Raise a Glass: Holiday Cocktail Workshops at Nightcap
Looking for a more memorable way to celebrate the holiday season in San Luis Obispo?
The Art of the Nightcap returns to Nightcap at Granada Hotel & Bistro with four cocktail workshops designed for holiday hosting, winter gatherings, and festive nights in.
Led by our expert bar team, each workshop offers a hands-on look at the craft behind a great cocktail, with guided demonstrations and opportunities to shake, stir, taste, and learn along the way. Explore smoke and aromas, master batched cocktails for holiday entertaining, discover the techniques behind warm and spirit-forward Après cocktails, or learn how to build the perfect sparkling drink with Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco.
Part cocktail class, part happy hour, and designed for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned cocktail enthusiasts, each experience includes sips and snacks throughout.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your home bartending skills, find a unique holiday activity in San Luis Obispo, or simply spend an evening at the bar, The Art of the Nightcap is a fitting way to raise a glass this season.
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A lesson in practical magic. In this workshop, explore the relationship between aroma and flavor, what makes certain spirits particularly well suited to smoke, and how to build depth and balance. By the end, you’ll be ready to recreate the effect at your home bar, a fitting party trick for October nights.
October 21st | 5-6pm | $65 per person
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How to set the bar for holiday entertaining with batched cocktails. From proportions and dilution to prep and presentation, this workshop covers large-format drinks that are every bit as good as one made to order. So by the time the party begins, your bartending shift ends.
November 25th | 5-6pm | $65 per person
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The best part of a cold winter’s day is what comes after. In this workshop, learn what happens when cocktail hour heats up — how temperature releases aroma, how homemade syrups are used to layer sweetness and spice, and how to master dilution without ice.
December 16th | 5-6pm | $65 per person
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For celebrations that call for something sparkling, with a little more spirit. In this workshop, learn how bubbles change a cocktail, when to reach for Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco, how to build around their acidity and sweetness, and how to preserve the fizz from first pour to final sip. Just in time for one last toast to 2026.
December 30th | 5-6pm | $65 per person
