Cocktails lessons in Speakeasy

Cocktails taste better when you make them. This one-hour session at a speakeasy inside Restaurant Prost, near Place de la Bastille, gives you three drinks to prepare and enjoy. You work through shaken, stirred, and built cocktails, with guidance in French or English.

I like the mix of hands-on practice and food. You get three cocktails per person, a charcuterie and cheese tasting board, and soft drinks, all for about $44. I also like the friendly teaching style reported from staff members including Tanguy and Simon, plus the chance to make a passion fruit martini. The main drawback is time: the advertised hour can feel tight, and some sessions have stretched to 90 minutes or more while still feeling rushed because another group had the table booked.

I’d treat this as a lively cocktail tasting with practical instruction, not a full bartender training course. It suits couples and small groups of adults who want a fun evening near Bastille, but anyone seeking a slow, quiet meal should check the schedule carefully.

Key points at a glance

• Three cocktails per person: You make one shaken, one stirred, and one built drink, then enjoy the results.
• Inside Restaurant Prost: Go to Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille and ask for the speakeasy bar.
• A tasting board is included: Charcuterie and cheese give you something to eat alongside the drinks.
• Good for English and French speakers: Instruction is available in both languages.
• Non-alcoholic drinks are available: You can request alcohol-free cocktail options and soft drinks.
• Expect an energetic pace: The session is advertised as one hour, but table bookings can affect how relaxed the experience feels.

Finding the speakeasy near Place de la Bastille

The meeting point is Restaurant Prost in the Bastille area of Paris. Once inside, ask for the speakeasy bar. That simple instruction matters, since the cocktail lesson takes place in the bar rather than at the restaurant terrace or in the main restaurant dining area.

Bastille is a useful setting for this sort of evening. You can pair the activity with dinner or a walk around Place de la Bastille, but remember that food ordered separately at the terrace or restaurant is not included. The ticket covers the tasting board, not a full restaurant meal.

The express security check listed with the experience may help you get inside with less waiting. Still, arrive with enough time to find Restaurant Prost and ask for the correct bar. A one-hour activity leaves little room for being lost at the start.

What the $44 price includes

At about $44 per person, the value depends on how much you want from the lesson. You receive three cocktails, a selection of food on a tasting board, and soft drinks. Since you are also taking part in preparation rather than simply sitting down for three finished drinks, the price is reasonable for a social activity in central Paris.

The strongest value comes if you enjoy trying different drink styles. You are not given three versions of the same cocktail. Instead, the session introduces three basic methods used behind almost every cocktail bar:

• Shaking
• Stirring
• Building directly in the glass

The tasting board adds useful balance. Charcuterie and cheese make the drinks feel more like an activity and less like a quick bar stop. It also means you do not have to plan a separate snack during the lesson.

The limitations are just as clear. A full meal is not included, and the ticket does not cover food ordered at the terrace or restaurant. If you arrive hungry, budget for another meal afterward. The listed price is best understood as a cocktail workshop with light food, not dinner.

First lesson: shaking cocktails with confidence

The shaken cocktail is usually the most theatrical part of the session. You learn how to combine ingredients in a shaker, shake the mixture, and strain it into the serving glass. The physical part is easy to grasp, and it gives beginners an immediate sense that they are doing more than watching a bartender work.

The focus is not only on making the shaker move. You also learn why the cocktail is shaken, how the ingredients come together, and how straining affects the final drink. These are small steps, but they are the practical details that help you repeat the recipe at home.

A passion fruit martini is one example available during the lesson. One participant particularly enjoyed making this drink, having chosen it as a favorite. If you already have a preferred cocktail, it may be worth asking the staff whether it can be part of your session, though the exact recipe choices are not specified.

This is likely the most approachable section for first-time cocktail makers. You can see and feel the process right away. The catch is that a group lesson can move quickly, so pay attention during the demonstration before picking up the shaker yourself.

Second lesson: the quieter art of stirred drinks

Stirred cocktails use a mixing glass rather than a shaker. The method looks calmer, but it still requires control. You learn to stir the drink, chill it properly, and serve it without watering it down too much.

This section is useful because stirring is easy to underestimate. A beginner may think it simply means moving a spoon around a glass. In practice, the motion, timing, and temperature affect the drink. The instructor helps turn that simple action into a repeatable technique.

The stirred cocktail also gives the session a different rhythm. After the movement and noise of shaking, stirring shows the more restrained side of cocktail making. It is a good lesson in patience, even if the overall activity itself may feel hurried when tables need to turn.

If you are interested in classic drinks, this part may be the most valuable. The exact cocktails are not fixed in the supplied details, so you should not book expecting a named classic. The clear promise is the method, chilling, and serving technique.

Third lesson: building a cocktail in the glass

Built cocktails are made directly in the serving glass. There is no separate shaker or mixing glass, which makes this method look simple. The skill comes from adding ingredients in the right order, creating layers when appropriate, and finishing the drink with a neat garnish.

This is the easiest method to repeat at home because it needs less equipment. You may find it especially useful if you do not own a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. The lesson shows how presentation can come from careful pouring and a thoughtful garnish rather than complicated bar tools.

