About this tour
When Em from our team booked into Gold Bar Distillery's cocktail class on Treasure Island, we walked into a proper 1930s Art Deco hangar with views that stretched across the entire Bay. The setup is social and hands-on — you're making three gin cocktails from scratch, learning how botanicals work in a drink, and tasting the distillery's own Pacific House Gin alongside others. It's about 80 minutes start to finish, and the ferry ride over from the Ferry Building adds a scenic prelude that sets the mood nicely.
Highlights
- 1930s Art Deco hangar setting with unobstructed Bay and skyline views
- Made three distinct cocktails ourselves, not watched from a stool
- Pacific House Gin's bright citrus and botanical profile surprised even gin skeptics
- Hosting felt genuinely relaxed — no pretension or gatekeeping
- Quick ferry crossing from downtown makes it accessible without a car
- Eight total gins tasted across the three serves
- Learned how citrus and botanicals balance without the jargon overload
- Compact group size kept it conversational, not crowded
What to expect
You'll arrive via the scenic six-minute ferry from the Ferry Building — lean into it, it's part of the experience. The class itself is split into three rounds: pick a cocktail, get a rundown of what's going in it and why, then you're behind the bar with a shaker in hand. The instructors talk you through technique without treating you like you're studying for a degree. Em found the pacing decent — enough chat to feel educational, enough hands-on time that you're genuinely making something, not just watching.
The space itself is the real star: all exposed brick, high ceilings, and those sweeping views. By the second cocktail, the Bay gets even better during golden hour. It's the kind of class that works whether you're a gin drinker or someone who normally orders something sweeter — the focus is on balance and technique, not convincing you gin is "the best" spirit. Dress smart-casual; it's polished but not stuffy.
Good to know
This is worth doing if you like hands-on experiences and want to learn something concrete about how flavour works in a drink. It's social without being loud, and the views make it feel special without being gimmicky. Works for groups, dates, or solo visitors. Fully wheelchair accessible, and they're clear about accessibility throughout.
You're making cocktails, so the space involves some standing and moving around. Not recommended if you're pregnant or have cardiovascular concerns. Classes run only Wednesdays and Sundays, so plan ahead. You'll need ID to prove you're 21+. No private transport included, but public transit is straightforward and the ferry is part of the charm — though gratuities aren't included in the price, so factor that in.
Photo ID (required).
Four gins and three cocktails you make.
Small enough to stay intimate.
Sundays tend busier; Wednesdays are quieter if you prefer that.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.