Cocktail Experiences
Private Cocktail-Making Classes in Chicago
Shake something up together.
Bring your people together for a hands-on cocktail-making class with Shake & Gather. Learn useful techniques, explore new flavors and enjoy the drinks you create—with friendly guidance throughout.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday, planning a team gathering or getting friends together for something different, we'll help shape the experience around your group.
Private experiences at your home or suitable venue. Alcohol is purchased and supplied by the host or venue.
The Experience
Hands-on, approachable and social
You don't need bartending experience to join in. We'll guide you through the selected recipes, explain the tools and demonstrate the techniques before you try them yourself.
Depending on your chosen menu, you'll practice measuring, shaking, stirring, balancing flavors and adding the finishing garnish.
Learn the tools
Practice the techniques
Explore flavor balance
Make and enjoy your creations
The techniques and recipes your class covers are confirmed with your selected menu.
Who It Is For
A different way to gather
Birthdays and milestone celebrations
Friends' nights and private parties
Corporate team gatherings
Bachelor and bachelorette celebrations
Small-group celebrations at home
Menu & Personalization
Your group. Your occasion. Your menu.
Tell us what you're celebrating and the flavors your group enjoys. We'll recommend a class format and menu, then confirm the participant count, timing, equipment and ingredients in your proposal.
Interested in zero-proof drinks? Let us know when you inquire so we can discuss a suitable menu.
What would your group enjoy?
- Classic cocktails
- Seasonal flavors
- A celebration theme
- Zero-proof options
- Help choosing a menu
These are inquiry preferences we plan around — not guaranteed package inclusions.
Fully custom cocktail recipe development is available as a separately quoted enhancement.
Finished drinks from the cocktail library
Margarita
Old Fashioned
French 75
A few examples from our cocktail library. Your class menu is confirmed during planning.
Quoted Individually
Every private class is quoted individually. Your quote reflects participant count, class format, menu, ingredients, location, setup needs and scheduling.
Alcohol is purchased and supplied by the host or venue and is not included in your quote.
Request a Private Class QuoteClass Formats
Private class formats
Cocktail Social
Learn the basics. Enjoy the company.
An approachable introduction to cocktail making. Your instructor guides your group through two cocktails, demonstrating the tools and techniques before everyone joins in.
- Two cocktails
- 60–75 minutes of instruction
- Essential bartending techniques
- Beginner-friendly, hands-on format
- 2 recipes
- Instruction time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Minimum 8 participants
$49 per person · $395 event minimum
Alcohol is purchased separately by the client or venue and is not included in Shake & Gather’s invoice.
Plan a Cocktail SocialShake, Sip & Celebrate
Make something worth celebrating.
Bring a hands-on activity to your next celebration. Create three cocktails with guided instruction, elevated garnishes and an interactive presentation that keeps your group involved.
- Three cocktails
- Approximately 90 minutes of instruction
- Elevated garnishes
- Interactive celebration format
- 3 recipes
- Instruction time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Minimum 8 participants
$69 per person · $595 event minimum
Alcohol is purchased separately by the client or venue and is not included in Shake & Gather’s invoice.
Plan Your CelebrationMixology Masterclass
Explore the craft behind the cocktail.
Take a closer look at technique and flavor as your group creates three craft cocktails. Explore more advanced methods or choose a team challenge as part of your confirmed class format.
- Three craft cocktails
- Approximately 120 minutes of instruction
- Deeper instruction in technique and flavor balance
- Optional team challenge within the class format
- 3 recipes
- Instruction time: 2 hours
- Minimum 8 participants
$89 per person · $795 event minimum
Alcohol is purchased separately by the client or venue and is not included in Shake & Gather’s invoice.
Plan a MasterclassIncluded with every class
Instructor-led guidance, mixing stations, bartending tools for class use, recipe-specific mixers, juices, syrups, fresh garnishes, recipe cards, ice, setup and breakdown. Station arrangements are confirmed for your group and venue.
You provide the alcohol and a suitable space. We provide purchasing instructions based on your confirmed menu and participant count.
Your base package price is the greater of the per-person total or the event minimum. Additional staffing, travel, optional enhancements and applicable tax are confirmed in your proposal.
Interested in a zero-proof experience? Let us know when you inquire.
What We Provide
We bring the instruction. You bring the people.
Shake & Gather provides the instructor and bartending tools for use during your class. Mixers, juices, syrups, garnishes, ice and serving supplies are confirmed with your selected experience.
- Guided instruction
- Bartending tools for use during the class
- A selected recipe menu confirmed during planning
- Alcohol purchasing guidance for the confirmed menu
- Ingredients and serving supplies as specified in the proposal
Tools are provided for use during your class and are not kept by participants.
What the Host Provides
A space to shake and gather
Classes take place at your home or suitable event venue. Your group will need enough table or counter space to participate comfortably. We'll confirm workspace, water access, setup and cleanup arrangements during planning.
The host or venue purchases and supplies all alcohol. We provide an alcohol shopping list based on the confirmed recipes and participant count.
Your proposal identifies
- Venue and workspace requirements
- Tables and seating responsibilities
- Water access
- Ice and glassware responsibilities
- Setup and cleanup arrangements
- Any additional supplies the host needs to provide
Group Size & Timing
Room for everyone to participate
Class timing and group size are confirmed with your experience. Tell us how many people you expect, and we'll recommend a format that gives everyone room to participate.
Instruction time is scheduled separately from setup and breakdown, and both are confirmed in your proposal.
How It Works
From first idea to first shake
Tell us about your gathering
Share your preferred date, location, participant count and occasion.
Choose your experience
We'll recommend a class format and menu, then confirm the details in your proposal.
Prepare for the class
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll provide alcohol purchasing guidance and explain what your space needs.
Shake, learn and gather
Your instructor guides the group through the selected recipes and techniques.
An inquiry, saved plan or quote does not reserve your date. Booking requires quote acceptance, a signed agreement and the required payment, subject to availability. Quotes are valid for seven days.
View Booking PoliciesCocktail Experience FAQ
Questions about private classes
Next Step
Let's plan your experience
Share your preferred date, location, participant count and occasion. Include any favorite cocktails, zero-proof interests or dietary requirements, and we'll help build your class.
Plan My Cocktail ExperienceAlcohol is client-supplied. Submitting an inquiry does not reserve your date.
