Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

The best part of this Paris activity is that you do not simply sit at a bar and watch someone mix a drink. You make three different cocktails using a shaker, mixing glass, and serving glass, then drink them with a charcuterie and cheese board. I like the hands-on format and the chance to try drinks you may not normally order.

I also like the choice of non-alcoholic cocktails, which makes the hour more flexible for people in the same group. The main drawback is pace: although the advertised duration is one hour, some sessions run longer, while others can feel rushed when another group has reserved the table.

Key points to know

• Three cocktail techniques: Practice shaken, stirred, and built drinks rather than repeating one recipe.
• Food is included: A tasting board with charcuterie and cheese accompanies the drinks.
• Near Place de la Bastille: Meet at Restaurant Prost and ask for the speakeasy bar.
• French and English instruction: You can take part in either language.
• Good for couples and friends: The social format works especially well for a small celebration or evening out.
• Adults only: The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Making cocktails behind the speakeasy door

This experience takes place at Restaurant Prost in the Bastille area of Paris. At the restaurant, ask for the speakeasy bar. That simple instruction matters, since the cocktail lesson is not presented as a standard restaurant meal on the terrace or in the main dining area.

The setting gives the activity a little more character than a basic bar class. You are there to mix, taste, and share food, not to spend an entire evening at a formal restaurant table. The focus stays on the drinks, with enough food to make the session feel like a light tasting rather than three glasses on an empty stomach.

The price is $44 per person. For Paris, that is a fair deal if you want three cocktails, a tasting board, and instruction in one sitting. It becomes less attractive if you are looking for a full dinner or a long, relaxed cocktail class. Food ordered separately at the terrace or restaurant is not included.

Three drinks, three ways to mix

The class covers three basic cocktail methods. That structure is useful because it shows you that cocktails are not all made the same way. Each method affects temperature, texture, dilution, and presentation.

Shaken cocktails

You begin with the lively method: shaking. The instructor shows you how to combine ingredients in a shaker, mix them with confidence, and strain the drink into its glass.

This is the part most people picture when they hear cocktail class, but it still has useful practical lessons. You learn how the ingredients come together and how the finished drink changes after being chilled and aerated. You also get to take part rather than watch the bartender do all the work.

A passion fruit martini is one drink that has featured in the experience. If that is already a favorite, you may have the chance to make a familiar drink in a new setting. If it is not, the recipe offers a sweet, fruit-forward option beside the other styles.

Stirred cocktails

The second method uses a mixing glass. Stirring is quieter and more controlled than shaking, and the lesson introduces the rhythm needed to chill the drink without making it cloudy or overly diluted.

This section will appeal to anyone who likes classic cocktail technique. The point is not speed. You learn to combine the ingredients, stir them properly, and serve the drink with a cleaner texture. It is a small detail, but it helps explain why a bartender chooses a mixing glass for some drinks and a shaker for others.

You will not need to memorize a long list of recipes to get value from this part. The useful takeaway is knowing which style of preparation suits a drink and how to repeat the basic movement at home.

Built cocktails

The third style is made directly in the serving glass. This looks simple, but the class shows why pouring order, layering, ice, and garnish can affect the final result.

Built drinks are often the easiest to reproduce in your own kitchen because they need less equipment. You do not need a shaker or mixing glass for every cocktail. The lesson focuses on combining ingredients neatly and making the finished drink look appealing.

Together, the three methods give the hour a clear shape. You shake one drink, stir another, and build the third. That variety is a strong reason to choose this activity over a standard tasting where someone else prepares everything.

What you actually receive for $44

The ticket includes three cocktails, something to eat, and soft drinks. The food comes as a degustation board, described as a charcuterie and cheese platter. It is not a full meal, but it gives you something salty and filling alongside the drinks.

The board is especially helpful because the activity involves three alcoholic cocktails in a relatively short sitting. Sharing food slows things down and makes the experience feel more social. If you are planning this as an evening activity, I would treat the board as a substantial snack and plan a separate meal afterward.

Soft drinks are included as well. This is useful for anyone who wants to pace themselves or alternate alcoholic drinks with something else. Non-alcoholic cocktail choices are also available, so a person who does not drink alcohol can still take part in the mixing and tasting.

Food ordered at the terrace or in the restaurant is separate. Keep that distinction in mind when comparing the $44 price with other Paris food and drink experiences. You are paying for the lesson, three cocktails, the tasting board, and included soft drinks, not a complete dinner.

