Team during a corporate cocktail masterclass in Manchester, having fun while learning mixology techniques

November 23, 2025 Dirextra Ltd

From Office to Bar: The Christmas Cocktail Experience Your Team Will Actually Enjoy

Planning a Christmas staff party that everyone genuinely enjoys is harder than it seems. Too often events feel forced, repetitive or disconnected from what people really want: a moment to relax, bond and have fun in an authentic setting.

A Cocktail Masterclass changes everything. It transforms a standard office celebration into a hands-on, memorable experience where your team creates their own drinks inside a real working bar — guided by professional mixologists.

In this article, we explain how the experience works, why it’s ideal for companies in Manchester, and how to make the most of it for your 2025 Christmas staff party.

What Happens During a Christmas Cocktail Masterclass

A Christmas masterclass is structured to keep the energy high and participation natural — without awkward moments. A typical session includes:

Welcome drink crafted by your instructor
Overview of real mixology techniques
Creation of two or three cocktails using professional tools
Hands-on shaking, stirring, muddling and garnishing
Optional team competition
Group toast finale to close the experience

If you want to understand what truly makes a class effective, you can read our dedicated article on this topic:

👉 What Makes a Great Cocktail Masterclass?

Why Companies Prefer Dirextra for Their Christmas Event

Teams do not just attend a class — they step behind the bar. This creates a unique, authentic atmosphere that elevates the experience far beyond a typical workshop.

What makes Dirextra different

Real bar environment, not a staged classroom
International mixologists with industry experience
Highly practical, minimal theory
Customisable cocktail menu
Central Manchester location
Packages suitable for any corporate budget

If you’re interested in organising a class at home or in the office, you’ll find useful tips here:

👉 How to Host a Cocktail Class at Home (Like a Pro)

To explore the culture behind Italy’s most iconic cocktail, you can also read:

👉 The Art of the Negroni: From Italy to Manchester

Add a Sicilian Touch to Your Corporate Celebration

Thanks to our collaboration with Sicilian NQ, you can complete your Christmas event combining cocktails with authentic Sicilian food. Options include:

Arancini
Bruschette
Parmigiana
Antipasti siciliani

Food pairing principles follow international tasting standards, come quelli del Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET):

Why a Cocktail Masterclass Works Better Than a Traditional Christmas Party

A corporate Christmas party can be difficult to plan because teams have different personalities, expectations and comfort levels. A cocktail masterclass naturally solves these challenges:

Everyone participates without pressure
It works equally well for introverts and extroverts
It offers structure, so the event never feels chaotic
People learn a real skill they can re-use
It becomes a shared memory, not just another night out

Ricerche pubblicate da Harvard Business Review mostrano come le attività pratiche condivise aumentino significativamente la coesione del team, molto più dei classici eventi passivi:

👉 Harvard Business Review

Se vuoi scoprire come organizzare un evento aziendale completo, uscirà presto la nostra guida dedicata:

👉 How to Plan a Memorable Team-Building Event with Cocktails in Manchester