5 Groupon London Experiences That You’ll Never Forget
Whether you’re a mojito lover or a cosmopolitan connoisseur, you can learn some cool bartender tricks at one of these London cocktail making experiences. You’ll be taught a variety of skills, including bottle juggling and ice sculpting, that can be applied back at home.
These immersive cocktail experiences are sure to impress even the most seasoned of drinkers. Featuring interactive elements such as fire and smoke, you’ll be able to try your hand at a variety of drinks in this unforgettable experience!
Moonshine Saloon
Moonshine Saloon is a one-of-a-kind immersive cocktail bar that will transport you to the Wild West. It was created by Inventive Productions and follows on from their sell-out BYOB bar concept Alcotraz.
Inspired by the captivating stories of the Wild West, Moonshine Saloon invites you to enter an undercover gang of bootleggers and become part of their illicit moonshine operation. To do this, you will need to bring your own liquor to ensure you are able to remain undetected by the law.
You will start by meeting a tailor who will measure you up and kit you out with Stetson hats, neckerchiefs and cowboy gear. Once you look the part, The King of The Moonshiners will grant you exclusive access into the shadiest spirit making business in town and you’ll be taken downstairs to the Saloon to get the chance to rub shoulders with locals, try your luck at card or dice games and evade the beady eye of the local Sheriff before completing your evening with personalised moonshine cocktails.
Once you’re inside the saloon you will be greeted by actors who will chat to you as though you are real guests of this fantasy western bar. They will encourage you to try your luck at card and dice games, exchange tales of life in the Wild West and smuggle your own moonshine.
Then, the bootlegger barman will take your smuggled liquor (BYOB of course) and produce personalised moonshine cocktails. You will also be able to watch your character play out an integral part in the interactive storyline throughout the night.
Wizard Exploratorium
The Wizard Exploratorium is the kind of magical experience that will really make you feel like you’re in Diagon Alley. Located in a bright pink townhouse, this is a magically themed bar that offers five floors of fun for witches and wizards of all ages.
If you’re into magic, science, and technology, this is the place to go in London. You can learn to build your own magic wand, brew magical teas and even eat magical sweets.
Aside from these experiences, the Wands & Wizard Exploratorium also has a store where you can find a range of magical merch, DIY wand kits and cool tees. It’s a great place to stock up on magical supplies for your own home or as gifts.
You can also try their Arcane Afternoon Tea if you’re over 12 years old or the Little Wizard’s Afternoon Tea if you’re younger. Both of these offer an interactive experience where you choose your own magic wand and cast spells to control your tea stand and open a locked puzzle chest filled with ingredients. You can then brew two different kinds of tea and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with your choice of sandwiches and cakes!
The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium is one of the few retailers that are still open in Soho as England cautiously exits lockdown. It’s partnered with LGBTQ+ charity Mermaids to create a time-hopping walking tour that dives into the kaleidoscopic history of the trans community, all while raising cash. Visitors can purchase a Magical Map and a t-shirt at the shop, and all profits will go to the charity.
The Bletchley: Cryptic Cocktail Experience
Inspired by Alan Turing’s team of cryptographers who cracked the Nazi’s Enigma code during WWII at Bletchley Park, this immersive WW2 bar lets you try your hand at code-breaking while also drinking some cocktails. You’ll enter a secret war room and work alongside expert mixologists using machines, protocols and brain power to help you decode your own personal cocktail recipe.
After your introduction to the war room, you’ll use cipher machines and radio transmitters to decompose your personality traits into a personalised code – which will be sent to the bartenders who will then create your drink. They will never re-create your code so you can be confident that they’ll make something truly unique to you.
The team behind Lollipop (the guys who brought us ABQ London & The Bunyadi) have created an immersive cocktail experience that’s sure to get your pulse racing! Located in an underground bunker in Chelsea, The Bletchley is the latest creation from Seb Lyall’s Lollipop, and will be opening its doors to the public on February 28th.
Upon arrival, you’ll be given the chance to dress up in a WW2 costume before heading to the secret war room. Once you’ve gotten yourself into the right mood, you’ll sit down at a cipher machine and try to decipher cryptic clues that will lead to your own personalised cocktail.
Once you’ve successfully decoded your clues, you’ll be able to take home your own personal recipe in an envelope! You’ll also be given a few more missions to complete and the bartenders will use your codes to create more bespoke cocktails that will be unique to you.
It’s a very immersive and interesting way to celebrate London’s history with your favourite drink in hand. It’s perfect for a date, a night out with friends or simply a unique way to celebrate a special occasion!
The Alchemist
The Alchemist is an immersive cocktail bar that will cast a spell on Shoreditch this spring. Bringing together more than twenty molecular mixologists, it promises mystical concoctions that brim with fusion flavours such as the signature Colour Changing One and the Bubblebath.
The venue is a modern take on the alchemist, a figure whose work inspired art, science, and literature. It reflects the complex and diverse contributions of the alchemical community and the important role it played in the development of science.
While most people think of alchemy as occult rituals, quests for gold, or even as a religion, it was actually a scientific discipline. From 13th to 1700, alchemists studied nature and matter, seeking change, creativity, and curiosity that led to new theories and discoveries.
In the 18th century, a number of artists portrayed alchemists in paintings. These depicted a wide range of subjects, from portraits to scientific illustrations. While many of them were serious, there was also a lot of playful wit that was intended to be fun for their wealthy patrons.
Among the most famous of these alchemists was Adriaen van de Venne. He specialized in portraits and landscapes, but he also produced a number of paintings with playful humor. This painting, “Rich Poverty,” is a good example of this. The brown and sepia colors that van de Venne used were a bit unusual, but the image was designed to be a laugh riot.
Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago as he leaves his homeland to follow his “Personal Legend” across the sea and into Egypt on a quest for treasure. Along the way he encounters and interacts with a large variety of characters who are all distinct from each other in their own way. While the story is filled with messages about persistence and following one’s dreams, it also carries a message about the importance of diversity.
Purl
Located in Marylebone, Purl is one of London’s first speakeasy-type bars. In its 19th century basement, the bar features classic cocktails that are brought back to life with a new flare and a sense of innovation. The venue utilizes aroma, fogs, airs and foams to enhance the flavour of each drink and stimulate all the senses while also transporting you to another time and place. During this experience, you’ll take part in a cocktail making masterclass that will teach you the different techniques behind each delicious libation. Once you’ve gained a thorough understanding of the process, you’ll be able to mix two of your own drinks to enjoy at the bar.