Bar hopping Tour & Poncha Workshop – Funchal

Funchal’s bar culture makes more sense after you taste it one glass at a time. This six-stop walking tour links Madeira wine, local beer, ginja, Nikita, and Poncha in a three-hour introduction to the island’s drinking traditions.

I like the mix of drinks and settings, especially the chance to try three artisanal beers rather than one standard lager. I also like the order of the tastings: wine first, then beer, liqueurs, Madeira wine, Nikita, and finally Poncha.

The main caution is the Poncha workshop. The experience promises a hands-on lesson, but one booking account says the group tasted Poncha without actually making it. If mixing your own drink is the main reason you are booking, confirm that point before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Six central Funchal stops: The route brings together a winery, local bars, and several traditional Madeiran drinks.
• Three artisanal beers: You taste a varied selection made with local ingredients, rather than a single sample.
• Ginja in a chocolate cup: This sweet-sour cherry liqueur comes in an edible serving cup.
• Two kinds of Madeira wine: You try a white still wine and a fortified Madeira wine, useful for comparing local styles.
• Nikita and Poncha: One is creamy and sweet, the other is Madeira’s famous citrus and sugar cane drink.
• A social evening start: Meeting at 4:15 p.m. gives you an afternoon-to-evening introduction to Funchal’s bars.

Six stops that tell Funchal’s drink story

This is not simply a crawl from one noisy bar to the next. The route uses six stops to show how Madeira drinks range from polished winery pours to sweet liqueurs and simple bar-made cocktails.

You meet at the entrance to Blandy’s Wine Lodges on Avenida Arriaga at 4:15 p.m. The tour begins at 4:30 p.m., so arriving early matters. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, with no transport needed between the start and finish.

The English-speaking guide leads the group through the historic streets of central Funchal. Matt is named as one guide who has led the experience, and his approach is described as friendly, open, and helpful. The guide is important here because the drinks alone would not explain how they fit into Madeiran life.

The tour lasts about three hours. That gives you enough time to try each drink without turning every stop into a rushed sample, though the exact pace can vary with the group and the bars.

Blandy’s Wine Lodges and a white Madeiran wine

The first stop is a well-known Funchal winery, where you taste a locally produced white still wine. This is a sensible starting point. A white table wine gives you a clean introduction to Madeira before the stronger flavors arrive.

Madeira is often associated with fortified wine, but still wine is part of the island’s modern wine scene too. The first pour helps you notice the difference between a regular local wine and the fortified styles served later.

I like beginning with a winery rather than ending there. Your palate is fresher, and you can ask the guide questions before the tour gets into sweeter or stronger drinks. The drawback is that this stop appears to offer one white wine, not a broad winery tasting, so wine collectors should keep their expectations in check.

Three artisanal beers with different local flavors

Next comes a local bar serving three artisanal beers. Each is made with local ingredients and has its own flavor profile. The available information does not name the breweries or specific beer styles, so do not book this expecting a precise IPA, stout, or lager flight.

Still, three different brews make this more useful than a token beer sample. You can compare the character of small-scale Madeiran brewing and see how local ingredients affect the drinks. For visitors who think Madeira is only about wine and Poncha, this stop adds a welcome change.

This is also one of the more social parts of the evening. Beer is familiar, easy to discuss, and usually less demanding than fortified wine or liqueur. If you are new to local drinks, it gives you a comfortable pause before the sweeter tastings.

Food is not included, and no meal is promised during the tour. If beer makes you hungry, eat beforehand or plan a meal after the tour rather than assuming snacks will appear at the bars.

Ginja in an edible chocolate cup

The ginja stop brings a small but memorable Portuguese tradition. Ginja, also called ginjinha, is a liqueur made with sour cherries, alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients.

Here, it is served in a chocolate cup. You drink the cherry liqueur and can then eat the cup, which turns a familiar digestif into a playful tasting. The chocolate adds sweetness, so this sample is less about judging the liqueur on its own and more about enjoying the combination.

Ginja is found across Portugal, but including it here broadens the tour beyond drinks made only in Madeira. You get a taste of Portuguese bar culture as well as island specialties.

This is a small serving, but it can be stronger and sweeter than the wine and beer earlier in the route. Take your time. The tour includes several alcoholic drinks in a short period, and the chocolate cup can make the experience feel lighter than it is.

Madeira wine and the island’s long-lived style

The next tasting focuses on Madeira wine. This fortified wine is known for its long life, complex flavors, and ability to work with both sweet and savory foods.

For a first-time visitor, the useful point is not simply that Madeira wine is famous. It is that the category includes several styles and flavor directions. You may find notes that seem nutty, caramel-like, smoky, or gently sweet, depending on the wine poured.

The tasting gives you a chance to compare fortified Madeira wine with the still white wine from the opening stop. That contrast is one of the best reasons to book the whole route. You are not just collecting drinks. You are seeing how one island produces wines with very different personalities.

