned connoisseur, a cocktail masterclass will be sure to give you the knowledge and confidence to recreate your favourite drinks at home. It’s also a fantastic experience gift for the cocktail lover in your life!
A trip to this cosy, louche Victorian den will be sure to have you in the mood for an evening of gin-based hedonistic indulgence. You’ll learn about the different styles of cocktail making before preparing and enjoying three classic gins, paired with delicious Italian-inspired ingredients.
The Goat in Chelsea is the perfect place to try your hand at a cocktail masterclass (PS16pp). They run classes every Thursday, and each week will focus on a different theme.
You’ll receive a welcome cocktail upon arrival, then you’ll be guided through the steps of making a few drinks by the bartender. You’ll learn about the different techniques and how to use premium ingredients.
If you’re a gin fanatic, you can sign up for their Gin Blending Class where you’ll taste different tonics and discover which botanicals you love the most before making your own small-batch gins. This is a lovely experience gift for the gin lovers in your life!
Another great choice for a fun cocktail masterclass in London is the Cauldron in Shoreditch. It’s a magical place where you’ll step into the imagined worlds of your childhood through molecular mixology and science, with your very own magic wand to get you started!
From a passionfruit martini to a Bakewell fizz, you’ll be able to create some of the best drinks in town with this social-distance friendly cocktail experience. After getting your hands on a magic wand, you’ll then be seated at a technology-filled work station where you’ll be able to brew two molecular cocktails using different types of ingredients.
The Alchemist
If you’re looking for a place to learn how to make some delicious cocktails, The Alchemist is the place to go. The bar has several different masterclasses to choose from, including a two-hour session where you can try out their signature molecular mixology drinks.
You can also book in for a private cocktail making experience with one of the bartenders, who will talk you through each step of the process – ensuring that you have a great time while learning some cool new skills! The masterclass is PS35 pp (PS40 pp with sharing platters and nibbles) and lasts around 60-90 minutes.
Their bar menu features all sorts of fun fusions, from the classics like mojitos to some more exotic concoctions such as their Hive & Soul. This gin-based drink combines Tanqueray, Pimms, ginger beer, raspberry, lime and mint. It’s a refreshing and fruity combination that tastes just like summer!
They’ve got a few interactive cocktails that have a magic wand element to them, where you can brew your own potion. We particularly loved the Colour Changing One, which changes from a dark pink to an orange colour before your very eyes!
The Magic Potion class is a social-distance friendly, immersive class where you’re taken on a magical adventure through molecular mixology. You’ll be seated at a magic wand-interactive work station, where you’ll brew two potions from a list of options.
You’ll then have a chance to enjoy the drink you made, alongside a scrumptious meal that you can have delivered straight to your table. This is the perfect date night, or a special evening with friends.
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more interactive, they also offer a molecular masterclass where you can make your own drink. They’ll talk you through the different ingredients and how they work together, giving you a great understanding of what makes these drinks special.
There are a few more options to choose from, but they’re all very well worth a visit! They even offer a ‘drinks table reservation’ past 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, if you want to get stuck in to some late-night fun.
The Monument
London’s best bars and restaurants offer delicious cocktails and great atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a cocktail bar near Paddington or a cozy restaurant in Peckham, there’s plenty to choose from.
One of the most popular London cocktail spots is The Monument, located just a few minutes from Bank tube station. Inspired by classic old-school Savile Row style tailors, this sharp & dapper basement bar has a twisted 70’s vibe that makes for a fun and fashionable place to drink.
Once you’re off the tube, it’s easy to spot TCC’s twisted taxidermy shop-front that leads down into the cool and crazy (in a good way) Monument venue. Its gold-leafed windows are adorned with revolving animal mannequins in suits, designed in collaboration with ASOS and West-End costume and prop designer Ellan Parry.
Taking inspiration from the building’s former purpose as a traditional men’s suit shop, the seating is decked out in pinstripe, sharks-tooth and tweed upholstery, which also adds to the’sharp & dapper’ theme. The bar itself is surrounded by a paisley link wall of suited animal images overseen by a towering Scotch whisky-fuelled bar.
With a backdrop that’s steeped in tradition, the bar is a great place to take part in an exclusive cocktail making experience. Led by a bubbly bartender, this is a perfect way to enjoy a night out with friends and family or to learn a new skill.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a friendly and helpful bartender who will teach you a few simple tips about how to mix up your own drinks. They’ll help you learn how to shake, stir and muddle your way to three tasty cocktails.
After that, you’ll be given your own set of ingredients and a shaker to use in the class. You’ll be able to learn a little about the history of each drink you try and have a fun time making them.
The class lasts for 1.5 hours, with a delicious Bellini to start the evening off. You’ll then be able to sit back and relax, while your expert bartender guides you through a series of three different drinks.