Key West: Tiki Cocktail Class & Rum Tasting on Duval St

Mix rum cocktails in Key West’s heart with real tiki stories

You’ll shake up classic tiki cocktails right in Key West’s lively center, learn surprising bits of history from local bartenders, taste rich rums, and even try lighting your own drink on fire (don’t worry — they’ll help). Expect laughter, hands-on mixing, and flavors that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided rum tasting featuring Papa’s Pilar dark rum, four different cocktails you’ll mix yourself using provided instruments (yes — you get hands-on), plus a certificate when you’re done before heading back out into Duval Street’s buzz.

Traveler reviews

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tiki cocktail class and rum tasting

• Attend tiki cocktail workshop
• Learn tiki history and culture
• Participate in rum tasting
• Make authentic tiki cocktails
• Learn to light drinks on fire

The Experience

I didn’t expect to walk out of Tiki House on Duval Street smelling faintly of burnt cinnamon and limes, but here we are. The place was already buzzing when I got there — ceiling fans spinning slow, a couple of locals waving at the bartender like old friends. Our guide (I think his name was Mike? Or maybe Mark — he joked about it) started us off with a quick story about how “tiki” isn’t even Hawaiian, which honestly surprised me. He passed around these little glasses of Papa’s Pilar dark rum and told us to actually sniff it before sipping — I caught vanilla and something almost woody, but maybe that was just the bar itself.

We each got our own shaker and muddler (mine felt sticky from the syrup — not complaining), and Mike showed us how to make a proper Mai Tai. He made lighting a drink on fire look way too easy. I tried to copy him but my flame fizzled out fast; everyone laughed, including this couple from Tampa who clearly knew what they were doing. There was this moment where the whole place went quiet except for the clink of ice and some reggae floating in from outside. It felt weirdly cozy for a cocktail class.

By the time we mixed our last drink — something old-school from the 1800s, heavy on rum and citrus — I’d lost track of which recipe belonged to which era. Someone asked about tiki mugs, and Mike went off on a tangent about collectors in Miami paying hundreds for rare ones. I still think about that first sip of Mai Tai: tart, sweet, sharp enough to wake you up after a long day in Key West heat. So yeah, if you’re looking for a tiki cocktail class in Key West that doesn’t feel like a lecture or a tourist trap, this is probably it.

Top questions

What does the Key West tiki cocktail class include?

The class includes one rum tasting and four cocktails per person, plus all mixing instruments and a certificate.

Where is the tiki cocktail class held in Key West?

The class takes place at Tiki House Key West at 203 Duval Street.

How long does the tiki cocktail workshop last?

The experience lasts about two hours.

Are food or snacks included with the cocktail class?

No food is included; it's recommended to eat before arriving.

Is the tiki cocktail class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What is the minimum age for this experience?

You must be at least 21 years old to join.

How many people are in each Key West tiki cocktail class?

A maximum of 15 people can book per session; at least 4 are needed for it to run.

What days is the tiki cocktail workshop available?

The class runs every Wednesday and Saturday.