Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

Three cocktails, a charcuterie and cheese board, and a tucked-away bar near Place de la Bastille: this is a lively way to spend an evening in Paris. You learn the basics of shaking, stirring, and building drinks, then drink what you make.

I like the mix of hands-on work and food, and I like that nonalcoholic cocktails and soft drinks are included. The main catch is timing. The activity is sold as one hour, but the full visit can run longer in a group, while some bookings have felt rushed when another table was reserved afterward.

Key points

• Three cocktail methods: Practice shaking with a shaker, stirring in a mixing glass, and building a drink directly in the serving glass.
• Three drinks included: You make and drink three cocktails rather than watching a bartender do all the work.
• A Bastille setting: Meet at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille and ask for the speakeasy bar.
• Food comes with the drinks: A tasting board, including charcuterie and cheese, is part of the package.
• French and English instruction: The session is available in both languages, with Tanguy and Simon among the staff associated with recent bookings.
• Not a quiet bar visit: The advertised class lasts one hour, but the complete experience may last 90 minutes or more.

Finding the speakeasy at Restaurant Prost

Your meeting point is Restaurant Prost, near Place de la Bastille in Paris. Once inside, ask for the speakeasy bar. That simple instruction matters, since you are not meeting at a separate cocktail school with a large sign out front. The experience takes place within the restaurant setting.

Bastille is a handy area for an evening activity. You can pair the cocktail lesson with dinner before or afterward, though food ordered at the terrace or restaurant is not included in the ticket. The included food is limited to the tasting board served with the session.

The setting gives the activity a social feel from the start. You are not simply seated at a bar and handed three finished drinks. The point is to work with the bartender, follow the method, and taste the result. Ask for French or English instruction when booking or on arrival, since both languages are offered.

The venue may also use an express security check for entry. That is advertised as a way to skip the line, but it does not change the basic meeting point: go to Restaurant Prost and ask for the speakeasy bar.

Three cocktails, three different techniques

The lesson follows the basic families of mixed drinks. That structure is useful because it teaches you three different ways to prepare a cocktail, rather than giving you three versions of the same routine.

Shaken cocktails

The shaker is the most theatrical part of the session. You learn how to combine the ingredients, shake with control, and strain the drink into its glass. A good shake chills and mixes the ingredients while adding a little texture from the ice.

You do not need prior experience. The instructor guides the movement and helps you handle the shaker with confidence. This is the method most people picture when they think of cocktail making, so it also makes the best party skill. You can take the technique home without needing a professional bar setup.

One drink specifically mentioned in the experience is a passion fruit martini. If that is one of your favorites, you may get the chance to prepare it yourself, though the exact cocktail selection can vary. The important point is that the session is practical. You are involved in making the drink, not only tasting it.

Stirred cocktails

The stirred drink takes a calmer approach. You work with a mixing glass, learn how to chill the ingredients, and stir until the drink reaches the right temperature and dilution. This method rewards patience and a light touch.

For you, the value is in learning why a cocktail is stirred instead of shaken. The process is quieter, but it is not less technical. Too little stirring can leave a drink warm and poorly mixed. Too much can over-dilute it.

This part also gives the class a useful balance. You get the fun of handling a shaker, then the more measured work of preparing a stirred drink. It is a simple introduction to the difference between the two methods.

Built cocktails

A built cocktail is prepared directly in its serving glass. You add the ingredients in place, work on layering, and finish with a garnish. There is less equipment, but the drink still needs care.

This is the method you are most likely to use at home. It saves washing up and can look polished when the ingredients and garnish are handled neatly. The class shows you how a simple drink can still have good presentation.

Taken together, the three techniques give you a useful foundation. You leave knowing when to shake, when to stir, and when to build. That is more practical than memorizing three recipes without understanding the method behind them.

What you actually drink and eat

The ticket includes three cocktails. That makes the $44 price easier to assess, since you are paying for both the drinks and the instruction. You also receive something to eat, described as a tasting or degustation board and specifically experienced as charcuterie and cheese.

The board is not a full meal. Think of it as food to share while you work through the drinks. It helps slow the pace of alcohol consumption and gives the session a more relaxed social rhythm. If you are hungry, plan to eat elsewhere or order separately at the restaurant or terrace, since that food is not included.

Soft drinks are included too. This is useful for anyone taking a break between alcoholic drinks, and it makes the package more flexible for mixed groups. Nonalcoholic cocktail alternatives are also available for people who do not drink alcohol.

That last point is worth noting. You can still take part in the same basic activity without ordering alcoholic drinks. The supplied information does not specify the exact nonalcoholic recipes, so ask the staff what is available on the day.

A hands-on class with a social pace

The best part of this experience is the balance between instruction and participation. You are shown what to do, then take part in making the drinks. A friendly bartender is central to the atmosphere, and Tanguy and Simon are two staff members connected with particularly positive experiences at the venue.

The format works well for couples and small groups of friends. You have something to do with your hands, a board to share, and three drinks to discuss as you go. That gives the evening more shape than simply ordering cocktails at a bar.