The pace can change from one session to another

The advertised duration is one hour, and the activity is designed around that compact format. In practice, the total time can vary. Some groups have spent more than two hours at the venue, particularly when the session ran as a larger group and the food and drinks were served at a slower pace.

The reverse problem can also occur. If another group has reserved the table afterward, staff may need to move the session along. That can make three drinks and a food board feel like a race, especially if you expected a leisurely evening with friends.

I would plan for flexibility rather than treating the one-hour figure as a strict promise from start to finish. If you have theater tickets, a dinner reservation, or a train to catch, leave extra time. The activity is more enjoyable when you do not need to watch the clock.

The social setup is part of the appeal, but it also affects timing. You may be mixing in a group rather than receiving a private lesson. That means a short wait can occur while other people prepare their drinks or receive food. On the positive side, a group creates an easy atmosphere for couples and friends. On the negative side, service may not move at exactly the same speed for every table.

Friendly staff and language choices

Instruction is offered in French and English. That makes the class accessible to international visitors and to mixed-language groups. You do not need to choose a separate French or English experience in advance based on the information provided.

The staff have been a major strength of the activity. Tanguy and Simon are specifically named as making the experience enjoyable, and the team has also been described as friendly and welcoming. The bartender’s role is important here because the class depends on clear demonstrations and a relaxed tone.

Do not expect a serious professional bartending qualification. This is an informal lesson built around making and drinking three cocktails. You will leave with practical basics, not a certificate or advanced bar training.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 72 ratings. That is a strong result, but the timing concerns are worth taking seriously. The clearest pattern is that the drinks and staff are well liked, while the handling of tables and pacing can affect the mood.

A good match for couples and friends

This is an easy choice for a date night if you want something more active than a restaurant meal. Couples can make drinks together, share the tasting board, and compare the three styles without committing to a long class.

It also suits a group of friends looking for a social activity near Bastille. The format gives everyone something to do, and the three recipes provide natural conversation points. You can taste a new cocktail, work the shaker, and enjoy the food between rounds.

I would be more cautious about booking it for someone seeking a quiet, polished cocktail seminar. The group format and possible time pressure may not provide the calmest setting. The experience is closer to an entertaining guided tasting with hands-on mixing than to a detailed bartending workshop.

It is also not suitable for children under 18. Adults who do not drink can use the non-alcoholic alternatives, so the activity may still work for a mixed group, but confirm the available choices when booking if that is important to you.

Practical advice before you go

Meet at Restaurant Prost and ask for the speakeasy bar. The meeting point is specific, but the instruction is simple. Give yourself enough time to find the restaurant near Place de la Bastille rather than arriving at the last second.

Wear something you can comfortably use around drinks and food. You will handle a shaker and work at the table, so this is not a sit-back-only tasting. The activity includes express security check access, as stated in the booking information.

Think of the included food as a tasting board, not a main course. If you want a full meal, arrange that separately and remember that restaurant or terrace food is not part of the ticket.

The booking terms are friendly for changing plans. 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. Check the available starting times because the class is listed as one hour even though the actual visit can run longer.

Is this Paris cocktail class worth booking?

Book it if you want three different cocktails, a little hands-on instruction, and a charcuterie and cheese board in a speakeasy-style setting near Bastille. The $44 price is reasonable for that package, especially if you value making the drinks yourself and having non-alcoholic choices in the group.

Skip it if you need a precise one-hour schedule, want a full dinner, or prefer a private and highly technical cocktail lesson. To get the most from it, leave extra time after the stated duration and treat the experience as a relaxed social tasting with a practical cocktail lesson built in.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail activity take place?

It takes place at Restaurant Prost in the Île-de-France region of France, near Place de la Bastille in Paris. Ask for the speakeasy bar when you arrive.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is one hour. Some sessions can take longer, especially when the activity runs with a group, so allow extra time if you have later plans.

How many cocktails are included?

Three cocktails are included with the ticket. The class covers shaken, stirred, and built cocktail methods.

Is food included?

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

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives and soft drinks are available for people who prefer not to drink alcohol.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. Instruction is available in French and English.

Is the experience suitable for children?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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

Do I have to pay when I reserve?

No. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.

Is a full restaurant meal included?

No. The ticket includes the tasting board, but food ordered separately at the terrace or restaurant is not included.