Private event · York city centre · Hen parties & groups
Cocktail making party at York Distillery
Join us for a cocktail making party in the beautiful, private surroundings of York Distillery, in the heart of York. The whole space is yours for the evening, no other groups, no sharing. This hands-on two-hour session is perfect for hen parties, birthdays, work socials and groups of friends looking for something a bit different in York. You will learn the tips and tricks of cocktail making, create and drink your own cocktails, and pick up skills you can use at home. Including a shaken cocktail and build-style drinks, it is entertaining, informative and practical. Winner of a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026. Located on Skeldergate, a short walk from Clifford’s Tower and York city centre.
Duration
2 hours
Price from
£240 Sun–Thu / £360 Fri–Sat
Group size
Up to 20 people
Venue
Private hire – exclusively yours
Age
16+ (under 18s on mocktail option)
Location
Skeldergate, YO1 6DS
What's included
Everything in your cocktail making party
- The whole venue, exclusively yours. York Distillery is private to your group for the full two hours. No other groups, no sharing.
- A welcome drink on arrival. A York Gin G&T to get things started, or swap for lemonade or an alcohol-free alternative if you prefer.
- Make and drink two premium cocktails. A shaken classic such as a Martini or Espresso Martini, plus a build-style drink such as a Collins. Our hosts guide you through each one, and yes, you drink what you make.
- Award-winning York Gin as your base spirit. All cocktails are made with York Gin, though other spirits are available. We will ask for your preference at checkout.
- Bar snacks throughout. All vegan and some gluten-free. York Distillery is a nut-free venue.
- Personalise the space. Send us your Spotify playlist and photos in advance and we will have everything set up and ready when you arrive, so the space feels like yours from the moment you walk in.
- Expert guidance throughout. Our hosts are with you for the full session, covering techniques, proportions and everything you need to make great cocktails at home.
- Mocktail option available. Guests aged 16 to 17, or anyone not drinking, can take part with a full mocktail alternative. No one needs to sit it out.
Pricing
Sunday to Thursday
£240
Minimum spend, covers up to 6 people.
Additional guests £40 each.
Friday and Saturday
£360
Minimum spend, covers up to 9 people.
Additional guests £40 each.
Maximum group size
20 people
Mocktail option £35 per person for non-drinkers and under 18s.
The experience
Cocktail making at York Distillery
York Gin cocktail making parties are fun, hands-on and some of the best things to do in York. Whether you are celebrating a hen party, birthday or work social, the whole space is yours for the afternoon or evening. No other groups, no sharing — just you, your friends and a couple of hours of cocktail making in a beautiful private venue.
You will make and drink two cocktails, enjoy a welcome G&T on arrival and pick up skills you can use at home. Our hosts are there throughout to guide you, and the space can be personalised with your own music and photos sent in advance. The feedback we receive is consistently brilliant and Friday and Saturday sessions regularly sell out months ahead.
A few things to know
Before you arrive
At York Distillery, we are all about great cocktails, good company and a genuinely brilliant time. To make sure everyone gets the most out of their experience, we have just a couple of house rules to keep in mind.
- Please arrive on time. Our party bookings are private to you but run to a schedule, so we want to make sure you do not miss a thing. If you are more than 30 minutes late, we may unfortunately have to skip one of your cocktails to keep things running smoothly, as we usually have several events running per day.
- Please arrive sober. We want you to enjoy the event, and as a licensed venue we are required by law not to serve alcohol to anyone who arrives intoxicated. Come ready to start with us from the beginning.
Follow these two simple guidelines and you are in for a wonderful time. We cannot wait to welcome you.
Finding us
How to find York Distillery
York Distillery is located in the grounds of Middleton's Hotel on Skeldergate, in its own building next to the hotel gym. The entrance for visitors is on Skeldergate itself. We are right in the heart of York, a short walk from Clifford's Tower, the River Ouse and the city centre, which makes us easy to reach on foot from most parts of the city.
Address
Skeldergate
York
YO1 6DS
Nearest landmark
Clifford's Tower, 5 min walk
Getting here
We are very central. Walking is recommended from most of York.
Parking
Middleton's Hotel guests can park on site and receive a discount. Public car parks at St George's Field and Nunnery Lane are both around 5 min walk.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does the cocktail making party last?
The session lasts two hours.
