Dublin: Roe and Co Distillery Cocktail Workshop Experience

At Roe & Co, the whiskey lesson comes with a shaker in your hand. In a one-hour visit to a working distillery inside the old Guinness Powerhouse, you learn how whiskey is made, then choose a flavor-led cocktail class or a whiskey blending workshop.

I like two things here: the hands-on workshop turns tasting into something you can use at home, and the old industrial setting gives the visit a clear sense of place in Dublin’s Liberties. The final drink in the Power House Bar is a welcome extra, too.

The main drawback is the short running time. An hour suits a busy Dublin itinerary, but it leaves little room to linger, and you must choose between two distinct workshop formats. Bring valid ID, even if you are well past 18.

At a glance

• Two ways to take part: Choose Flavours for cocktail-making guided by the five pillars of taste, or Beyond The Blend for premium whiskey tasting and blending.
• A working distillery in a former power station: Roe & Co occupies the old Guinness Powerhouse in Dublin 8.
• Your workshop is hands-on: In Flavours, you make a whiskey cocktail to suit your palate. Beyond The Blend lets you create a whiskey blend and turn it into a cocktail.
• There is a drink at the end: The visit includes a signature Roe & Co serving in the Power House Bar.
• It is a short, adults-only stop: Plan for one hour. You need valid ID, and the activity is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women.

A whiskey stop in Dublin’s Liberties

Roe & Co sits in Dublin 8, in the Liberties district, inside a former Guinness power station. That industrial setting is part of the appeal: this is not simply a tasting room dressed up to look like a distillery. The site is described as a fully operational urban distillery, and the guided visit introduces the whiskey-making process before moving into the workshop.

The location also fits neatly into a day exploring central Dublin. From Trinity College, you can walk along Dame Street toward Christ Church Cathedral, continue onto Thomas Street, and reach the distillery after about 500 meters beyond the cathedral. By bus, the 13, 40, and 123 run from O’Connell Street or Dame Street; the ride takes around 10 to 15 minutes, and the Thomas Street or Watling Street stops are across from the distillery. The nearest Luas stop is James’s on the Red Line.

This is a practical choice if you want an activity with a specific place and story, rather than a generic cocktail class. The old power station connects the visit to the neighborhood’s industrial past, while the working distillery gives the whiskey discussion a real production setting.

The tour: production before the pour

The visit begins with a guided introduction to Roe & Co and its distillery. Expect the guide to explain the production process and the range of flavors associated with Irish whiskey. The focus is not just on a finished glass. You get context for how whiskey is made and how its character can vary.

Guides help set the tone. Andrew, Luke, Isaac, Erin, Oisin, and Andy are among the people who have led sessions. Visitors describe guides who mix clear explanations with humor, answer questions, and keep the group involved. Your guide will depend on the day, of course, but this is a format that benefits from someone who can make technical details feel approachable.

The tour is compact, so it is better understood as an introduction than a full distillery deep study. If you want a long production tour with an extended look at every stage, an hour may feel brief. If you want a lively primer followed by a tasting activity, the pace is a strength.

Choose Flavours for a cocktail built around your palate

The Flavours workshop is the natural pick if cocktails interest you more than whiskey neat. It introduces the five pillars of flavor: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. You use those ideas to identify what appeals to your palate, then make a whiskey cocktail based on the flavor direction you choose.

That is more useful than simply following a recipe by rote. You get a basic framework for thinking about balance, and a chance to see how one spirit can work with different taste profiles. The workshop is designed to be interactive, and the appeal is as much in experimenting as in getting a polished drink at the end.

You do not need to arrive as a whiskey fan. Some people who are not fond of whiskey on its own find the cocktails a more inviting way to try it. If you prefer lighter spirits, the flavor-led approach may still make the class enjoyable, though the drink is built around Roe & Co whiskey.

Choose Beyond The Blend for a closer look at whiskey

Beyond The Blend takes a different route. It offers a guided exploration of Irish whiskey’s range, with tastings of three premium whiskeys and an artisan confectionery pairing. You then create your own whiskey blend and turn it into a cocktail.

