Savannah has a knack for turning history into fun. In the American Prohibition Museum’s 1920s speakeasy setting, you get hands-on training for custom Prohibition-era cocktails in just two hours. I love that you’re not just watching; you’re actually building drinks with award-winning bartenders using proper bar tools. You also sample three classic cocktails, so you get a mini tasting menu while you learn what makes these recipes work.

One thing to consider: the class is strictly for ages 21+. You’ll also need to show a valid ID, and alcohol service follows Georgia rules—so eat first and don’t show up already intoxicated.

Key things you’ll notice right away

• A real speakeasy vibe in the 1920s-style Congress Street Up space inside the American Prohibition Museum
• Two full cocktails made by you, with the liquor base of your choosing
• Three classic cocktail samples to compare flavors and techniques
• Authentic bar equipment, so you learn more than just a recipe
• Instructor energy and storytelling, with past classes led by bartenders like Leah, Eric, Val, Blake, Daphne, and Karissa

Savannah Speakeasy Cocktails: What This Class Feels Like

This is the kind of Savannah evening that starts with mood and ends with skills. You meet at 220 W Congress St, then head into Congress Street Up—an indoor, 1920s-style speakeasy tucked inside the American Prohibition Museum. The point isn’t just atmosphere (though it helps). The real payoff is that Prohibition-era cocktail culture becomes practical: you learn why early bartenders experimented with mixers, stronger spirits, and balance instead of serving one-note drinks.

I also like how the class ties technique to history without making it feel like a lecture. You’ll follow along as your instructor explains what made those cocktails popular during Prohibition, then you put it into action. If you’ve ever wondered how people turned harsh alcohol into something smooth, this is where that question gets answered—by your own hands shaking, stirring, and measuring.

Price and Value: Why $87 Makes Sense Here

At $87 per person for a 2-hour session, you’re paying for more than a cocktail. You’re buying three layers of value:

• Alcohol included: you make 2 full cocktails and sample 3 classics. That’s five drink experiences tied to specific techniques.
• Instruction included: you’re guided by a bartender-instructor, and the focus is on doing—not just watching.
• Tools and ingredients included: you learn with bar equipment used for real cocktail work (not just a one-time “mix it and leave it” demo).

Now, this is not a cheap bar pour. But if you compare it to paying for cocktails one-by-one, the math changes fast—especially because this class gives you structured learning plus multiple drinks in one block of time. And that’s the part I think is worth the money: you’re not leaving with one drink in your hand. You’re leaving with better instincts for ordering and making drinks.

Where You Go: American Prohibition Museum and the Congress Street Up Setting

The meeting point is straightforward: 220 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401. From there, you’ll step into the museum’s 1920s-style speakeasy experience at Congress Street Up. Expect a low-key, period-inspired vibe that makes the whole session feel like you’re inside a story.

The practical side matters too. Because this is a speakeasy-style setup, plan to arrive on time, with your ID ready. People can miss check-in windows when the experience is tucked inside a museum setting, and you don’t want your evening derailed before it starts.

How the Class Actually Works in 2 Hours

This is built like a tight loop: context, technique, then hands-on building. The session runs for two hours and happens every night except Sunday.

Here’s what the flow looks like once you’re inside:

1. You start with Prohibition context: how cocktail culture shifted when Prohibition pushed alcohol into new channels and encouraged bartenders to use mixers and balance more deliberately.
2. You learn the basics of the bar tools and workflow: how ingredients are measured, how flavors are balanced, and how classic methods affect texture and taste.
3. You make 2 full custom cocktails: you create them with the liquor you choose.
4. You sample 3 classic cocktails: you taste three known styles to learn what “classic” balance tastes like compared with your custom builds.

The class is in English. If you’re a cocktail beginner, you’ll still be able to follow along because the instruction is tied to what you’re doing at that exact moment.

Choosing Your Spirit and Learning the Tools (Not Just Recipes)

One of the most useful parts is that you’re learning the why behind mixing, using real bar equipment. The class is designed around Prohibition-era methods—when bartenders had to make potent spirits more drinkable, and when technique mattered.

In practice, that means you’ll spend time working with common cocktail building blocks like:

• mixers and flavor “helpers” that round off strong spirits
• bar tools used for measuring and controlling dilution and temperature
• ingredient components that affect aroma and finish

And yes, you make it personal. The activity includes 2 custom-made cocktails and you can pick the liquor base. That matters because your “custom” choice isn’t only about the recipe card. It changes the profile of what you taste, and it changes what balance tricks you’ll practice.

