Prohibition makes cocktails make sense fast. In Savannah, this 2-hour class turns that story into something you can taste, inside the 1920s-style speakeasy at the American Prohibition Museum. I love the hands-on format, where you’re actually building drinks at the bar, and I love the speakeasy atmosphere that keeps the whole thing feeling like you stepped into another era.

What really sells it for me is the way the bartenders connect technique to history. You’ll learn proper Prohibition-era mixing basics, then create two full cocktails using the liquor you choose, plus sample three classic cocktails. The only real drawback to weigh is the price: at $87 per person, it’s a splurge, so you’ll want to be sure you’re in it for drinks and instruction, not just a quick night out.

Quick highlights

• A 1920s speakeasy setting inside Congress Street Up at the American Prohibition Museum
• Make 2 full custom cocktails with the liquor of your choice
• Sample 3 classic cocktails, so you get variety and context
• Award-winning bartenders teach you tools and techniques using period-style bar equipment
• A tightly paced 2-hour class that works well as a planned evening activity

Why this Savannah cocktail class feels different than a bar stop

If you like Savannah at night, you’re probably already thinking about cocktails. The fun here is that the class treats drinking like a craft, not a background activity. You’re not just ordering something and moving on. You’re learning why the proportions work, how the tools matter, and how flavors were engineered during a time when spirits were the star and mixers did the supporting work.

This is also a nice change of pace from the usual “walk, look, eat” tourist routine. In two hours you’ll get history, technique, and five cocktails worth of learning. Even better, the experience is built around the speakeasy feel, so the vibe isn’t generic. It’s a purposeful setting, not just a themed room with loud music.

Entering Congress Street Up: the speakeasy vibe at 220 W Congress St

The meeting point is straightforward: 220 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401. From there, the class happens in Congress Street Up, the 1920s-style speakeasy inside the American Prohibition Museum.

That matters more than you might think. A cocktail class can feel like a classroom with booze. Here, the atmosphere keeps you in the right mindset. You’ll be working with period-style presentation—authentic bar equipment, Prohibition-era cocktail culture, and a setting that feels like it was designed for exactly this kind of hands-on lesson.

One practical note: bring a passport or ID. Valid ID is required to take part, and this is for adults only.

Your hands-on session: building 2 custom cocktails with your liquor choice

The core of the experience is the part where you take control. You’ll learn from the bartenders and then make two full cocktails. The big perk for you is that you get to choose the liquor for those custom builds.

That choice turns the class into something personal. If you’re the kind of person who likes bourbon, you can shape your drinks around it. If you prefer something else, you can steer toward your taste. You’ll still be learning core mixing principles, but you’re not stuck making whatever the instructor decided that night.

Expect the bartenders to walk you through more than just a recipe. The class focuses on proper Prohibition-era cocktails, so you’ll get tips related to technique and balance—how mixers change the drink, how stronger spirits behave when cut or sweetened, and how classic flavor combinations became popular when drinking rules were changing fast.

And yes, the alcohol amount is real. Multiple class experiences describe the value as not just educational but also generous with the drinks.

Tasting 3 classics: learning through comparison, not just theory

Before or alongside your custom cocktails, you’ll sample three classic cocktails. This part is smart because it gives you a reference point.

One reason this class works is that you can taste the difference between approaches. You’ll learn what makes a cocktail a Prohibition classic: how it’s built, what flavors show up first, and what lingers. Then you’ll put that thinking to use when you make your own drinks.

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want surprises in your glass, keep one point in mind: some sample sets may lean toward whiskey-forward classics. One participant noted being disappointed that early samples were whiskey-based because they didn’t drink whiskey. The good news is that you can choose the liquor for your two custom cocktails, but the sampled classics are still the classic menu of the moment.

Bottom line: if you love the idea of tasting classics even when you don’t control the lineup, you’ll likely enjoy this part most.

Prohibition-era mixing: the history that actually changes your palate

The history here isn’t read out of a book. It’s used to explain why cocktails look the way they do.

During Prohibition, alcohol availability and drinking culture changed. A lot of the bar magic became practical: powerful spirits needed help. That’s where mixers came in—something to soften the edge, add aroma, and make the drink more enjoyable. Cocktail culture evolved quickly because bartenders had to work with what they could get and still keep customers coming back.

