Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

The fun here is that you do not simply watch a bartender work. You make three cocktails yourself, learning the different skills behind shaken, stirred, and built drinks. I like the practical format, and I like that a tasting board of charcuterie and cheese comes with the session rather than leaving you to drink on an empty stomach.

The staff, including Tanguy and Simon on some sessions, receive warm praise for their friendly service. You also get soft drinks and non-alcoholic cocktail options. The main catch is timing: the advertised session lasts one hour, but the full visit can stretch longer, and some groups have felt rushed when another booking was waiting for the table.

Key points at a glance

• Three cocktail methods: Practice shaking, stirring, and building drinks directly in the glass.
• Three cocktails included: You make and drink three different recipes during the session.
• Food comes with the ticket: A charcuterie and cheese tasting board accompanies the drinks.
• Bastille location: Meet at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille and ask for the speakeasy bar.
• French and English instruction: You can take the lesson in either language.
• Adults only: This activity is limited to people aged 18 and over.

A cocktail lesson behind Restaurant Prost

This experience takes place at Restaurant Prost near Paris’s Place de la Bastille. The meeting point is the restaurant, but you should ask for the speakeasy bar when you arrive. That small detail matters. If you walk in expecting a clearly marked cocktail-school entrance, you may waste time looking around.

The setting gives the activity a little more character than a standard bar tasting. You begin in a restaurant environment and then move into the speakeasy area for the cocktail session. The supplied information does not promise a secret passage or a theatrical entrance, so I would not book this expecting a full mystery show. The appeal is the bar setting and the chance to make the drinks yourself.

Bastille is a useful part of Paris for an evening out. It is a lively district with plenty of places to eat and drink, so you can pair the class with dinner before or after. The class itself does not include food from the restaurant terrace or regular restaurant menu, though it does include a smaller tasting board.

Three techniques, three different drinks

The lesson is built around the three basic ways many cocktails are prepared. That gives you a useful structure instead of a loose tasting with no clear thread.

Shaken cocktails

The first skill is shaking. You learn how to combine ingredients in a shaker, chill the drink, shake with control, and strain it into the serving glass. This is the most physical part of the class, and likely the moment that feels most like a traditional cocktail lesson.

You should expect to take part rather than watch a long demonstration. The point is not to become a professional bartender in an hour. It is to learn the movement, the order of the basic steps, and the feel of making a drink that needs proper chilling and mixing.

One recipe mentioned in the feedback is a passion fruit martini. If that recipe is on your session’s menu, it gives you a familiar example of how fruit, sweetness, and spirits are brought together in a shaker. Recipes can vary, so do not assume the exact menu is fixed.

Stirred cocktails

The second method uses a mixing glass. Here, the focus shifts from energetic shaking to slow, controlled stirring. You learn how to chill and combine a drink while keeping its texture clear and smooth.

This part helps explain why some classic cocktails are stirred instead of shaken. The technique looks simple, but the speed, amount of ice, and length of stirring affect the finished drink. For anyone who usually pours ingredients into a glass and hopes for the best, this is a useful lesson in control.

The session is not presented as a specialist spirits seminar. You are there to make and taste the drinks, with enough instruction to understand the method. That makes it approachable for beginners.

Built cocktails

The final style is the simplest in appearance: a drink made directly in its serving glass. You learn how to layer ingredients, add ice, and finish the drink with a garnish.

Built cocktails are a good reminder that a short ingredient list still needs care. The order of ingredients, the amount of ice, and the final presentation all affect the result. This is also the easiest technique to repeat at home because it does not require a shaker or mixing glass.

Together, the three methods give you a useful foundation. After the class, you should be able to look at a recipe and understand why it calls for shaking, stirring, or building.

Three cocktails, plus something to eat

The ticket includes three cocktails, one made using each method. That makes the $44 price easier to assess than a ticket covering only one drink and a short demonstration. You are paying for instruction, the drinks themselves, and a small food pairing.

The included food is described as a degustation board, with charcuterie and cheese specifically mentioned in the feedback. It is not a full meal. Think of it as something to nibble while the drinks are prepared, not a replacement for lunch or dinner.

Portion timing is worth noting. At least one group needed to ask for a second board, and service around the food was not always quick. If you are hungry, eat beforehand or plan a proper meal elsewhere. The board is a pleasant extra, but it should not be the main reason you book.

The pairing does improve the session. Three cocktails can feel like a lot without food, and salty cheese and cured meats give you something to enjoy between drinks. Soft drinks are also included, which is useful for pacing yourself or for anyone in the group who does not want alcohol.

Non-alcoholic choices are part of the plan

You do not have to drink alcohol to take part. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are included, along with soft drinks. This makes the activity workable for a mixed group, provided everyone is at least 18.

The information does not specify the exact non-alcoholic recipes. I would ask the staff at the start what alternatives are available if you have a strong preference or dietary concern. The important point is that non-drinkers are not limited to plain water while everyone else shakes and stirs.

