Dublin: Roe and Co Distillery Cocktail Workshop Experience

Roe and Co turns a distillery visit into a hands-on hour: you tour the old Guinness Power House, learn how Irish whiskey gets its flavor, then make a cocktail with your own hands. The workshop is the star, not a long walk past silent machinery.

I like the Five Pillars of Flavour activity, which helps you work out whether sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or umami suits your palate. I also like the extra cocktail in the Power House Bar, a welcome bonus after you have shaken your own drink. The main drawback is the short one-hour format, so this is a focused introduction rather than a full distillery tour.

Quick points to know

• You make a cocktail yourself: The workshop gives you bar tools, ingredients, and guidance instead of leaving you as a spectator.
• Two workshop choices: Pick Flavours for cocktail practice, or Beyond The Blend for three whiskey tastings, confectionery pairings, blending, and a cocktail.
• The setting is part of the appeal: Roe and Co occupies the former Guinness Power House in Dublin 8’s Liberties district.
• You receive another drink afterward: Your ticket includes a signature Roe and Co serving in the Power House Bar.
• The hour is well used: You get a guided tour, whiskey education, workshop time, and drinks without giving up half a day.
• Bring valid identification: This is an adults-only activity, and you must show a passport or proof of age card.

The old Guinness Power House in Dublin 8

Roe and Co Distillery sits in Dublin’s Liberties, an area long tied to brewing and whiskey making. The building is the old Guinness Power House, giving the visit a strong industrial setting before the first drink is poured.

You are not heading to a distant country estate. This is an urban distillery, close to the center and easy to fit between other Dublin sights. From Trinity College, walk along Dame Street toward Christ Church Cathedral, continue onto Thomas Street, and allow roughly 500 meters after the cathedral. The distillery is on the right.

The bus is simple too. Routes 13, 40, and 123 run from O’Connell Street or Dame Street, with a stated journey time of about 10 to 15 minutes. Get off at Thomas Street or Watling Street. If you are using the Luas, James’s on the Red Line is the nearest stop.

The location makes this a useful rainy-day stop. You can pair it with Christ Church Cathedral, Thomas Street, or the rest of the Liberties without arranging a separate excursion. Hotel pickup is not included, but you do not need it for a city-center visit.

A short tour with useful whiskey context

The visit begins with a guided look at the Roe and Co production process. You learn how whiskey is made and how different choices affect flavor. The tour is not designed as a long technical class, which suits the one-hour schedule, but it gives you enough background to understand the workshop that follows.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Andrew is described as funny and engaging, Luke as enthusiastic and clear, and Erin, Isaac, and Oisin as friendly and approachable. That matters here. Cocktail instruction can feel stiff if the guide simply reads steps from a card, but this format depends on conversation, questions, and a bit of humor.

You should expect a lively presentation rather than a quiet museum-style visit. The best part is the link between what you hear and what you taste. Instead of only discussing flavor in the abstract, you use it shortly afterward in your drink.

The tour is also a good choice if whiskey is not already your favorite spirit. The activity introduces whiskey through cocktails and flavor comparisons, so you do not need a developed palate or much prior knowledge. One especially useful point is that the workshop can show how whiskey changes when balanced with sweet, sour, bitter, or salty elements.

Choose Flavours for the hands-on cocktail class

The Flavours option is the natural pick for most cocktail fans. It introduces the Five Pillars of Flavour: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. You consider your own taste preferences, then choose a whiskey cocktail based on the flavor profile that appeals to you.

This is more useful than simply following a fixed recipe. You learn why a drink works, not just which ingredients go into the glass. The class also gives you a chance to make choices, so your cocktail can suit your taste rather than match everyone else’s exactly.

The workshop setup is a real strength. The class provides the main bar tools, including an apron, jigger, shaker, strainer, bar spoon, and ice. Having your own station makes the lesson feel like a proper short cocktail class instead of a demonstration at the front of a room.

You then measure, shake, strain, and taste. The process includes smells, flavor tests, and a little explanation of the science behind balancing a drink. I like this format because it gives you something practical to take home. You can also receive recipes for the cocktails, making it easier to repeat the experience later.

The class is friendly to beginners. If you usually order wine, beer, or gin, you can still enjoy the exercise. One participant even described enjoying the cocktails despite not normally liking whiskey. The spirit is used as part of a larger flavor mix, not presented as something you must drink neat.

The small catch is that the workshop is short. You will not become a professional bartender in an hour, and the exact cocktail choices may depend on the session. Think of it as a well-organized introduction with a drink at the end, not a full bartending course.

Choose Beyond The Blend for whiskey tasting

Beyond The Blend suits you better if you want to focus on whiskey itself. This option offers a guided tasting of three premium whiskeys, showing different parts of the flavor range found in Irish whiskey.

The tasting comes with specially chosen artisan confectionery. That pairing gives you a way to compare whiskey with food rather than judging each sample alone. Sweetness and texture can change how you notice spice, fruit, oak, or other flavors, though the precise tasting notes are not specified in the activity details.

