Cocktail Kurse/Workshop in Zürich (by Shake ‘N Smile)

Four cocktails, serious fun. I like the way this workshop teaches cocktail skills you can use right away, and I also like that your drinks can be made with or without alcohol, so the group stays inclusive.

The main thing to watch is cost creep: the class includes four cocktails, and if you drink more than that, you pay extra per additional drink. At two hours, you will also want to plan how you keep the night going after the bar.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Small group size (5 to 20), which makes conversation feel natural instead of forced
• 4 cocktails included, plus chips and small bites to keep you happy while you learn
• Alcohol or mocktail options, with the same goal, impress your friends
• Cocktail history, tools, and bartender techniques, not just hand over a glass and smile
• Professional bar setting at Shake ‘N Smile – The Bar Academy & Cocktailbar, so you can see how a real setup works
• Express elevators to skip the line, handy when Zürich is busy

Shake ‘N Smile in Zürich: a bar class that actually feels social

If you want a Zurich activity that is part class, part party starter, this cocktail course fits the bill. It is built for people who like learning a skill, but also want the evening to feel light and social, not like a school assignment.

The heart of the experience is that you make cocktails together and you get to try what you make. The included tasting matters, because cocktail mixing is one thing, and balance, aroma, and taste are the real test. You will also learn why the ingredients work together, with cocktail history and tools woven into the evening, so it is not only about following steps.

For me, the best part is the flexibility. Your drinks can be prepared with alcohol or as non-alcoholic versions, and that means you can share the same class experience with the whole group, even if not everyone wants alcohol.

Where you start at The Bar Academy

You meet at Shake ‘N Smile – The Bar Academy & Cocktailbar. Starting at a purpose-built bar academy is a practical advantage. It is not a random room in an hotel or a shop with a few supplies in a corner. You get a real bar setting, which makes the tools and techniques feel grounded.

The venue also includes a simple perk to reduce friction when you arrive: express elevators to help you skip the line. In Zürich, that kind of time saved matters, because you only have a two-hour window for the workshop itself.

If you care about comfort and getting around easily, the location is wheelchair accessible. That is worth checking off early when you plan an evening.

The 2-hour flow: 4 cocktails, chips, and small bites

This is a focused, two-hour session. That matters because you are not spending half a day on something you might not even finish enjoying. Instead, you get enough structure to learn, make, and taste multiple drinks, without the class dragging on.

Here is what is included that shapes the flow:

• 4 cocktails are part of the program
• Chips and small bites are included
• The workshop lasts 2 up to 3 hours in total, so you should treat the core experience as about two hours unless your chosen time slot runs longer

A course like this usually works best when you show up ready to taste and adjust. Cocktails are about balance. Even if you do not remember every detail, you will walk away with a sense of how sweet, sour, bitter, and spirit free options can be made to work.

Also, keep your expectations realistic around the included drinks. The workshop includes up to four cocktails. If you want a second round beyond that, you will pay extra per additional drink. Think of the class as four learning and tasting cocktails, and everything after as the optional bonus.

Alcohol, mocktails, and the same skills

One of the most thoughtful features here is that the cocktails are offered with and without alcohol. That means you are not forced into a separate “kids” version of the class or a watered-down substitute. You get to learn how cocktail structure works, and then you can choose what goes into your glass.

Practically, this matters because:

• You can build confidence mixing flavors even if you avoid alcohol
• You can stay social with friends who choose different drink styles
• You can keep the evening going without feeling boxed in by one choice

If you are traveling in a mixed group, this is a big plus. It is easier to coordinate plans when everyone can participate fully. And if you do want alcohol, the course still keeps things within the included four cocktails, which helps you pace yourself.

Cocktail history and bartender tools that make the class stick

This is not just “shake and hope.” The workshop includes cocktail history plus tools and technique. That blend is what turns a one-time drink into a repeatable skill.

