Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

The fun begins behind the restaurant at Prost’s speakeasy bar, where you learn by making three cocktails rather than simply watching a bartender work. The session covers shaking, stirring, and building a drink directly in its glass, so you get a useful tour of basic cocktail technique in a compact Paris evening.

I like the clear three-part format, and I like that the $44 price includes three cocktails plus a charcuterie and cheese tasting board. The friendly staff, including Tanguy and Simon in praised sessions, add to the relaxed feel. The main catch is timing: a one-hour booking can feel rushed, especially when a later group has reserved the table.

Key points at a glance

• Three cocktail methods: Practice shaken, stirred, and built drinks instead of repeating one recipe.
• A real speakeasy setting: Meet at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille, then ask for the hidden bar.
• Food is included: Your drinks come with a degustation board of charcuterie and cheese.
• Non-alcoholic choices: Soft drinks and alcohol-free cocktail options make the activity more flexible.
• English or French instruction: You can take the lesson in either language.
• Best for adults: The activity is limited to people aged 18 and over.

Starting at Restaurant Prost near Bastille

Your meeting point is Restaurant Prost, close to Place de la Bastille in the 11th arrondissement. Once inside, ask for the speakeasy bar. That instruction matters, since the cocktail lesson does not begin at a separate street-front classroom.

This location gives the activity a pleasant sense of occasion without requiring a long journey across Paris. Place de la Bastille is well placed for an evening out, with restaurants and bars nearby. You can pair the lesson with dinner, though food ordered from the terrace or restaurant is not part of the ticket.

The speakeasy theme also gives the hour a little more character than a standard bar demonstration. You are not simply seated at a counter while someone mixes drinks. The plan is hands-on, with the bartender showing you how to handle the equipment and then letting you make the cocktails yourself.

Three techniques, three different drinks

The class is built around three basic cocktail methods. That is a sensible format for a short session, since each technique teaches a different part of the craft.

Shaken cocktails

The first skill is shaking. You learn how to combine ingredients in a shaker, create the right motion, and strain the drink into its serving glass. This is the most physical part of the class and usually the one that feels most immediately social.

You do not need previous cocktail experience. The point is to gain confidence with the basic sequence: measure, add, shake, and strain. The bartender guides the process, so you can focus on getting the movement right rather than worrying about every detail.

A passion fruit martini is one example of a drink made during a session. If that is one of your favorites, you may be especially pleased if it appears on your menu or can be prepared as part of the choices offered that day. The exact recipes are not guaranteed in advance, so do not book this as a way to learn one specific named cocktail.

Stirred cocktails

The second method uses a mixing glass. Here the lesson slows down and becomes more precise. You learn how to stir ingredients with ice, chill the drink, and serve it cleanly.

This is a useful contrast with shaking. Stirring depends less on force and more on control. You get a feel for how a drink changes as it cools and mixes, and you see why some classic cocktails are handled gently rather than shaken.

For someone who normally orders cocktails but has never considered how they are made, this part can be the most useful. It explains why the bartender chooses one method over another. It also gives you a technique you can repeat at home with fairly simple equipment.

Built cocktails

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

The work is less about complicated equipment and more about order and presentation. A built drink can look easy, but the placement of ingredients and garnish affects both the appearance and the drinking experience.

Taken together, the three methods give you a good beginner’s foundation. You are not leaving with professional bartender training, but you are learning the main ways a cocktail comes together. That makes the lesson useful for anyone who wants to host friends or understand a bar menu a little better.

What the one-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is one hour. In practice, the full visit can take longer when the group includes several people and everyone is making and drinking three cocktails. Some sessions have lasted more than two hours, while other bookings have felt tightly managed around a later reservation.

That difference is important. If you have another fixed plan immediately afterward, leave plenty of space. A cocktail lesson involves serving, making drinks, eating, and waiting for the next stage. The exact pace can depend on the size of the group and the restaurant’s table schedule.

The most common drawback is not the quality of the drinks. It is the pressure created by a short table booking. A session can stop feeling relaxed if staff remind you that another group needs the table. One booking also involved waiting for a second tasting board, which added to the feeling of being hurried.

I would treat the listed hour as the formal lesson time, not as a promise of a leisurely afternoon. You can have a great time, but this is best placed before or after a flexible evening plan.

Three drinks and a tasting board

The ticket includes three cocktails for each participant. That gives the $44 price a fair amount of substance, particularly in Paris, where three bar drinks alone can quickly approach the cost of the activity.

You also receive something to eat, described as a degustation board with charcuterie and cheese. This is not a full meal, but it is a useful match for the drinks. The board makes the activity feel more like a social tasting than a technical class.

