Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

The best part of this Bastille activity is that you do not just sit at a bar and watch someone mix drinks. You make three cocktails yourself, using a shaker, mixing glass, and direct-to-glass methods. It feels part lesson, part tasting, with a charcuterie and cheese board to keep the drinks company.

I like the chance to try three different cocktail styles, and I like that non-alcoholic drinks are included for anyone skipping alcohol. The main thing to consider is the pace: the advertised hour can feel short, especially when several groups are being served and you also want time to eat and relax.

Key points at a glance

• Three cocktail methods: Practice shaking, stirring, and building drinks directly in the glass.
• Three drinks included: Your ticket covers three cocktails, not just a demonstration or single tasting.
• Food comes with it: A degustation board with charcuterie and cheese is included.
• Near Place de la Bastille: Meet at Restaurant Prost and ask for the speakeasy bar.
• French and English instruction: The activity is available in both languages.
• Adults only: This experience is limited to people aged 18 and over.

A cocktail lesson behind Restaurant Prost

This experience takes place at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille, in Paris’s Ile-de-France region. You meet at the restaurant and ask for the speakeasy bar. That simple instruction matters, since the cocktail session is not described as a standard restaurant-table activity. You are heading to a separate bar setting within the restaurant.

The mood is built around cocktail craft rather than a long meal. In one hour, you work through the basic ways drinks are made: shaken, stirred, and built in the serving glass. For a first lesson, that is a sensible structure. It gives you three different techniques instead of repeating one recipe.

I like this format because it connects the method to the drink in your hand. You are not learning abstract bar terms and then leaving. You shake, stir, or build a cocktail, then taste the result. The lesson stays practical.

The activity is offered in French and English, so you can choose the language that lets you follow instructions most easily. The available staff names connected with the experience include Tanguy and Simon, both praised for making the session friendly and enjoyable. Staff quality matters here. Cocktail lessons depend on clear demonstrations and calm guidance, especially when several people are using equipment at once.

Three techniques, three different drinks

The session begins with shaken cocktails. You learn how to combine ingredients in the shaker, use the right motion, and strain the drink into its glass. This is the most physical part of the class, and it is likely to be the moment when the activity feels most like a hands-on lesson rather than a tasting.

Shaking also gives you a basic feel for balance and texture. The point is not simply to make the drink cold. You are practicing how ingredients come together and how the finished cocktail reaches the glass without unwanted ice or pulp. You may not leave as a professional bartender, but you will understand why the shaker is used and how to handle it with more confidence.

A passion fruit martini is one drink that has been made during the experience. The cocktail is especially useful for people who want something familiar but still enjoy making it themselves. If that is one of your favorite drinks, you may have the chance to prepare a version of it during the class, although the exact recipes may vary.

Next comes the stirred cocktail. Here, the pace slows down. You use a mixing glass and learn how to stir, chill, and serve the drink. This method has a quieter feel than shaking, and it shows you that a polished cocktail does not need theatrical movement.

The stirred section is a good contrast to the first drink. You can pay attention to temperature, dilution, and clean presentation. Those details are easy to miss when you only order a drink at a bar. Making it yourself helps explain why the bartender does not simply pour ingredients together and leave them untouched.

The final style is a built cocktail. This drink is made directly in the serving glass, which sounds simple, but the lesson still covers layering and garnishing. This is the method with the least equipment, making it useful for home bartending. You can recreate the basic approach without buying a full professional bar kit.

The three-part structure gives the hour a clear rhythm. Shake one drink, stir another, and build the last. You get a small tour of cocktail technique rather than a single recipe repeated three times.

Three cocktails and a board of French-style bites

Your ticket includes three cocktails and something to eat. The food is served as a degustation board with charcuterie and cheese, giving you salty, filling bites alongside the drinks.

This is a real benefit at the $44 price. A cocktail class without food can leave you focused more on the alcohol than the technique, particularly when three drinks are included. The board makes the session feel closer to a social tasting than a bare lesson.

The food is not a full restaurant meal. That distinction is important. If you want dinner at Prost, or plan to eat on the terrace, food there is not included in this ticket. You should treat the board as a snack or light accompaniment, not as a substitute for a separate meal.

There is also a practical issue with service. One group had to ask for a second board and wait for it, while staff reminded the table that it was reserved for another booking later in the evening. That suggests the food service can be uneven when the bar is handling several groups or when tables turn quickly.

I would plan this as an aperitif activity before dinner, rather than booking it as your only evening meal. You will have something to eat, but the point is the cocktail session. This approach also keeps you from feeling rushed if you want a proper dinner afterward.

The pace: a one-hour class that may run longer

The listed duration is one hour, but the actual visit can last longer when the class is run as a group. Some sessions have stretched beyond two hours from arrival to departure, with time spent drinking the three cocktails and eating the board.

That sounds generous, but there is a catch. A longer total visit does not always mean a more relaxed one. If another group has reserved the table, you may be asked to finish by a set time. One session allowed about an hour and a half for the drinks and board, yet the repeated reminders about leaving made the experience feel hurried.

