Speakeasy drinks with real technique.

This 2-hour class in the 1920s-style American Prohibition Museum speakeasy, Congress Street Up, turns cocktail making into a hands-on lesson tied to Prohibition-era history.

I love that you make two full cocktails by choosing your liquor, then round it out with three classic samples. The vibe is also a big deal: award-winning bartenders run the room with an authentic speakeasy feel, and reviews mention instructors like Leah, Val, Blake, and Daphne bringing energy and humor while teaching the craft.

One drawback to consider: at $87 per person, it’s not cheap, and if you strongly avoid certain spirits, the mix of what you make (and what the group tastes first) can be a fit-or-miss moment.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Custom build time: you create 2 full cocktails using the liquor of your choice.
• Prohibition storytelling on the spot: learning connects to why cocktails changed during Prohibition.
• Real tools, not movie props: you use authentic bar equipment for classic methods.
• Big tasting value: you sample 3 classic cocktails in addition to your custom pours.
• Instructors get praised for teaching style: names that show up in feedback include Leah, Eric, Val, Blake, Daphne, Karissa, and Rebecca.
• Expect a rule-first alcohol policy: eat beforehand; service can be denied if someone appears intoxicated.

Entering The American Prohibition Museum Speakeasy (Congress Street Up)

Your night starts at 220 W Congress St, Savannah. From there, the experience is intentionally theatrical, but not in a cheesy way. Congress Street Up is built to feel like you stepped through a door into the 1920s, and the museum context makes the drink history feel grounded instead of decorative.

Plan to arrive with a little buffer. One review notes confusion about the inside location when the ticket timing felt strict, so I’d rather you show up early than race around trying to find the entrance.

This is also an English-led class, so you can expect the teaching to be straightforward and easy to follow. Reviews repeatedly point to instructors who explain both the spirits and the tools, so even if you’re a beginner, you’ll get your bearings fast.

Prohibition Lessons You Can Actually Taste

Here’s the core idea: Prohibition changed what people could get, so bartenders got creative with mixers and potent spirits. In this class, that history isn’t delivered like a lecture you forget five minutes later. You learn the logic behind the mixing style, then you practice it.

You’ll be taught how cocktails were made in the Prohibition era, using proper methods and equipment. The payoff is that you start seeing cocktails as formulas you can understand—balance, strength, and how flavors behave when you stir, shake, strain, or pour.

One thing I really like about the way this class is described and reviewed is that the instructors blend technique with story. Many feedback comments mention history tidbits alongside hands-on prep, and that combination tends to stick better than facts alone.

What You’ll Make: Two Full Cocktails, Your Liquor Choice

The main event is two full cocktails you build yourself. You get to choose the liquor, which matters because it lets you steer the flavor direction. If you know you like gin, rum, whiskey, or another base spirit, this option can make the class feel more personal than a one-size-fits-all demo.

Because you’re making full drinks (not tiny samples), the class feels like an actual experience, not just a tasting session. Reviews also mention a wide setup of bar ingredients and tools—things like bitters and sours—so you aren’t limited to only sweet, blended outcomes.

A small caution: one participant feedback said the first few drinks leaned heavily toward whiskey and they didn’t prefer it. So if you have strong dislikes, I’d treat this as a technique class where your preference matters, but the exact lineup may depend on how the session runs.

The Classic Cocktails Part: Three Samples That Teach Balance

Along with your custom creations, you’ll sample three classic cocktails. This tasting portion is where you learn what the “rules” are before you start improvising on your own.

Think of the classics as benchmarks. When you taste multiple standards back-to-back, you notice the differences in sweetness, acidity, dilution, and aroma. That helps you later when your own cocktail needs adjustment—more balance, a sharper edge, or a smoother finish.

Reviews emphasize variety and good flavor quality from the samples. And because you’re tasting while learning, you can connect the method to the result instead of just swallowing and moving on.

Using Authentic Bar Equipment (Why It Matters)

The class doesn’t treat tools like background props. You’ll use authentic bar equipment, which makes a practical difference in how the drink tastes.