The amount of food may vary with the group. One session required a request for a second board, so it is wise to speak up if the food has not arrived or does not seem sufficient for your table. Food ordered separately from the restaurant or terrace is not included.

The soft drinks are included as well. These may suit you if you want a break between cocktails, prefer not to drink alcohol, or are joining friends without wanting three alcoholic servings.

Alcohol-free options and age limits

You do not have to drink alcohol to take part. Non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives are offered, and the included soft drinks give you another choice. This makes the lesson more welcoming for a mixed group, although everyone attending must be at least 18 years old.

The age limit means this is an adult evening activity rather than a family class. If one person in your party does not drink, check the available alcohol-free choices when you arrive so the session can be adjusted comfortably.

The experience is still centered on cocktail making. The non-alcoholic version is not a separate program, so the focus remains on technique, presentation, and the social rhythm of the class.

The staff and teaching style

The instructors speak French and English. That is useful in a hands-on lesson, where small instructions about shaking, stirring, or straining need to be clear.

The bartender is the key person in the experience. The most warmly praised sessions include Tanguy and Simon, both described as helping create a fun time. Their role is not just to pour drinks. The value comes from demonstrating the method and allowing you to take part.

The class appears better suited to a friendly, informal teaching style than to a formal spirits lecture. You should expect practical guidance and cocktail making rather than a detailed history of every ingredient or a technical study of distilling.

That is a strength for most people booking a one-hour activity. You get to do something, not just listen. If you already work behind a bar or want advanced mixology training, the lesson may feel basic.

Is $44 a good value?

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable if you want an activity as well as drinks. You receive three cocktails, a tasting board, instruction in three methods, and soft drinks or non-alcoholic alternatives.

The value is strongest for couples and small groups who want a shared evening experience. You are paying for the setting, the bartender’s guidance, and the chance to make the drinks yourself. If you would otherwise spend the same amount on several cocktails at a Paris bar, the lesson adds a clear activity component.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is a relaxed meal. The included board is a tasting portion, not restaurant dining. You should also remember that food ordered from the terrace or restaurant costs extra.

Timing affects the value, too. A session that runs beyond the formal hour can be enjoyable, but being asked to leave for the next reservation takes away from the relaxed mood. I would book it for the experience of mixing drinks, not as a slow dinner.

Who will enjoy this Bastille cocktail lesson?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples looking for a light, hands-on Paris date
• Friends who enjoy trying drinks together
• Beginners who want basic cocktail skills
• Visitors staying near Bastille who want an evening activity
• Mixed groups that need alcohol-free options
• Anyone curious about the difference between shaken, stirred, and built drinks

I would be more cautious if you dislike group activities or need a guaranteed unhurried schedule. You may also prefer a traditional cocktail bar if you want to order your favorite drink and spend the evening talking without instructions or table turnover.

The activity works particularly well as a first cocktail class. It does not demand prior knowledge, and the three-method structure gives you a clear sense of what you are learning.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Arrive at Restaurant Prost and ask directly for the speakeasy bar. Do not assume the lesson will be obvious from the restaurant entrance.

If you have a later reservation, allow extra time. Although the stated duration is one hour, group service and the three drinks can stretch the visit. A flexible evening will make it easier to enjoy the food and cocktails without watching the clock.

Tell the staff early if you want non-alcoholic drinks. The activity includes alcohol-free alternatives, but making your preference clear from the start should help the group keep the same pace.

If the tasting board has not arrived, ask about it rather than waiting quietly. Food is included, and it is meant to accompany the drinks.

Finally, remember that recipes can vary. The experience promises three cocktail styles, not a fixed menu of named drinks. If you have a strong preference, such as a passion fruit martini, ask what is available when you begin.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want to make three cocktails, eat a little charcuterie and cheese, and enjoy a playful adult activity near Place de la Bastille. The price is fair for the combination of drinks, instruction, food, and setting.

I would not choose it for a quiet, slow meal or a tightly scheduled evening. The main weakness is the uneven pace, with some sessions feeling rushed when another group is due. Still, the hands-on format, friendly staff, and choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks make this a good pick for couples and friends who want to add a little bar craft to their Paris plans.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail lesson meet?

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

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is one hour. The full visit can sometimes take longer because the group makes, drinks, and eats during the session.

How many cocktails are included?

Three cocktails are included for each participant.

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 food included?

Yes. The ticket includes something to eat in the form of a degustation board with charcuterie and cheese. Food ordered separately from the terrace or restaurant is not included.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

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

Can I take the lesson in English?

Yes. Instruction is available in French and English.

Is the activity suitable for children?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.