The classic American inspired diner, famous for its busy décor and red & white stripes has started hosting cocktail masterclasses. As the inventors of the Long Island Iced Tea cocktail, we’d say they’re definitely qualified to show us the ropes. Our team headed to the centre of Newcastle to have a shake at cocktail making with a Friday’s twist.
Bars and Stripes
As soon as we entered the restaurant we were met with a long bar, all-American décor and that Friday feeling atmosphere with music filling the huge venue. sat at a table that was right next to the bar for easy access to the wide selection of premium booze on display. Once sat down, our host introduced themselves and went through how the evening would flow. We then all received a welcome drink of our choice. Friday’s menu have loads of staple cocktails that were sufficiently strong.
Cheers from Team LNOF
After the first drink it was on to the cocktail making part of the masterclass. We each chose one cocktail from Friday’s menu to make for ourselves. People who chose the same cocktail were grouped together and brought to the bar. Fridays usually run the masterclasses at your table, but Newcastle’s bar was immense, so it just made sense to have a go behind the bar. The professional bartender walked us through each stage of the process. Measuring; shaking; stirring; garnishing to make the perfect concoction for our taste buds. One of the options was a Pink Punk Cosmo; Adam, Paul, Christie and Katie made this sweet cocktail which included candyfloss as a garnish! A delicious twist on the popular classic Cosmo.
The team getting stuck into their cocktail creations
While sipping on our self-made delicious cocktails we donned balloon hats and played some games that were provided on the table. There was wheel of fortune and headband basketball to name a few. It was like a kid’s birthday but for adults and of course with booze. Platters of nibbles to share between two then arrived at the table. Delivered on impressive towers, the food was just a delicious as the cocktails. The Harlem sharer, the Rockefeller sharer or the Central Park sharer (which is their vegan option) all included true American bite sized snacks. wings, mozzarella dippers and honey chicken were absolute highlights!
Spin. That. WHEEL!
Once again, we chose from the menu for another cocktail to make. But after two quite strong drinks already, most of us were tipsy by this point. So, we thought the professionals would be better suited to make our third and final drink. They were probably way nicer than if we tried to make them ourselves. They’re called professionals for a reason.
Teetering tower of treats
While finishing off our food, we chose from the menu for another cocktail to make. But after two quite strong drinks already, most of us were decently tipsy at this point. So, we thought the professionals would be better suited to make our third and final drink. They were probably way nicer than if we tried to make them ourselves. They’re called professionals for a reason. For our non-drinkers, they got to make and try Fridays’ mocktails. These were just as delicious as the alcoholic versions. We were never with an empty glass the whole night thanks to the lovely hosts keeping on top of our drinks.
A few cocktails in
After our food, we all tried our hand at a free pour challenge. The bartender shouted out a measurement and we had to pour to what we think that would be, by eye alone. Paul was pretty good at this and won the challenge! The rest of us, not so much. A special mention to Ashleigh’s measurements, they were way off and a little concerning. We were glad she wasn’t our bartender; she would have killed us with her drinks.
Pour baby pour!
To finish off the night we all had a shot of blue lagoon, not that some of us needed it after 3 cocktails!
We expect this to become a very popular hen do activity. For more Newcastle hen ideas, head to our Newcastle Hen Activities page.