In this class, you’ll connect that era to the way modern cocktails are built. You’ll learn how early mixologists combined ingredients to make flavors work together, and you’ll use authentic bar equipment to practice technique in a way that feels tied to the era rather than modern “shortcuts.”

If you’re a history fan, this is a hands-on way to understand how laws shape flavor. If you’re not, it still helps because it gives you a reason for every mixing rule, not just a list of steps.

Meet the instructors: energetic bartenders who mix humor with technique

The teaching tone seems consistent: people remember the instructors as lively, funny, and engaged. In past sessions, bartenders such as Leah, Eric, Val, Daphne, Blake, Rebecca, Karissa, Bobby, Jason, and Isabella have led classes, with feedback that they were entertaining, personable, and strong on both history and the mechanics of mixing.

You’ll likely notice a pattern in how they teach: they explain the why, show the method, and then let you practice. Several people praised instructors for tailoring or personalizing cocktails, and for being patient with questions. That matters if you’re new to cocktail making. You won’t be expected to already know how to measure, stir, strain, and build a drink.

Also, the class is delivered in English, so you’ll feel comfortable following along without needing translation or specialized cocktail vocabulary.

The $87 price: does it feel worth it in Savannah?

At $87 per person for two hours, this isn’t a budget activity. But here’s how I’d evaluate value if you’re deciding whether to book.

First, the class includes 2 full cocktails and 3 sample cocktails. That’s five drinks tied directly to instruction. Second, you’re not only tasting. You’re making your own custom cocktails using the liquor you choose, guided by award-winning bartenders in an authentic speakeasy setting.

Savannah drink prices can get steep, so the real question is whether you’re getting more than just a night of purchasing cocktails. In this class, you are. You’re paying for the combination of: hands-on practice, proper bar tools and technique, history context, and the structured pace that keeps the night from turning into random orders.

A couple of participants also noted getting a small snack plate, and one mentioned a booklet of recipes. You shouldn’t assume extras every time, since those details aren’t guaranteed in the core description, but they point toward the overall experience being more than just “drink and leave.”

If your travel style is to learn something that changes how you order cocktails back home, then the price starts to make sense fast.

Who should book this class (and who might not love it)

This class is a great fit if you:

• Want an adult-only evening activity in Savannah that doesn’t rely on guesswork
• Like cocktails and want to improve your ability to order or make them
• Enjoy history when it explains why things are the way they are
• Prefer guided fun over doing everything solo

It may not be the best fit if:

• You hate the idea of tasting classic drinks you can’t fully control. The sampled cocktails may include styles like whiskey.
• You’re looking for a cheap, casual stop. This is a paid lesson built around alcohol.

Also, it’s not suitable for people under 21. And since Georgia law requires responsible service, the class is careful about intoxication.

Practical tips so your night goes smoothly

A smooth start makes the class better. Here’s what to do:

• Bring your ID or passport. Valid ID must be presented.
• Eat before you go. The class recommendation is to have food first, partly for comfort and partly because you’re drinking.
• Arrive on time at 220 W Congress St. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’re responsible for getting there yourself.
• Go in as sober as possible. If you look overly intoxicated, you can be denied service and there’s no refund possibility.

If you’re planning the rest of your evening in Savannah, consider this as a main event. It’s two hours, and it’s focused. Plan one nearby activity either before or after, not a long schedule that depends on you arriving perfectly energetic.

Should you book the American Prohibition Museum cocktail class?

I’d book it if you want a night that mixes Savannah atmosphere with real skills. The combination of the speakeasy setting, five cocktails total, and the chance to make two custom drinks with liquor you choose makes it feel like a planned experience rather than an expensive drink order.

Skip it only if you’re price-sensitive and you mainly want a sightseeing night, or if you strongly dislike whiskey and don’t want any classics that might include it.

If you’re even moderately into cocktails, this is one of the more satisfying ways to spend two hours in Savannah: you leave with memories, and you also leave with ideas you can use long after you’ve checked out.

FAQ

Where does the Savannah cocktail class meet?

Meet at 220 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA.

How long is the class?

The class lasts 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $87 per person.

What’s included in the ticket?

You get 2 full cocktails and 3 classic cocktail samples.

Is the class suitable for people under 21?

No. It is not suitable for people under 21.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

What days does the class run?

The cocktail class runs every night except Sunday.

What if I’m already intoxicated?

Per Georgia law, staff can’t serve people who appear overly intoxicated. You may be denied service without the possibility of a refund.