2-Day Cocktail Programme

Where Creativity Meets Strategy

Led by our expert team, this immersive 2-day course is designed for bartenders, bar owners, and hospitality professionals ready to take their cocktail programme to the next level. You’ll step into our dedicated Cocktail Kitchen for a hands-on journey through modern mixology techniques, sustainable practices, and signature drink creation — all grounded in real-world application.

Book now

2-Day Cocktail Programme

Throughout the course, you’ll explore house-made ingredients, experiment with advanced garnishes, and learn to twist timeless classics into unique, memorable serves. Whether you’re building a cocktail menu from scratch or refining an existing one, this programme equips you with the tools and insight to elevate your offering — and your profits.

What’s Included

  • Cocktail Consultation for Your Bar
    Every participant receives a personalised post-course consultation with our expert team. We’ll help you review your current cocktail programme, develop custom signature serves, and optimise your menu for creativity, consistency, and cost-efficiency.
  • Cocktail GP Calculator
    A powerful costing tool to help you price and design profitable drinks.
  • Mixology Programme Booklet
    Packed with flavour theory, homemade recipes, and methodology to support your learning long after the course ends.

399

  • Currently working in the Irish hospitality industry? Register for subsidy here

    Need Accommodation? Click here.

    *Attendee full name

Our students reviews

Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
So I just finished the 2 day introduction to cocktail making course.The Dublin Bar Academy was great and it's a really great space.You feel right at home when you get there and Gary kept the course as informative and yet fun as possible.He's full of Wisdom but of course somebody with a good personality and good sense of humour is what keeps things light interesting and fun rather than heavy and draining.I learned a lot...Can't say I have a natural talent for this but I come from a background of absolutely no hands on experience prior although I'm sure work ethic could do wonders after learning the foundations the course gave us and the process aswell as a book with all the classics you need to know many of which can be modified to make many more of course.Great course,Great place and Great people.No reason to give any less than 5 stars ⭐️
Posted on Google
ross quinn profile picture
ross quinn
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
An amazing experience, Been in hospitality industry the past 25 years.. It felt I needed a refresher specifically behind the bar. It’s more than learn how to shake a cocktail. Is the full experience, from how to price a cocktail to maximise margin, to the creative process, bar set up and closing procedures. Four days of intensive learning, skill upgrading technics, practical tips, issue solving, upscaling, empowerment and confidence building. You don’t just learn how to create a drink, but you learn how to make the drinks 500+ times per night consistently. The knowledge, experience, industry insights and creativity from the lecturers is exceptional. A benefit anyone in the industry, from management, to trainees. Anyone that may be required to jump in the bar at some stage.
Posted on Google
Alfredo Tobeña profile picture
Alfredo Tobeña
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Such a fun experience with lots of learning.
Posted on Google
Liam Okeeffe profile picture
Liam Okeeffe
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Just completed the 2 day cocktail & mixology course and I can’t rate it highly enough. Delivered by the excellent Gary, both the facilities and the training were excellent. Very enjoyable and learnt loads. Highly recommend.
Posted on Google
Fergus Roche profile picture
Fergus Roche
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I came specifically from Basel, Switzerland to make a two week bartending course. And my expectations were genuinely exceeded. Gary and Tom shared with excellent knowledge about hospitality industry whole over the world. I felt that they were cheering for us to find the best jobs we could have. We had a chance to practice at a real industry night event! There was even an excellent wine lecture from one of the best European sommelier. l will definitely come back next year for a four day course to go next level in my bartender career. Best of luck to new students! You can do this!🫶🏻
Posted on Google
Kateryna Debkaliuk profile picture
Kateryna Debkaliuk
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Last night, my co-workers and I had our cocktail masterclass with Gary Kelly at Dublin Bar Academy. Not only did we learn a lot and had great drinks but we also had great fun! I strongly recommend everyone to give it a try, you'll enjoy every minute of this experience. Thanks for everything, Gary!
Posted on Google
Silvana Solonezki profile picture
Silvana Solonezki
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Went here for a work event and we had so much fun! The drinks were tasty and Gary was a great host :) we learned a lot.
Posted on Google
Charlotte C profile picture
Charlotte C
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Very friendly staff with great knowledge of the cocktails and their history. The whole team thoroughly enjoyed the event especially the cocktail making competition at the end. Gary and Victor were both excellent in hosting this event and we would highly recommend to any company looking for a team building/bonding exercise. We got good feedback all round from everyone that attended. Thanks again Dublin Bar Academy!
Posted on Google
Lauren Thornton profile picture
Lauren Thornton
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Highly recommend the 2 day cocktail course for anyone looking to up their cocktail making skills. It was a very enjoyable and interesting experience ran by the goat himself Gary Kelly!
Posted on Google
Dylan Brady profile picture
Dylan Brady

Who Is It For?

Bar Owners and Managers Developing or Refreshing a Cocktail Menu
Bartenders Aiming to Build Creative Confidence and Technical Skill
Hospitality Teams Seeking to Align Drinks, Branding, and Profitability

What You’ll Learn

Homemade Products

Master the full range of house-made cocktail components:

  • Syrups, cordials, sherbets, shrubs, oleo
  • Tinctures, infusions, solutions, and liqueurs
Twisting the Classics

Learn to transform well-known recipes into signature serves by adjusting flavour, technique, and presentation while maintaining structure and balance.

Signature Cocktail Creation

Work through the creative process of developing original drinks from scratch — guided by flavour theory, customer experience, and profitability.