This option puts more attention on the spirit itself. The tasting helps you compare different whiskey flavors, while blending gives you a practical way to see how individual components can work together. The confectionery pairing adds another point of comparison, rather than leaving the tasting as a series of pours with no context.

Choose this session if you are curious about how whiskey differs from one style to another, or if blending sounds more appealing than starting with cocktail flavors. Choose Flavours if you would rather focus on what makes a drink taste balanced. The two workshops are alternatives, not parts of one longer class, so pick the one that matches your interests.

The Power House Bar is a fitting finish

After your chosen workshop, the experience ends with a signature Roe & Co serving in the Power House Bar. That final drink gives you time to relax after the guided portion and enjoy the building’s bar setting. The workshop cocktail and the final serving make the hour feel more generous than a tour that ends as soon as the explanation does.

The bar can also be a pleasant place to stay for another drink, though additional drinks are not part of the stated inclusion. If you are planning tightly, remember that the activity itself lasts one hour, but you may want extra time if you intend to linger afterward.

Is $28 good value?

At $28 per person, the experience offers more than a short introduction to a whiskey label. You get a guided distillery visit, one of two workshops, and a Roe & Co cocktail. The workshop itself involves making a cocktail or, in Beyond The Blend, tasting three premium whiskeys, creating a blend, and making it into a cocktail. The signature drink in the bar adds another serving.

That combination makes the price appealing if you enjoy a social, participatory activity. You are paying for instruction and a structured tasting as well as the drinks, and the workshop gives you something to take away beyond a pleasant hour: a better sense of how flavor choices shape a cocktail.

Value depends on your expectations. This is not a long, detailed factory tour, and you should not book it expecting to spend several hours among the stills. It is a concise, hosted experience that links a short production introduction with a focused activity. For a quick Dublin stop, that balance works well.

Who will enjoy it most

I would put this high on the list for cocktail fans, curious whiskey drinkers, and couples or friends looking for an activity that is social without taking up half a day. It is especially handy if you want to learn something about Irish whiskey but prefer tasting it in a cocktail rather than drinking it neat.

It also works for people who like learning by doing. The Flavours session gives you a simple vocabulary for taste, while Beyond The Blend lets you compare whiskeys and make a blend. If you are traveling with someone who has a different level of whiskey interest, either format can offer an accessible entry point.

It is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. The activity requires valid identification or proof of age, so do not leave your ID at the hotel. It is wheelchair accessible, and the tour is conducted in English.

A few practical details before you go

The meeting point is Roe & Co Distillery, in the old Guinness Powerhouse. The activity ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The stated duration is one hour, with starting times depending on availability. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is eligible for a full refund. Check the available session times when planning your day, especially if you have another timed visit nearby.

Should you book Roe & Co?

Book it if you want a short Dublin activity that combines whiskey context with a drink you help make. The old Powerhouse setting, choice of two workshops, and final bar serving give the visit more substance than a simple tasting. At $28, it is good value for an hour of guided activity and drinks.

Skip it if your priority is an in-depth, lengthy distillery tour, or if neither whiskey tasting nor cocktail-making appeals to you. For most curious adults with an hour to spare, I would choose the workshop that fits your taste: Flavours for a cocktail-led session, Beyond The Blend for tasting and blending.

FAQ

How long does the Roe & Co experience last?

The activity lasts one hour. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guided tour, your choice of the Flavours or Beyond The Blend workshop, and a Roe & Co cocktail.

What is the difference between the two workshops?

Flavours explores sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami, then lets you make a whiskey cocktail based on your palate. Beyond The Blend includes three premium whiskey tastings, an artisan confectionery pairing, and the chance to create a blend and make it into a cocktail.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Roe & Co Distillery in the old Guinness Powerhouse, in Dublin 8’s Liberties district.

How can I get to the distillery?

From Trinity College, walk via Dame Street, Christ Church Cathedral, and Thomas Street. Buses 13, 40, and 123 serve the area from O’Connell Street or Dame Street. The nearest Luas stop is James’s on the Red Line.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. You must present valid ID or a proof of age card.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel or reserve without paying right away?

You can reserve now and pay later. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.