IN SAVANNAH, visitors and locals alike are able to enjoy cocktails with a gorgeous water view or poured in a to-go cup for a stroll around the historic district.
However, in a few establishments, drinks — and some snacks — are available while patrons create lasting projects or learn new skills.
Here are a few local options:
Mixology 101
After touring some of the American Prohibition Museum’s exhibits learning about rum runners and moonshiners in the Prohibition years, visitors can sip libations in the upstairs speakeasy. While it’s nice to sample the authentic 1920’s cocktails available, there is also an opportunity to become your own mixologist.
The museum offers cocktail classes once a week, with professional bartenders instructing the steps of one shaken cocktail and one stirred, a classic sour and a Sazerac. Byrd’s cookies are served as snacks and participants get their own Congress Street Up rocks glass as a souvenir.
Museum Director Kayla Black considers the class very thorough, “The bartenders teach you everything from why functional garnishes are important, where bar tools get their names, to why that 3 year-old bottle of vermouth in your home bar makes your martinis taste bad.”
For those that want their own group, they also offer private classes for up to 20 people. Tickets are available at www.trustedtours.com. For more information call (912) 220-1249
Southbound and Sushi
Southbound Brewing Company keeps a full calendar of fun events like Pints & Poses, their yoga night with craft brews, pairings with Duck Donuts and Girl Scout cookies and trivia with local food trucks. One of their most popular events, which always seems to sell out quickly, is the Savannah Sushi Class.
Scheduled a few times every month, participants learn to make perfect sushi rice, handle raw fish, roll with confidence and leave with the recipe for all the favorite sauces. The class provides dinner as well, with a pre-made roll given out and everything made during class available to eat.
The bar is open during the class for pints, flights and pitchers and bartenders will be glad to make a recommendation based on the night’s sushi menu.
Links for ticket purchases are available on Southbound’s website, www.southboundbrewingco.com, or on their Facebook page or call (912) 355-1737.
Artist for the Night
Walking by Painting with a Twist, you can see the groups inside smiling. They are relaxed and happy to spend their night creating themed paintings with qualified instructors to help through every step of the project. The artwork is only improved by the bring your own bottle policy, and sometimes the guests get creative.
While the typical paintbrush accompaniment is a bottle of red, the owners have even seen a shot glass inside a cupcake to celebrate a birthday. Projects can range from date night paintings that fit together to create one work of art to local scenes like the Tybee Pier. Painting with a Twist hosts private parties as well and offers over 6,000 choices of paintings.
Tickets can be purchased on the Savannah studio’s website at www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/savannah/ with an example of the project for each date on the calendar.
Southern Beauty
Local natural skincare and candle company Salacia Salts had their products gifted in Swag bags at the Oscars and the Kentucky Derby, but in their Maker’s Workshop, visitors to the production facility near Forsyth Park can make their own concoctions.
Guests pick from Southern botanicals and fragrances like basil, lemon and bergamot, Atlantic sea salt, organic brown sugar, dry exfoliants like grits and pecan granules sourced from Georgia Farmers, rosemary, lavender and pumice to make a batch of personalized salt scrub.
Also BYOB, the studio provides the plates and the wine opener while guests bring what they want. The location has hosted a variety of events, from a bridal party that opted for mimosas to a group with a full table of appetizers and bottles of wine.
Classes are available for single tickets at www.salaciasalts.com and include a tour of the production facility. Groups larger than eight can email Studio Manager Jasmine Head at [email protected].
Sangria and Signs
DIY projects become a reality at this creative studio. In just a few hours, customers make trendy vintage signs from distressed, painted and stained wood. Participants reserve their chosen design ahead of time, then arrive to all the supplies needed to create — stencils for a custom graphic, paint, stain, boards, tools and wax to seal the final product.
Savannah loves their free beverages, and Board & Brush offers complimentary drinks. One of the most popular events is the Saturday Sangria party, where visitors make any sign in the gallery. Owner and Manager Cheryl McVay likes the variety: “Everybody in our studio could be making something different on a particular night. Then, they look around at what everyone else is making and get ideas.”
It’s hard to say what’s better at Board & Brush - the sangria or the power tools.
For tickets and a scrolling inspirational gallery with categories like ‘porch’, ‘pets’, ‘seasonal’ and ‘quotes’, find them online at www.boardandbrush.com/savannah/.