Why history helps: cocktails were not invented as random drinks. They came from changing tastes, ingredients, and bar culture. Knowing a bit of the backstory gives you context for why certain recipes became popular, and it can help you remember what you did in the glass.

Why tools and bartender skills matter: you get the practical side of mixing, the kind of knowledge that helps you recreate a drink later. Even if you forget the full recipe, you can remember the method and the purpose of each step. That is where you get value, because the workshop becomes something you can reuse at home or on future trips.

Meeting people, then taking the class into Zürich nightlife

The workshop is designed as a social activity. It is built around meeting new people in Zürich, and the group size is small enough that you can actually talk while you mix and taste.

That social side is not just “nice to have.” In a city like Zürich, a bar lesson can turn into a smoother first night. You already have a shared topic, and you already know you will have drinks in the middle of the conversation.

After the class, the provider frames it as a great starting point for a night out in Zürich. You will still need to plan the next steps yourself, but the timing makes sense. You finish in the early part of the evening, fueled by snacks, and you have new friends or at least new acquaintances to accompany you.

Tip if you are pairing it with other plans: pick one anchor idea after the workshop, like a short walk or one specific bar area. With a two-hour class, it is easy to waste time figuring things out when everyone is hungry and thirsty.

Price and value: $181 or 90 CHF, plus what happens after four drinks

The listed price is $181 per person, and the included details also mention 90 CHF per person. That likely reflects the same cost in different currencies, but prices can shift with exchange rates. Before you book, I would confirm the current total in the currency you are paying in.

Is it good value? For me, yes, if you want more than a single drink experience. You get:

• A professional bar setting at Shake ‘N Smile – The Bar Academy & Cocktailbar
• A small-group environment (5 to 20 people)
• Four cocktails included
• Chips and small bites
• Cocktail history plus tools and bartender techniques
• Options for cocktails with alcohol and without alcohol

The main “value limiter” is the extra-drinks rule. If you go past four cocktails, you pay more per drink. That does not make the workshop unfair, it just means you should decide how many drinks you want before the final tasting.

A practical way to think about it: the price buys the structured experience, four included cocktails, and the skill. If you treat it like an open-ended bar night, you will spend more than you planned.

Who should book this cocktail course

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a hands-on Zürich activity that includes tasting, not just watching
• Prefer a small group (not a huge crowd)
• Travel with friends who might want alcohol-free options
• Like learning techniques you can reuse later, not just souvenirs

It is also a solid choice if you are a solo traveler who wants conversation. The setup is built for meeting new people in the city, and the class format naturally gives you things to talk about.

It may not be ideal if you are mainly looking for a long, guided evening meal or a full nightlife package with transport and multiple venues. This is a tight two-hour course, designed as a class plus a start to your evening, not an all-day itinerary.

Should you book Shake ‘N Smile’s Zürich cocktail workshop

If you want a memorable, practical activity in Zürich that does not require special knowledge, I think it is worth booking. The blend of four included cocktails, small-group energy, and bartender skills is the sweet spot. Add the with-and-without-alcohol option and it becomes easy to include everyone in your travel group.

Book it if you are excited to learn how cocktails are built, taste what you make, and then keep the night rolling. Skip it if you only want to drink casually for a cheaper price, because the included format is four cocktails and extras cost extra.

If you do book, my best advice is simple: pace your plan around the four included cocktails, and choose your post-class nightlife plan right after you finish so you are not scrambling later.

FAQ

How long is the cocktail course?

The duration is listed as 2 hours, with a total duration of 2 up to 3 hours depending on the time slot.

How many cocktails are included?

You get 4 cocktails inclusive as part of the course.

Are non-alcoholic cocktails available?

Yes. Drinks are possible with and without alcohol, and there are cocktail options that use non-alcoholic recipes.

What is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Shake ‘N Smile – The Bar Academy & Cocktailbar.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What happens if I drink more than four cocktails?

Only if you drink more than 4 cocktails will you pay more per drink.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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