How much does the cocktail making party cost?
Pricing is based on a minimum spend which varies by day. Sunday to Thursday the minimum is £240, which covers up to 6 people. Friday and Saturday the minimum is £360, which covers up to 9 people. Additional guests are £40 each. The mocktail option for non-drinkers and under 18s is £35 per person. Maximum group size is 20 people.
Is the venue private to our group?
Yes. York Distillery is exclusively yours for the full two hours. There are no other groups sharing the space.
Is the cocktail making party suitable for hen parties?
Yes, it is one of our most popular hen party activities in York. The private venue, personalised space and relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for celebrating. Friday and Saturday sessions book up months in advance and we regularly run a waitlist, so book as early as you can. A deposit secures your date, with the balance due two weeks before your party.
Can I personalise the event?
Yes. Send us your Spotify playlist and photos in advance and we will have everything set up and ready when you arrive.
What age do you have to be to attend?
Guests must be 16 or over. Those aged 16 and 17 can attend on the mocktail option and cannot be served alcohol.
Can non-drinkers attend?
Yes. We offer a full mocktail option at £35 per person so no one needs to sit it out. Select this when booking.
Can I buy the cocktail party as a gift?
We offer gift cards which are cash equivalent and can be spent on any event at York Distillery, including the cocktail making party. Available via our gift certificates page.
What are the nibbles? Any dietary information?
York Distillery is a nut-free venue. The bar snacks served during the session are all vegan and some are gluten-free. We ask for any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, we are dog-friendly. Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome at York Distillery.
Is there parking at York Distillery?
On-site parking is available for guests of Middleton's Hotel, who also receive a discount on events. If you have accessibility requirements and need to park on site, please mention this when booking and we will do our best to help. For everyone else, the nearest public car parks are Nunnery Lane and St George's Field, both around five minutes on foot. We are right in the heart of York so walking or public transport is recommended.
Is York Distillery affected by flooding?
We are close to the River Ouse, and York has flooded since mediaeval times — it is part of the city's character. York Distillery itself does not flood, and if there were ever any concern about a session going ahead, we would contact you in advance. Please do not let this put you off booking. York and its residents are very used to it.
Is the venue accessible for wheelchair users?
Unfortunately our venue has steps and is not fully accessible for all visitors. If you have a vehicle and specific accessibility requirements, parking at Middleton's Hotel can usually be arranged. Please mention this when booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Where is York Distillery? How do I find you?
We are located in the grounds of Middleton's Hotel on Skeldergate, York YO1 6DS. The visitor entrance is on Skeldergate itself, a short walk from Clifford's Tower and York city centre.
What our guests say
Reviews from TripAdvisor and Google
★★★★★
"The two hour cocktail making class was very well organised and excellent value for money. We were a group of 12 girls and had an amazing time. There was plenty of time to make and drink the cocktails and snacks were provided throughout. There was a personalised welcome screen as we arrived. Thank you so much for making our experience so memorable."
★★★★★
"What a fantastic afternoon we had at York Distillery for our group cocktail making class. The venue is beautiful and really well laid out, we had it to ourselves and the two ladies were wonderfully welcoming. The communication up to the day was great — they helped us personalise the space for our beautiful bride to be. The cocktails were fabulous and really good value for money too. I would highly recommend."
Check availability
Choose your date and book online
Friday and Saturday sessions book up months in advance. If you cannot find a date that works, get in touch and we will let you know about cancellations and waitlist availability.
Book your partyAbout York Distillery
Award-winning gin, made right here in York
York Distillery has been crafting award-winning, sustainable gin in the City of York since 2018. Our distillery sits in the grounds of Middleton's Hotel on Skeldergate, in its own dedicated building just a short walk from the city centre and Clifford's Tower. When you come for a tasting, you can see the stills in which some of our gins are made.
Our gins have been recognised at international spirits competitions including the New York Spirits Competition, where our London Dry took gold. We take sustainability seriously too, working to reduce our environmental impact at every stage of production.
Larger groups & special requests
Book a cocktail party or private event at York Distillery
Our cocktail making parties are perfect for groups of friends, with lots of dates to choose from. We also have options for private hire, parties and events. York Distillery is a lovely event space for your private party.
See our event space optionsMake an enquiry
Experiences & Gift Vouchers at York Distillery