Restaurants

69 Colebrooke Row

69 Colebrooke Row, N1 8AA (www.69colebrookerow.com).

Twice a month, Tony Conigliaro’s boutique bar in Islington offers a chance to learn about the history of selected styles of drinks from a master bartender. Themes are decided about a month in advance. Up next is Japanese spirits and flavours, with Japanese bartending skills, on February 26 2011 from 2-4pm. £40 per person. Book by emailing drinks@69colebrookerow.com. Read more

Fifth Floor

109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ (020 7235 5250/www.harveynichols.com).

Kick off a decadent Saturday morning at the Harvey Nichols bar with head barman Stani Visciano. Begin with a light, stomach-lining breakfast before being guided through the cocktails of the day. Participants are then let loose behind the bar to practise. The morning ends with a single-course lunch in the Fifth Floor restaurant next door. A few upcoming themes include caipirinhas and mojitos (Feb 26), and sparkling wine cocktails (Mar 26). 9.30am-noon, £60 per person.

Milk & Honey

61 Poland St, W1F 7NU (020 7065 6840/www.mlkhny.com).

Groups of four to ten people can arrange cocktail classes at this highly regarded Soho club. Over the course of two hours in the basement bar, you’ll learn how to make (and drink) six styles of cocktail – including, if you want it, a bespoke cocktail to mark the occasion. £40 per person. Read more

Nightjar

129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB (020 7253 4101/www.barnightjar.com).

This Prohibition-themed bar has a drinks menu grounded in the ‘glorious past’, and is a fitting place to learn about the history of mixed drinks. Workshops (minimum of six people) run from 4 to 6pm. You get the run of a private bar, canapés and a progression through four eras of cocktails with eight drinks to try. Choose your own cocktail from the list to round off the afternoon. £70 per person. Read more

Off Broadway

63 Broadway Market, E8 4PH (020 7241 2786/www.offbroadway.org.uk).

Specialising in American drinks and whiskeys, this Hackney bar holds fortnightly classes entitled ‘A whiskey (whisky) by any other name’, focusing entirely on techniques for mixing drinks with the malty firewater. Starting at 7.30pm, classes demonstrate a minimum of five drinks, which will include four to enjoy. £35 per person. Read more

Skylon

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (020 7654 7800/www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk).

Mixologist Zoran Peric hosts masterclasses on the first Monday evening of every month at the tiny bar inside the Royal Festival Hall’s flagship restaurant. Classes are free to attend – you only pay for what you drink. The next class, on March 7(6.30-9pm), will cover aperitifs. Read more

Classes for larger groups

By arrangement. Phone for details and prices.

Albannach 66 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS (7930 0066/www.albannach.co.uk)

Cellar Door Zero Aldwych, WC2E 7DN (7240 8848/wwwcellardoor.biz)

Callooh Callay 65 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY (7739 4781/www.calloohcallaybar.com)

GloGlo’s 54–56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR (7033 3777/www.gloglos.co.uk)

Lonsdale 44-48 Lonsdale Road, W11 2DE (7727 4080/www.thelonsdale.co.uk)

Purl 50 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX (7935 0835/www.purl-london.com)

Trailer Happiness 177 Portobello Road, W11 2DY (7065 6821/www.trailerhappiness.com)