The experience does not specify the number of Madeira wines or the labels served. If you are hoping to sample several varieties, ask the operator before booking. For most people, one guided Madeira wine tasting is enough to decide which bottles to seek out during the rest of a Funchal stay.

The creamy Nikita cocktail

The Nikita is one of Madeira’s signature cocktails. It combines beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit, creating a drink that is creamy, sweet, and unlike a standard beer cocktail.

This is the tour’s most unexpected pour. The ingredients sound odd until you taste them together. It is closer to a dessert drink than a crisp pint, and that makes it a good marker of Madeira’s relaxed bar culture.

You should expect sweetness rather than a strong hop flavor. If you prefer dry drinks, this may not be your favorite stop. If you enjoy unusual local specialties, it is one of the drinks you are least likely to recreate by accident at home.

The Nikita is served in a cozy bar setting, according to the activity details. That matters because the drink is best understood as a local social favorite, not as a technical cocktail lesson. You are there to taste a Funchal classic and hear the story around it.

Poncha, Madeira’s famous final drink

The evening ends with traditional Poncha. This Madeiran drink is generally associated with sugar cane spirit, citrus, and sugar, though the exact recipe can vary.

The advertised workshop is meant to teach you how to make it, followed by a tasting. That could be the most useful part of the experience if the guide lets you take part in mixing the ingredients. You would leave with more than a sample and could try to make the drink again at home.

But this is where you need to pay close attention. One booking account describes a friendly guide and an enjoyable bar tour, yet says the promised workshop did not involve making Poncha. The group tasted the listed drinks, but the participant expected a hands-on session and felt the title overstated what was delivered.

That does not make the tour a poor choice for a bar-focused evening. It does mean you should ask directly: will I mix my own Poncha, or will I only watch and taste it? The answer may depend on the guide, venue, or format on your date.

Is $91 a fair price?

At $91 per person, this is not a cheap night of drinks. The price includes an English-speaking guide, six stops, three artisanal beers, white still wine, Madeira wine, ginja in a chocolate cup, Nikita, and Poncha.

The value depends on how you would otherwise explore Funchal. If you would buy each drink separately, wander between bars, and pay for a taxi or lose time finding the right places, the guided route can make sense. You are paying for the tastings, the route, and the local context.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a few drinks in a bar. Funchal has places where you can order Poncha or Madeira wine on your own, and the tour does not include food or unlisted drinks. Its value rises when you care about trying several local specialties in one organized evening.

The Poncha workshop also affects the calculation. A genuine hands-on lesson would give the tour a stronger point of difference. If it turns out to be only a tasting, the experience becomes a guided bar tour with a broad drink package. That can still be enjoyable, but the price may feel high if the workshop is your priority.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend this for adults who want a structured introduction to Funchal’s drink culture. It suits first-time visitors who would rather follow a local guide than research six stops on their own.

It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy trying unusual drinks. The range keeps the evening from becoming repetitive. You move from wine to beer, then liqueur, fortified wine, cocktail, and Poncha.

This is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. The activity also lists people over 95 as unsuitable, so check the age rules carefully before booking.

You should reconsider it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike sweet drinks, or want a full meal with your tasting. Several stops involve drinks with very different strengths and sugar levels, so pacing yourself is sensible.

Timing, meeting point, and practical tips

Meet at the entrance to Blandy’s Wine Lodges, Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal. Attendance is required 15 minutes before the 4:30 p.m. start, which means arriving at 4:15 p.m.

The tour returns to the original meeting point. Transportation to and from that location is not included, so arrange your own way there and back.

The activity is offered in English with a live guide. Check the exact start time when booking, since availability can affect the schedule. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, as the route follows Funchal’s historic streets and connects several venues.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option also helps if your Madeira plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Funchal bar tour?

Book it if you want a guided sampling of Madeira’s best-known drinks and like the idea of six stops in one evening. The three beers, two wine styles, ginja chocolate cup, Nikita, and Poncha create a varied route, and the guide adds useful local context.

Do not book it solely for a guaranteed hands-on Poncha lesson without confirming the format first. Ask whether you will actually prepare the drink yourself on your date.

For a first visit to Funchal, I think the tour offers a convenient way to get your bearings in the local bar scene. At $91, it works best when you value the range and guidance, not when you are simply looking for the cheapest drink in town.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the entrance to Blandy’s Wine Lodges, Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at 4:15 p.m. The tour starts at 4:30 p.m., and attendance 15 minutes early is required.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts three hours and ends back at the original meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Which drinks are included?

Included tastings are local artisanal beer, white still Madeiran wine, ginja in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, the Nikita cocktail, and Poncha.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks not specifically listed in the inclusions are not included.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

Who cannot join the tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, or people over 95 years old.