For example, the way you shake vs. stir isn’t just ritual. It affects texture and dilution, which changes how flavors pop. Even without seeing every technical detail listed, the repeated feedback about learning the tools and spirits points to a hands-on format where you don’t just watch—you do.

This is also where you pick up “trade” tips. Multiple reviews describe instructors who explained utensils, spirits, and techniques clearly, sometimes with extra patience for people new to cocktail making. If you’ve ever tried to copy a recipe at home and it didn’t turn out, this portion is the kind of training that usually fixes that.

The Instructors: High-Energy Teaching With Real Spirit Knowledge

The instructor lineup varies by night, but the praise pattern is consistent. Reviews highlight bartenders who are entertaining, personable, and good at turning history into something you remember. Names that come up include Leah, Val, Blake, Daphne, Eric, Karissa, Rebecca, Jason, Bobby, and Christan.

What those comments have in common is less about personality alone and more about communication. People describe instructors who explain the “why,” not just the “do this.” That matters because cocktails are chemistry plus craft. If you understand the logic, you can reproduce results later.

So if you’re the type who likes a teacher who can keep things moving while still answering questions, this is a strong bet based on the feedback.

Price and Value: Is $87 Worth It?

At $87 per person, this is a premium class, no sugarcoating. But when you compare it to what you’d pay for multiple drinks in Savannah bars, the structure makes more sense.

You’re getting 2 full cocktails plus 3 classic samples, and you’re also buying instruction tied to technique and history. Several reviews mention extra extras too, like a small booklet/recipe info from the class and even a snack plate. Those details push it closer to a complete evening activity rather than a quick tasting.

You’re also paying for an instructor-led experience inside a museum speakeasy setting. That’s not just ambiance. It shapes the pacing, the teaching, and the overall experience you walk away with.

Still, it’s worth being honest with yourself: if you’re simply chasing the cheapest drinks, this won’t win. If you want a night where you learn how to build cocktails you can repeat at home, it starts to look like good value.

Timing, Scheduling, and How to Plan Your Night

The class runs every night except Sunday and lasts 2 hours. That timing can be ideal in Savannah because you can treat it as your evening anchor—do dinner nearby, then settle into the speakeasy session.

One practical note: you’re recommended to eat prior to attending. Georgia rules also matter here. The class setup follows a policy that alcohol won’t be served to guests who appear overly intoxicated. If someone is denied service, it’s without a refund, so pace yourself and come fed.

Also bring your passport or ID card. Valid ID is required, and you must be 21+. The instructor is English-speaking, so you won’t need translation equipment or a language cushion.

Finally, if you’re traveling as a couple or group, plan for a shared evening rhythm: you’ll be tasting, mixing, and listening in the same stretch of time. It’s not the kind of activity that pairs well with a strict schedule where you need to dart off immediately after.

Who This Class Fits Best (and Who Might Skip)

This class is ideal if you:

• Want to learn technique and not just drink something tasty
• Like Prohibition-era Americana and want it explained through cocktail culture
• Enjoy being hands-on—making your own drinks instead of watching only
• Appreciate a guided experience with humor and lively teaching

You might think twice if you:

• Have strong dislikes for specific spirits and need guaranteed alternatives
• Want a super low-cost activity
• Prefer pure tasting over learning (this is instruction-first)

Based on the instructor praise, it also fits well for first-timers. The feedback repeatedly mentions patience, clear explanations, and a setup that helps beginners feel confident.

Should You Book This Savannah Cocktail Class?

If you like cocktails and you want the story behind them, I’d book this. The combination of two full custom cocktails, three classic samples, and hands-on Prohibition-era technique is exactly the kind of experience that turns a night out into something you can use later.

Just go in smart: eat beforehand, bring your ID, and keep expectations realistic about the spirits served first in the session flow. If that sounds like a good match, this class is a fun, well-taught way to spend two hours in Savannah’s American Prohibition Museum speakeasy.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the cocktail class?

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

How long is the cocktail class?

The class lasts 2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get 2 full cocktails and 3 sample cocktails.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $87 per person.

What age and identification rules apply?

You must be 21+ and present a valid ID. You should bring a passport or ID card.

Does the class run every day?

No. The cocktail class 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.

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