After tasting, you create your own whiskey blend. You then turn that blend into a cocktail, so the session still has a hands-on finish. This is a nice choice for someone who wants more than a standard tasting flight but is less interested in learning cocktail basics from the Five Pillars.

The two options serve different interests:

• Flavours: Best for cocktail beginners and anyone who likes making a drink.
• Beyond The Blend: Best for whiskey drinkers who want comparisons, pairings, and blending.
• Both options: Include guided instruction and finish with a Roe and Co cocktail.

If your group has mixed interests, check the available booking option carefully before paying. The supplied details present Flavours and Beyond The Blend as choices, so you should not assume that every session includes both workshops.

The Power House Bar adds a second drink

After the chosen workshop, you return to the Power House Bar for a signature Roe and Co serving. This drink is included, which gives the hour a relaxed finish rather than ending the moment you put down your shaker.

The extra drink changes the value calculation. At $28 per person, you are not paying only for a short tour. You receive the guided visit, the chosen workshop, your own cocktail, and another signature serving afterward. Some sessions may also include a small whiskey taste, depending on the selected format and how the workshop is run, so check the exact option when booking.

The bar also gives you time to slow down. The distillery has a modern, relaxed feel, and the bar is a natural place to compare your own cocktail with the signature drink. If you are visiting with friends, this is likely to be one of the more social parts of the experience.

Do not expect a full evening of drinks. The activity lasts one hour, and the included servings are part of a structured experience. If you want to remain at the bar afterward, that would be separate from the tour arrangement and is not covered by the stated inclusions.

Is $28 good value?

I consider $28 fair value for central Dublin, especially if you choose the Flavours session and make good use of the instruction. A guided tour alone can feel expensive when it lasts only an hour, but this package adds a practical class and two drinks.

The value is strongest for three kinds of people:

• You want a Dublin activity that is social and indoors.
• You like cocktails and want to learn a repeatable method.
• You want to try Irish whiskey without committing to a long tasting program.

It is less compelling if you only want a detailed production tour. The visit is brief, and the workshop takes a large share of the time. It is also not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women, and you need valid identification or proof of age.

The activity has a reported rating of 4.9 from 489 reviews, with repeated praise for the guides, cocktail class, friendly staff, and value. The comments also regularly single out Andrew, Luke, Erin, Isaac, and Oisin for making the sessions clear and entertaining. Guide assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise of who will lead your visit.

What to bring and how to plan the hour

Bring your passport or another accepted proof of age card. The activity requires valid identification, and the experience is for adults only.

Wear something comfortable enough for standing and moving through a working distillery. No special equipment is required because the workshop supplies the bar tools and ice. You should also arrive with enough time to find the old Power House, especially if you are walking from the city center.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. It runs in English with a live guide, and you can check the available starting times when choosing a date. The tour begins and ends at Roe and Co Distillery, with no hotel transport.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans are still moving: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are building a Dublin schedule around weather or changing arrival times.

Who should book Roe and Co?

I would choose this for a first taste of Dublin’s whiskey scene, especially if you want something more active than a standard tasting. The Flavours workshop works well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a guide and making something with their hands.

It also suits people who do not think of themselves as whiskey drinkers. Cocktails soften the edges of the spirit, while the flavor exercise gives you a clear way to understand what you like.

Choose Beyond The Blend if whiskey is already your main interest. The three samples, confectionery pairing, personal blend, and final cocktail create a fuller whiskey lesson than the Flavours option.

I would skip it if you want a long technical tour of every production stage, a large museum collection, or a full evening out. The hour passes quickly. That is a benefit when you have a packed Dublin itinerary, but a limitation if you want to linger.

Final call: book it for the workshop

Book Roe and Co if you want a compact, well-priced Dublin experience with a strong guide, hands-on cocktail making, and a second drink at the bar. The most memorable part is likely to be choosing a flavor direction, working with the tools, and tasting the result you made yourself.

Pick Flavours for cocktail skills and a playful introduction to whiskey. Pick Beyond The Blend for three tastings, confectionery pairings, and your own blend. Either way, you get more than a quick look at a distillery, but you should keep your expectations realistic: this is a polished one-hour introduction, not a full-day whiskey study.

FAQ

Where is Roe and Co Distillery located?

Roe and Co Distillery is in Dublin 8’s Liberties district, inside the old Guinness Power House on Thomas Street.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts one hour. Check the available starting times when booking.

What workshop choices are available?

You can choose between Flavours and Beyond The Blend. Flavours focuses on the Five Pillars of Flavour and cocktail making. Beyond The Blend includes three premium whiskey tastings, artisan confectionery, whiskey blending, and a cocktail.

Is a cocktail included?

Yes. The experience includes a Roe and Co cocktail, and you make a cocktail during the chosen workshop. Afterward, you can enjoy a signature whiskey serving in the Power House Bar.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. You must present a valid passport, ID card, or proof of age card.

Is the activity suitable for children?

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

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

How do I reach the distillery from central Dublin?

From Trinity College, walk along Dame Street toward Christ Church Cathedral, then continue to Thomas Street. After about 500 meters, the distillery is on the right. You can also take bus routes 13, 40, or 123, or use the Luas Red Line to James’s.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.