I would not book this if you need to catch a train, make a timed dinner reservation, or move quickly to another activity. Give yourself breathing room before and after. The class itself is listed at one hour, but group service can change the timing.

The pace may also depend on how much demonstration you receive and how many people are participating. The supplied details do not give a fixed group size, so you should expect a shared class rather than a private bartender lesson. That is part of the social appeal, but it can mean waiting your turn or sharing the instructor’s attention.

If your main goal is to learn a few techniques and enjoy three drinks, the format works well. If your main goal is a slow, intimate evening with no time pressure, the schedule may disappoint.

How the $44 price works out

At $44 per person, you receive three cocktails, the cocktail instruction, a degustation board, and soft drinks. You are paying for both the drinks and the activity, not merely for a seat in a bar.

The value is strongest if you plan to sample several cocktails anyway. Three drinks in central Paris can make up a large part of the cost on their own, and the lesson adds something you do not get from a normal bar visit. The included board also helps make the price easier to justify.

The value is less clear if you drink little, want only one cocktail, or expect a long formal class. Three alcoholic drinks in roughly an hour can be a lot for some people. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available, which helps, but the experience still follows the same cocktail-focused structure.

I would also factor in the setting. You are paying for a speakeasy-style bar experience near Place de la Bastille, not a full meal at the restaurant. If you compare it with dinner prices, it looks reasonable as a drinks-and-snacks activity. If you compare it with a simple bar stop, it costs more because you are also getting instruction.

Who will enjoy this Bastille activity

This is a good fit for couples looking for a playful evening activity. The hands-on format gives you something to do together, and the tasting board makes it easy to share the experience. Couples have particularly enjoyed the relaxed social side when the timing works well.

It also suits friends who want a drink-based activity instead of another museum or walking tour. The three methods give the hour a clear purpose, and the food keeps the evening from being drinks alone.

It is useful for a first cocktail lesson because the techniques are basic and easy to compare. You do not need to know bar vocabulary before arriving. French and English instruction also makes it accessible to visitors who are not comfortable taking a class in French.

People who do not drink alcohol can still take part through the non-alcoholic cocktail options and soft drinks. That is more considerate than simply offering water while everyone else mixes and tastes.

This is not suitable for children under 18. It is also not the best choice for anyone seeking a formal culinary course, a private class, or a full dinner. The experience is social, compact, and centered on sampling.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Arrive at Restaurant Prost and ask directly for the speakeasy bar. That is the meeting point, and using the exact wording should save time.

Keep the one-hour duration in mind, but allow extra time in your evening. The class may take longer as a group, and the food service can add pauses. A flexible schedule will make the experience feel much better.

If you are hungry, eat beforehand or plan dinner afterward. The charcuterie and cheese board is welcome, but it is not the same as ordering food from the terrace or restaurant, which is not included.

Ask about the non-alcoholic alternatives when you arrive if you do not want alcohol. The activity includes equally intended non-alcoholic cocktail options, so you can still follow the cocktail-making format.

Expect three different drinks rather than a detailed master class on one recipe. Pay attention to the technique: how the shaker is handled, how long the stirred drink is mixed, and how the built drink is layered and garnished. Those are the skills most likely to be useful when you try making cocktails at home.

If you are visiting as a couple or group of friends, agree in advance that the class may run on a shared schedule. That will help you enjoy the social part without expecting a private bartender at your table.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book the cocktail lesson?

Book it if you want a lively Bastille-area activity that combines three drinks, simple cocktail instruction, and food. I especially like the clear progression from shaker to mixing glass to serving glass. It gives you useful techniques without turning the hour into a technical seminar.

The strongest reasons to book are the three included cocktails, the charcuterie and cheese board, the English and French instruction, and the non-alcoholic choices. The friendly staff, including Tanguy and Simon, can make the session feel warm and personal.

Think twice if you want a slow dinner, a private lesson, or a tightly controlled one-hour appointment. Group timing and table turnover can make the experience feel rushed, even when the total visit lasts longer than advertised.

For most couples and friends, I would book this as an early-evening aperitif near Place de la Bastille, then continue elsewhere for dinner. That plan matches what the experience does best: teach you a few cocktail basics, give you three drinks to sample, and provide a fun shared hour behind the bar.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail lesson take place?

It takes place at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille in Paris. Ask for the speakeasy bar when you arrive.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is one hour. Group sessions may take longer, with some visits lasting more than two hours from start to finish.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes three cocktails, a degustation board with something to eat, and soft drinks.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are available, along with soft drinks.

What cocktail techniques will I learn?

You will practice shaken cocktails, stirred cocktails made with a mixing glass, and built cocktails prepared directly in the serving glass.

Is the lesson available in English?

Yes. Instruction is available in French and English.

Is food included?

A charcuterie and cheese tasting board is included. Food ordered separately at the terrace or restaurant is not included.

Can children join the activity?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel my booking?

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

Do I have to pay when I book?

No. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, so you can book the spot and pay later.