Some classes end up with a wider range of tastes during the classic samples, so if you have strong preferences (like avoiding whiskey), think ahead. Even though your custom drinks let you choose your liquor, the classic tastings may not all align with your favorite spirit category.

Mixing Two Custom Cocktails: The Hands-On Part

This is the heart of the experience. You’ll make two full cocktails in the speakeasy, with guidance from your bartender-instructor. That guidance tends to show up in small, practical ways: when to shake vs. stir, how to think about balance, and how garnish and aroma affect the first sip.

This is also where the class feels most worth it compared to a basic bar tour. You’re not just collecting trivia. You’re building two drinks you can later recreate at home. And you’re learning how the ingredients interact, not just the order you put them in.

A nice bonus from past sessions: instructors have been described as highly entertaining and story-driven, and some will tailor instruction to the group’s questions. People have mentioned names like Leah, Eric, Val, Blake, Daphne, and Karissa—useful names to keep in mind because they signal that the teaching style can be fun, not stiff.

The Three Classic Cocktails: Taste Lessons You Can Actually Use

Along with your custom drinks, you’ll sample 3 classic cocktails. This tasting section does two things for you:

1. It teaches contrast. You’ll taste classic structure next to your custom builds.
2. It teaches pattern recognition. After tasting multiple classics, you start noticing what different styles do with sweetness, strength, and acidity.

Because the class doesn’t just hand you a drink and send you away, tasting becomes feedback. You can ask questions midstream, then adjust your thinking as you go. That’s why this class works well even if you don’t know much about cocktails at the start. You’ll leave with a better sense of what you like and why.

The Prohibition History Thread (Without Turning It Into Homework)

Prohibition is the backbone of the story here. You’ll learn how cocktail culture grew during that era, when mixing became a solution. Early bartenders used potent alcohol and teamed it with mixers to make drinks more palatable—and to create flavor balance that felt more intentional.

What I like is that the history isn’t just dates. It’s connected to decisions bartenders had to make. When you learn technique in the context of the problem it solved, it sticks. You’ll remember that balance is a tool, not a random “sweet vs. sour” vibe.

The museum setting helps, too. Congress Street Up creates a physical reminder that this wasn’t abstract history. It was real nightlife culture adapting under pressure.

What to Bring, and What to Plan So Your Night Goes Smooth

Bring a passport or ID card. You’ll need valid ID to participate. The class is not suitable for people under 21.

Also, eat first. The rules are clear: alcohol won’t be served to people who appear already intoxicated. If you want the full experience (and you don’t want the instructor to have to worry about anything), show up fed, hydrated, and ready to learn.

If you’re traveling with friends, consider pairing this with another museum stop afterward. Two hours gives you a focused activity without wiping out your whole evening.

Who This Cocktail Class Is Best For

This fits best if you want:

• a fun couples activity that’s different from the usual bar crawl
• a group event with shared participation (you’ll all be making drinks, not just watching)
• a cocktail skill upgrade you can use at home

It also works well if you’re brand new. The format—learn, then make, then taste—helps you build confidence fast. And because you’re using authentic bar equipment, you’ll learn habits that translate beyond one recipe.

On the other hand, if you hate structured tastings or you’re only interested in one specific spirit style, you might find the classic samples less aligned with your taste. One past participant noted disappointment when early tastings leaned whiskey-based. Your custom drink lets you choose the liquor base, but the classic side may still surprise you.

Should You Book the Savannah Prohibition Cocktail Class?

I’d book this if you want an evening where the vibe is authentic and the learning is hands-on. For $87, you’re getting multiple drinks, real instruction, and a Prohibition setting that makes the whole thing feel like more than another ticketed activity.

I’d skip it if:

• you’re looking for a low-cost, casual drink-only experience
• you don’t want to participate in making cocktails
• you know you won’t enjoy tasting classic styles that may include spirits you usually avoid

If you do go, bring your ID, eat beforehand, and come ready to ask questions. This is the kind of class where you’ll leave with new instincts for ordering and making cocktails long after the speakeasy lights dim.

FAQ

Where does the Savannah cocktail class meet?

You meet at 220 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA.

How long is the cocktail class?

The class lasts 2 hours.

What is included in the $87 price?

The class includes 2 full cocktails that you make plus 3 classic cocktails to sample.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or ID card. Valid ID must be presented.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. The experience is not suitable for people under 21.

What language is the class taught in?

The class is taught in English.

How often does the class run?

It runs every night except Sunday.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is payment flexible when booking?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later, which means you pay nothing today.