The format also lets you decide how much to drink during the session. Since three cocktails are included, pace yourself and use the food and soft drinks sensibly. This is a lesson in making drinks, not a contest to finish them quickly.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The official duration is one hour. That is a compact format, and it suits you if you want a short activity near Bastille rather than a long evening course.

In practice, the full visit may take longer. A couple described spending more than two hours because the activity was conducted in a group. Another group had around one and a half hours to drink three glasses and eat the board, while staff reminded them that the table was reserved later.

These details point to two possible timing issues. First, the scheduled one-hour class may not include every moment spent waiting for drinks, food, or table service. Second, a crowded schedule can make the experience feel hurried even when the total visit runs beyond the stated duration.

I would avoid booking this immediately before a train, show, or timed museum entry. Give yourself breathing room afterward. If you are planning a relaxed date or a long catch-up with friends, ask at the beginning how much time you have at the table. That simple question may prevent confusion.

The group format is part of the value and part of the risk. Sharing the bar with others can make the class social, but it also means the instructor is dividing attention. The experience works best when you accept that it is a lively group activity, not a private masterclass.

The instructors and language options

Instruction is available in French and English. That makes the activity accessible to international visitors and local residents alike. You should still tell the staff your preferred language at the start so the demonstrations and explanations are easy to follow.

Tanguy and Simon are named as members of the team who have led sessions, and their friendly manner receives particular praise. Staff warmth matters here because beginners need clear direction when handling shakers, ice, strainers, and glassware.

The supplied details do not promise that you will have Tanguy or Simon at every booking. Consider them examples of the team rather than guaranteed instructors. The key practical point is that the lesson is designed for French and English speakers.

Is $44 good value?

At $44 per person, the price is fair if you want an activity rather than simply a place to buy cocktails. You receive three drinks, hands-on instruction, a tasting board, and soft drinks. Buying three cocktails separately in a Paris cocktail bar could easily account for much of the price, before adding food or the lesson.

The value is strongest for beginners and couples who want a shared activity. You leave with basic methods you can repeat at home, and the session gives you more to talk about than a normal round of drinks.

The value is weaker if you want a long, calm tasting or a serious bartending course. The lesson lasts only one hour on paper, recipes may be selected for the group, and the timing can feel compressed when the venue has another booking. You are not signing up for detailed instruction on spirits, equipment, cocktail history, or advanced techniques.

I would also separate the included board from the restaurant experience. Food on the terrace or in the restaurant is not part of the ticket. If you want a full dinner, budget for that separately and allow enough time before or after the class.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the activity to:

• Couples looking for a light date-night activity near Bastille
• Friends who want to make drinks together rather than sit through a demonstration
• First-time cocktail makers
• English-speaking visitors who want a French option with English instruction
• Groups with mixed drinking preferences
• Anyone curious about the difference between shaken, stirred, and built drinks

It is less suitable if you need a quiet private lesson, a full meal, or a tightly controlled schedule. It also is not suitable for anyone under 18.

The class has a social feel. The strongest feedback centers on having fun with the staff, trying unfamiliar cocktails, and enjoying the shared activity. That tells you what to expect: a friendly bar outing with instruction, not a formal culinary school.

Practical tips before you go

Arrive at Restaurant Prost and ask for the speakeasy bar. Do not assume the meeting point will be obvious from the street.

Wear something comfortable enough for standing and handling a shaker. The provided details do not state how much of the session is seated, so it is best not to plan around a formal restaurant meal.

Ask about the timing when you check in. If another group has booked the table afterward, knowing the cutoff helps you decide when to order or request the food board.

If you want a particular cocktail, such as a passion fruit martini, ask whether it is available that day. One participant made that drink as a favorite, but the exact recipes are not guaranteed for every session.

Keep your evening flexible. The published duration is one hour, but group service can make the overall visit longer, and occasional delays with food may affect the pace.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Paris plans are still shifting. An express security check is listed as included, though the supplied details do not explain the exact procedure or where it applies, so I would follow the staff’s directions on arrival.

Should you book this cocktail class?

Book it if you want three drinks, a little hands-on practice, and a fun stop near Place de la Bastille. The combination of three cocktail methods, a charcuterie and cheese board, and non-alcoholic choices gives the $44 price real value for a casual evening.

Skip it if your main goal is a polished, unhurried meal or an advanced bartending course. The reported time pressure is the key concern, especially for groups with a later table reservation.

My call: this is a good pick for couples and friends who value participation over technical depth. Go in expecting a social speakeasy activity, ask about the schedule at the start, and leave room in your evening. That is the best way to enjoy the drinks without watching the clock.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail lesson take place?

Meet at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille in Paris, and ask for the speakeasy bar.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is one hour. Group service can make the total visit longer, so avoid scheduling something immediately afterward.

How many cocktails are included?

Three cocktails are included, with practice in shaken, stirred, and built cocktail techniques.

Is food included?

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

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives and soft drinks are included.

What languages are offered?

The activity is offered in French and English.

Can children join?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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