It is also a good option if you want an activity that feels light and festive. You do not need to commit to a full culinary course. In a short session, you handle the basic tools, learn three preparation styles, and get a chance to make a drink such as a passion fruit martini.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is closer to a guided tasting with cocktail making than a serious professional bartending course. You will gain useful techniques, but you should not expect a long lesson on spirits, recipe design, bar theory, or advanced garnish work.

The timing issue you should plan around

The advertised duration is one hour, but actual timing deserves careful attention. Some sessions have lasted 90 minutes or more because the experience runs as a group. That can be a pleasant surprise if you have no plans afterward.

The problem comes when the venue has another reservation after your session. Some bookings have involved pressure to finish the drinks and food by a set time, including reminders that the table was reserved for another party. That can make a relaxed evening feel rushed.

I would avoid scheduling a show, dinner reservation, or train immediately afterward. Give yourself a generous buffer, especially if you want to chat, finish the tasting board, or enjoy the last drink at a comfortable pace.

The timing may depend on the size and flow of the group. The published one-hour length is useful for planning, but it should not be treated as a guarantee that you will be in and out in exactly 60 minutes. At the same time, a longer visit is not always better if the restaurant needs the table back.

This is the clearest weakness of the experience. The cocktail instruction itself receives strong praise, but the transition between groups can affect the mood. If you value an unhurried evening above all else, ask about the schedule before paying.

Is $44 a fair price?

At $44 per person, the package includes three cocktails, cocktail instruction, a tasting board, and soft drinks. In a Paris bar, three cocktails alone can take up much of that amount, so the price is reasonable if you want both a drink-based activity and something to eat.

The value is strongest for people who will actively take part. If you only want to sample cocktails, you may find a regular bar visit simpler and less expensive. You are paying for the bartender’s guidance and the chance to prepare the drinks yourself.

It also offers better value for a couple or a group of friends than for someone seeking a private lesson. The social format is part of the experience, and the food board gives everyone a shared point of conversation.

Remember to budget for any extra food ordered at the restaurant or terrace. That is outside the ticket. If you need a full dinner, the $44 package should be treated as an activity with snacks, not as an all-inclusive meal.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to adults who like cocktails but do not have much technical experience. You get enough instruction to learn the basic motions without spending an entire afternoon in a classroom.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a playful evening near Bastille
• Friends who want a shared activity rather than a standard bar stop
• Visitors curious about cocktail techniques
• People who enjoy tasting drinks with a small amount of food
• Mixed groups that include someone choosing soft drinks or nonalcoholic cocktails

It is not suitable for children under 18. It is also not the best match for anyone expecting an advanced bartender qualification, a private setting, or a perfectly fixed one-hour visit.

If you have a favorite cocktail, you can ask about it, but do not assume it will always be on the menu. The passion fruit martini has been part of one particularly enjoyable session, yet the experience details do not promise a fixed recipe list.

Practical tips before you book

Book this as an evening activity, not as a tightly timed stop between other plans. The lesson may be advertised for one hour, but group service can stretch the visit beyond that.

Arrive at Restaurant Prost and ask directly for the speakeasy bar. That is the clearest way to find the activity. If you prefer English, confirm that option, since instruction is offered in both French and English.

Eat lightly beforehand if you need a full meal. The charcuterie and cheese board adds welcome substance, but it is a tasting board rather than dinner. You can order food separately at the restaurant or terrace, but that cost is not part of the activity.

If you do not drink alcohol, tell the staff. Nonalcoholic cocktails and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to sit out while the rest of the group makes alcoholic drinks.

Finally, leave room for the human side of the evening. The bartender can make the session fun and personal, but the pace may be shaped by other bookings. A flexible schedule will help you enjoy the activity instead of watching the clock.

Should you book the Bastille cocktail lesson?

Book it if you want three drinks, simple practical instruction, and a sociable night out for $44. The strongest reasons are the hands-on format, the included charcuterie and cheese board, and the chance to learn three useful preparation methods in one sitting.

Skip it if you want a quiet, private master class or if you need to leave at an exact time. The cocktail making is the heart of the experience, but the schedule can feel hurried when another group is waiting for the table.

For most adults visiting Bastille, I see this as a fun introduction to cocktail craft rather than a full bartending course. Go with a relaxed timetable, ask for the speakeasy bar at Restaurant Prost, and treat the included food as a bonus snack rather than dinner.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail lesson take place?

The meeting point is Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille in Paris. Once there, ask for the speakeasy bar.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is one hour. In a group, the complete visit may last 90 minutes or longer.

How many cocktails are included?

Three cocktails are included. The session covers shaken, stirred, and built cocktail methods.

Is food included?

Yes. A tasting board is included, described as a charcuterie and cheese board. Food ordered separately at the restaurant or terrace is not included.

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks are included with the ticket.

Are nonalcoholic cocktails available?

Yes. Nonalcoholic cocktail alternatives are offered for people who prefer not to drink alcohol.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in French and English.

Can children take part?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.