Learn to shake, stir and sip at Coal & Cedar’s cocktail masterclasses
If a cocktail-filled afternoon at Coal & Cedar sounds tempting, there’s an even bigger reason to get involved.
Coal & Cedar is giving one lucky group of four the chance to enjoy one of its Masterclass Experiences, a bar tab so you can linger a little longer, and a night at QT Newcastle – so there’s no need to worry about getting home.
The Coal & Cedar Masterclass Prize
→ A Coal & Cedar cocktail experience for four people
→ 1 x night’s accommodation at QT Newcastle (2 x double rooms)
→ A $150 voucher to spend at Coal and Cedar
TO ENTER:
→ Head to either the HUNTERhunter Instagram, or Facebook and tag your three Masterclass friends
→ Competition opens Wednesday 16th September, 2026
→ Competition closes Sunday 27th September, 2026
→ Winner notified via Instagram DM on Monday 28th September, 2026
*This is an 18+ competition.
*Please be aware of scammers and fake accounts. We will never ask you for your credit card details.
Since 2014, the team behind Coal & Cedar’s secret entrance have been serving some of Newcastle’s best drinks, backed by genuine hospitality and a spirits menu that will impress even the most dedicated drinkers.
While you could simply pull up a stool and let the bartenders do the hard work, Coal & Cedar also gives you the chance to step behind the bar. Its cocktail and whisky masterclasses offer a hands-on introduction to shaking, stirring and, most importantly, drinking your own creations.
Get behind the bar with a cocktail masterclass
Running for an hour, the cocktail masterclass is designed to be as much about having a good time as it is learning the basics.
Kicking off with a beer or glass of sparkling wine before getting stuck into three cocktails, the class covers everything from free pouring and shaking to presentation.
And these aren’t the fluorescent, syrup-heavy cocktails you might remember from the 1980s. Think Negronis, Amaretto Sours and Classic Daiquiris.
Rather than watching a bartender do all the work while you nod along, you’ll actually be mixing, shaking and tasting your way through the drinks. There’s also a little room for creativity.
As part of the masterclass, you’ll get the chance to create your own signature cocktail – and you’ll want to make it a good one, with the session wrapping up in a competition to see whose creation comes out on top.
Once the shaking is done, the group can settle in with shared antipasto platters and an apple hooch to finish things off.
Swap cocktails for whisky
If cocktails aren’t quite your thing, Coal & Cedar also runs whisky masterclasses.
The session takes you through five different whiskies, exploring their history and distillation processes before moving into the important part: tasting them.
It’s a chance to get a little more familiar with what’s in the glass, whether you’re already a whisky enthusiast or someone who still isn’t entirely sure what you’re supposed to be looking for.
Like the cocktail sessions, the whisky masterclass finishes with shared antipasto platters, giving you an excuse to stick around the bar a little longer.
The Details
Masterclasses are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 3.30pm, while Monday to Thursday sessions begin at 5pm.
Weekday cocktail classes require a minimum of five people, while whisky masterclasses require a minimum of two. And yes, you’ll need to be over 18.
For all the details head to Coal & Cedar.
Whether you’re planning a birthday, a catch-up with friends, date night, or simply looking for an excuse to learn what actually goes into the cocktails you’ve been ordering for years, it’s time to brush up on your cocktail skills and prepare to disappear down the Coal & Cedar rabbit hole.
Photo credit: @house.of.rita