Modern Garnishing Techniques
  • Edible paint, fruit leather, pickling, zests & twists
  • Dehydrated garnishes, edible perfume, and ice infusions
Bar Operations & Efficiency
  • Product sourcing, inventory control & sustainable practices
  • Waste reduction and shelf-life management
  • Pre-batching, mise en place, and smart prep strategy

Top 3 Benefits

1
Tailored Cocktail Consultation
Work with industry experts to craft a unique, profitable cocktail menu that fits your venue's identity and customer base.
2
Exclusive GP Calculator Tool
Gain access to our Cocktail GP Calculator to easily cost drinks, manage margins, and boost your bar’s profitability.
3
Mixology Recipe Booklet
Take home a comprehensive guide packed with advanced techniques, homemade ingredients, and creative cocktail inspiration.

Course Modules

Bar Operations

Bar Cocktail Operations

Bar cocktail operations refer to the systematic management and execution of all activities related to serving cocktails in a bar or similar establishment. This encompasses a wide range of tasks and considerations aimed at ensuring efficient service, maintaining quality standards, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Mise en Place: Setting the Stage

Mise en place, or “putting in place,” is a crucial concept in both culinary and bar settings. It involves preparing and organizing all the necessary ingredients and tools before service begins, ensuring efficiency and consistency in cocktail making.

Bar Stock Management and Rotation: Ensuring Optimal Inventory Rotation

Effective stock management and rotation are essential to maintain the quality and freshness of bar ingredients, reduce waste, and ensure smooth operations.

Bar Product Shelf Life: Maximizing Quality and Freshness

Maintaining the quality and freshness of bar products is key to delivering high-quality cocktails. Proper storage and handling techniques can significantly extend the shelf life of ingredients.

Bar Waste Management & Sustainable Practices

Adopting sustainable practices and effective waste management is essential for reducing the environmental impact of bar operations. This involves minimizing waste, recycling, and using eco-friendly materials.

Fresh Ingredients: Extending Shelf Life and Ensuring Optimal Flavor

Fresh ingredients are key to making flavorful cocktails. Proper storage and handling can extend their shelf life and maintain their quality, ensuring every cocktail tastes its best.

Mixology

Timeless and Contemporary Classics: Exploring Iconic and Modern Cocktails

Cocktails have long been a central element of social culture and culinary art. This exploration delves into the world of timeless and contemporary classics, highlighting the influence these iconic and modern drinks have had on mixology. The journey through these cocktails includes understanding their historical significance, recipes, and the techniques that have been perfected over time.

The Symphony of Primary Flavors in Mixology

In the art of mixology, crafting a perfect cocktail is akin to composing a symphony. Each ingredient, like a musical note, contributes to the overall harmony, creating a sensory experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. At the heart of this orchestration are the primary flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. Understanding these foundational elements is essential for any mixologist aiming to create balanced and memorable drinks.

Mixology - Homemade Products Definitions and Methods

Homemade cocktail products refer to ingredients and mixers crafted at home to enhance the flavor, quality, and uniqueness of cocktails. From syrups and bitters to infused spirits and garnishes, these homemade elements elevate the cocktail experience, offering customization and creativity beyond commercial offerings.

Product Creation & Design - Understanding Flavor and Flavor Combinations

Creating homemade products involves a sophisticated understanding of flavor and flavor combinations. This process is essential for crafting innovative foods that delight the palate and elevate the culinary experience. By mastering the principles of flavor balance and synergy, home cooks and food artisans can create products that are both harmonious and exciting.

Elevated Classics and Creative Twists: Reinventing Timeless Favorites

The culinary world is continually evolving, with chefs and home cooks alike seeking to breathe new life into traditional dishes. “Elevated Classics and Creative Twists: Reinventing Timeless Favorites” explores the art of taking beloved classic recipes and reimagining them with innovative techniques, modern ingredients, and contemporary presentation. This approach not only honors the rich history and comfort of these dishes but also introduces exciting new dimensions that appeal to today’s palates.

Enhanced Garnishes: Elevating Cocktail Presentations

Garnishes play a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal, aroma, and flavor complexity of cocktails. From classic twists of citrus to innovative, edible creations, garnishes can transform a drink from ordinary to extraordinary. Emphasizing enhanced garnishes not only elevates the overall presentation of cocktails but also adds a distinctive touch that can set your establishment apart in the competitive hospitality industry.

Crafting Cocktails: Unleashing Creativity

Creativity is central to mixology, where innovation and artistic expression come together. Bartenders are encouraged to push their creative limits, fostering a culture of experimentation and authenticity. This leads to the creation of unique cocktails that reflect the bartender’s style and appeal to customers looking for memorable drinks. This approach not only raises the bar for bartending but also enhances the atmosphere of any establishment dedicated to providing exceptional sensory experiences for its guests.

Custom Cocktail Menu Consultation for Your Establishment

Creating a custom cocktail menu for your establishment is a strategic way to elevate the customer experience, showcase creativity, and differentiate your bar or restaurant. A tailored cocktail menu not only reflects the personality and theme of your establishment but also enhances profitability and customer satisfaction. Professional consultation for crafting such a menu involves a comprehensive approach to blend innovation, market trends, and operational feasibility.

Our Story

A genuine demand for higher standards in training and education

The Dublin Bar Academy was set up in 2012 to give young and aspiring bartenders the training they need to step behind any bar in the world with confidence. Since then we trained and brought thousands of students to become masters of their craft and brought knowledge to thousands of lovers of beverage.

We look forward to continuing the journey with thousands of students to come to Dublin Bar Academy. We look forward to welcoming you to our family and the journey of flavour.

INSPIRING THE BARTENDERS OF TODAY
EDUCATING THE bARTENDERS OF tOMORROW

EMBARK ON YOUR JOURNEY OF FLAVOUR

In a city renowned for their bars,
we provide an education in drinks excellence.

141 North King Street
Dublin 7, Ireland

+353 (0) 1 561 7799
[email protected]