The built drink also rounds out the session well. Shaken cocktails teach movement, stirred cocktails teach control, and built cocktails teach accuracy and appearance. Together, the three methods give you a clear starting point for making drinks at home.

Do not expect an advanced mixology course in one hour. You will leave with practical basics and more confidence, but the activity is designed for enjoyment as much as instruction.

The food and non-alcoholic choices

The included tasting board contains charcuterie and cheese. That is a welcome addition with three cocktails, especially for a social session lasting longer than the advertised hour. It gives you something salty to eat between drinks and makes the event work better for a couple or group of friends.

Portion size is not specified, so I would not plan on the board replacing dinner. It is a degustation board, a light tasting selection. If you need a substantial meal, use the restaurant separately or eat before or after the lesson.

You can also choose non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives. This makes the activity more flexible for someone avoiding alcohol, although the experience is still built around cocktail preparation and tasting. Soft drinks are included as well.

For a mixed group, that is helpful. One person can enjoy the alcoholic cocktails while another chooses alcohol-free drinks. The supplied details do not state whether the non-alcoholic alternatives reduce the price, so assume the advertised ticket remains the same.

How the timing really works

The official duration is one hour. That is a compact format for three cocktails, instruction, food, and conversation. It can work if the group is small and the service is well paced, but it does not leave much space for lingering.

Actual sessions have sometimes lasted 90 minutes or more, yet a longer visit has not always meant a more relaxed one. A group may be told that the table is reserved for another booking, creating pressure to finish the drinks and food. One session also involved waiting for a second tasting board, which made the pacing less comfortable.

This is the main practical issue to consider before booking. If you want an efficient activity before dinner, the brisk rhythm may be fine. If you want a leisurely date with no clock watching, leave extra time and ask about the table schedule when you arrive.

The session is also described as a group experience. That can add fun and conversation, but it means you will not control every part of the timing. You may need to wait while others prepare their drinks, or move on before you have fully settled into one stage.

The instructors and the feel of the session

Instruction is available in French and English, which makes the activity accessible to international visitors and local couples alike. The strongest praise centers on the staff being friendly and helpful. Tanguy and Simon are specifically associated with a very enjoyable session, while another participant singled out the staff’s warm manner.

That friendliness matters in a cocktail lesson. Beginners often worry about looking awkward with a shaker or making a mistake in front of a group. A relaxed instructor can make the activity feel playful rather than technical.

At the same time, the staff must balance teaching, serving food, clearing tables, and handling the next booking. That may explain why the experience can feel rushed at busy times. A good instructor can keep the drinks moving, but the schedule still shapes the evening.

I would book this for people who enjoy participation. If you prefer to sit quietly while a bartender prepares everything, choose a regular bar visit instead. Here, the point is to pick up the tools, follow instructions, and make the drinks yourself.

Who should book this experience?

This is a strong fit for:

• Couples looking for a light, social date near Bastille
• Friends who want to try unusual cocktails together
• Beginners curious about cocktail technique
• English and French speakers
• Adults who want food included with a drinks activity
• People who appreciate non-alcoholic options in a group

It is not suitable for children under 18. It may also disappoint anyone expecting professional bartender certification, a long technical workshop, or a full meal.

The activity received an overall rating of 4.5 from 72 reviews, with especially strong praise for the fun atmosphere, unusual drinks, and friendly staff. That matches the design of the experience: it is built to create a good evening out, with enough instruction to make you feel involved.

Smart ways to enjoy the hour

Start by arriving ready to ask questions. If you have a favorite drink, such as a passion fruit martini, mention it early. The session may include different recipes, and the exact drink list is not guaranteed.

Eat a little beforehand if you are likely to need dinner. The charcuterie and cheese board is useful, but it is not described as a full meal. You can then focus on the cocktails instead of trying to make the tasting board carry the whole evening.

Keep your schedule flexible after the activity. The official time is one hour, but some sessions have lasted longer. At the same time, do not assume that extra time means you can linger comfortably, since another table may be reserved.

Finally, remember where your ticket applies. Food at the terrace or main restaurant is not included. Ask for the speakeasy bar when you reach Restaurant Prost, and confirm any extra orders before they are added.

Should you book the Bastille cocktail lesson?

Book it if you want three drinks, light food, and a hands-on introduction to shaken, stirred, and built cocktails in a Paris speakeasy setting. The $44 price is fair when you value the three cocktails and the included tasting board, and the French or English instruction makes it easy to join in.

Skip it if you need a slow dinner, a highly technical class, or a guaranteed fixed schedule. The best approach is to think of this as a lively cocktail experience with useful lessons, not a formal school. For couples and friends who want to laugh, taste, and learn a few tricks for the home bar, it is a good Bastille night out.

FAQ

Where does the cocktail lesson take place?

It takes place at Restaurant Prost near Place de la Bastille in Paris. Ask for the speakeasy bar when you arrive.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is one hour. Some sessions have lasted 90 minutes or more, although the pace can still feel rushed if another group has the table afterward.

How many cocktails are included?

Three cocktails are included per person.

Which cocktail-making methods are taught?

The session covers shaken cocktails, stirred cocktails, and built cocktails made directly in the glass.

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 options and soft drinks are included.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in French and English.

Can children attend?

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