Kansas City: Cocktail Class at Tom’s Town with Spirits Tasting

Summary

Cocktail making in kansas city with tom’s town bartenders and tasting their signature spirits

You’ll step behind the bar at Tom’s Town in Kansas City for a cocktail class where you’ll shake, stir, taste their signature spirits, and snack on cheese with local guides who know their stuff. Expect hands-on mixing (with some laughs), stories from Prohibition days, and a few new tricks to bring home—plus three seasonal cocktails you actually make yourself.

What’s the experience like?

We walked into Tom’s Town just before six — I’d never seen a bar look so much like a science lab, all those little bottles and copper tools lined up. Our “professor” (really just one of the bartenders, but he wore it well) handed me a shaker and grinned, “You’ll get the hang of it.” The air smelled like orange peel and something sharp I couldn’t place. There were maybe ten of us, all strangers at first, but it didn’t stay that way for long.

I was nervous about shaking my first cocktail — my hands actually slipped on the metal shaker because I overfilled it (rookie mistake). Li, our guide, showed me how to fix it without making a mess. She told this story about Kansas City during Prohibition, and honestly I only caught half of it because I was too busy trying not to spill gin everywhere. But her laugh made everyone relax. We tasted each spirit as we went — bourbon first (sweet and kind of smoky), then gin (like walking past a pine tree after rain), then vodka. The cheese plate came out halfway through; I grabbed more than my share of cheddar before anyone noticed.

The difference between shaking and stirring? I thought it was just for show, but apparently there’s science to it. My stirred drink looked almost too pretty to touch — clear as glass — while my shaken one had this frothy cap that made me feel like I’d done something right. Someone asked about building an at-home bar and suddenly we were all swapping tips about ice trays and bitters brands. It felt less like a class and more like hanging out in someone’s kitchen.

By the end, we’d made three cocktails each (my favorite had rosemary in it — who knew?) and nobody wanted to leave yet. Walking out into the Kansas City night with new friends and that last taste of citrus still on my tongue… yeah, I still think about that part sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Attend Pendergast Cocktail College class

• Arrive at Tom's Town
• Join 90-minute cocktail class
• Learn bourbon, gin, vodka cocktails
• Mix three seasonal cocktails
• Explore bar skills and history
• Enjoy cheese board with drinks

Top questions

What time do the cocktail classes start at Tom's Town?

The classes begin every Wednesday at 6:00 PM.

How long does each Pendergast Cocktail College session last?

Each session runs for 90 minutes.

Are drinks included in the cocktail class?

Yes, you’ll make and enjoy three cocktails during the class.

Is food provided during the cocktail class?

A small meat and cheese plate is included with your booking.

Are the cocktail classes wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible at Tom's Town.

Can children or infants attend the cocktail class?

Infants and small children can be present if accompanied by an adult but alcohol is only served to those 21+.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Tom's Town.

Who leads the cocktail classes at Tom's Town?

The sessions are led by Tom’s Town bartenders and resident experts.

What’s included

Your evening includes a hands-on cocktail class led by expert bartenders at Tom’s Town in Kansas City, where you’ll mix three seasonal drinks using house bourbon, gin, and vodka. You’ll also enjoy a small meat and cheese plate alongside your crafted cocktails before heading back out into the city night.