Bar hopping & Poncha Workshop in Funchal

Funchal tastes like a lesson in good drinking. This bar-hopping tour turns the historic streets of Funchal into a tasting route, with Nikita and ginjinha built right into the plan.

I love the mix of classic Madeiran flavors, not just one drink repeated. And I really like how the stops are spaced out so you get variety without feeling rushed.

One watch-out: the poncha segment is a workshop in name, but for some people it can feel more like a poncha demonstration than hands-on bottle-to-cup making. If you want to actively craft your own poncha from scratch, it is worth double-checking what you will be doing during the session.

Key things to know before you go

• 6 stops in about 3 hours, focused on tastings, not sightseeing lectures
• Nikita cocktail (beer, ice cream, tropical fruits), a Madeira oddball you should try at least once
• Ginjinha in a chocolate cup, a fun way to taste sour cherry liqueur
• Madeira wine tastings, including white still wine and then Madeira wine with its fortified style
• Poncha workshop and tasting, with instruction plus a final payoff moment

Starting at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, right in Funchal’s center

I like tours that start in a place you can actually find, and Blandy’s Wine Lodges at Avenida Arriaga 28 nails that. The meeting is at the entrance, and you should aim to arrive around 3:45 p.m. since the tour begins at 4:00 p.m. and attendance is required 15 minutes earlier.

Why this matters for you: in Funchal, timing is everything. Streets can be busy, and you do not want to sprint across town while your group is already lining up for the first tasting. Also, starting right at a famous Madeira wine location sets the tone fast, so you are not guessing what the evening is about.

The pacing: six tasting stops without turning it into a drinking contest

This is a 3-hour experience with six stops, so plan to keep your pace steady. You will be tasting multiple styles of drinks, including beer, wine, liqueurs, and cocktails. That is part of the fun, but it also means you should show up ready to slow down and taste, not rush.

I think the biggest value here is variety. Instead of doing one long wine session, you get a sequence of distinct Madeira personalities:

• beer and its local ingredients
• wine, then fortified Madeira wine
• cherry liqueur with a dessert-like twist
• Nikita, sweet and creamy
• poncha, the iconic local drink

If you prefer a quiet night, you might find the schedule a lot. If you like moving through town and learning by tasting, this format usually feels lively and easy.

Beer, white still wine, and Madeira wines: what to look for

You kick off with a winery stop at Blandy’s and get a tasting of a fine still wine. After that, you move to a local bar for three artisanal beers. Each brew is made with local ingredients, and you get explanations as you go.

For beer lovers, this is not just a sip and a shrug. The point is to notice how Madeira’s ingredients and brewing style come through in the glass. Since you get three beers, you can compare bitterness, sweetness, aroma, and how each one finishes. I like this approach because it turns tasting into pattern recognition, even if you are not a beer expert.

Then comes the Madeira wine part. You will taste white still Madeiran wine and also Madeira Wine during the tour. Madeira is fortified, and it is known for longevity and complexity, plus it works in lots of different ways, from sipping to pairing with food. Even if you do not become a Madeira collector by the end, you will at least understand why people in the islands are so serious about it.

Practical tip: with wine tastings, take small sips and pay attention to how the flavors change as the drink warms slightly in the glass. That is where a lot of the complexity shows up.

Nikita cocktail and ginjinha in a chocolate cup: the sweet side of Madeira

If you only try one thing that feels truly Madeira, try Nikita. The Nikita cocktail is a refreshing blend of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits. Yes, it sounds weird. That is why it works. It has that creamy sweetness from the ice cream, the fruity brightness, and the beer element that keeps it from turning into pure dessert.

The best way to enjoy Nikita is to treat it like a balance act. Take it slow. Let the beer freshness and the tropical notes play off the creamy texture. When done right, it tastes less like a gimmick and more like a local invention.

Next is ginjinha, also known as ginjinha when you hear it written in a few different ways. It is a Portuguese liqueur made from sour cherries, alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients. What makes this stop fun is the presentation: you taste it in an edible chocolate cup.

This is a smart pairing move. Chocolate makes the cherry liqueur feel rounder and sweeter, and it also gives you a texture contrast. Even if you are not a big liqueur person, the chocolate cup can make the drink feel approachable.

If you are the kind of person who likes trying one adventurous sweet thing per tour, this is exactly that.

Poncha workshop: what you can expect in real terms

Poncha is the iconic Madeiran drink, and the tour includes a poncha workshop and tasting. In theory, a workshop means you learn and participate. In practice, based on experiences shared by some guests, the poncha segment may feel more like an instructional demonstration than a full hands-on class where you personally manufacture every step.

So here is the consideration I would put on your radar: if your main reason for booking is the expectation of making a poncha bottle-to-cup yourself, confirm the format before you go. Ask whether you will be actively mixing and shaping the final drink or whether you will mostly watch, learn, and taste what the guide prepares.

That said, even when the process is more watch-and-learn, the session still tends to be satisfying. You get the story behind the drink, and you finish with the tasting part. One highlight mentioned is that the poncha ends in a beautiful view setting, which is a great way to wrap up an evening that is mostly tastings.

Where the guide really changes the experience

This tour is English speaking, and the guide plays a big role in how fun and clear it feels. You might meet a guide like Matt, who is described as friendly and guide-like in the best sense, more like a knowledgeable friend than a stiff lecturer. You might also see Duarte associated with this route, with a style that focuses on taking you to places that feel local and not like a checklist.

In practical terms, you want a guide who can:

• explain what you are tasting without making it feel like homework
• keep the group moving smoothly between stops
• add context so the drinks make sense, especially for Madeira wine and poncha

When that connection clicks, the tour becomes more than a string of sips.

Price and value: is $106 worth it?

At $106 per person for a 3-hour tour with tastings at multiple locations, I see the value in two places.

First, you are not paying for just one drink. You get a sequence that covers beer, still wine, Madeira wine, cherry liqueur, Nikita, and poncha tasting. That is a lot of sampling for one evening.

Second, you are paying for guidance. Tastings without context can feel random. Here, the tour includes explanations and structured stops, which makes it easier to remember what you liked and why.

The main reason the price might feel less fair is the poncha expectations. If you come in thinking you will definitely mix your own poncha, and you instead experience a more demonstration-style workshop, you might wish for more hands-on time. Again, this is something you can clarify up front.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This is a cultural and fun tour built around tasting. It is best for adults who enjoy:

• trying local drinks
• walking through the center of Funchal
• learning through food and drink rather than museums

It is not suitable for:

• pregnant women
• children under 18
• people over 95

If you get motion issues or strong sensitivities to alcohol smells, keep that in mind too, since you will be in bars and wineries with active tastings.

Should you book Bar hopping & Poncha Workshop in Funchal?

I think you should book if your ideal Madeira night looks like this: meet in the center, walk between real places, and taste the islands through beer, wine, cherry liqueur, Nikita, and poncha. The combination is specific, and it gives you a well-rounded feel for Funchal’s drink culture in just three hours.

You might pass or adjust your expectations if:

• you want a guaranteed hands-on mixing experience for poncha
• you do not enjoy multiple alcohol tastings in one evening
• you prefer quiet, sit-down dining over moving between stops

If you are on the fence, my practical advice is simple: confirm what the poncha workshop involves. If it is mostly instruction plus tasting, you will still likely have fun for the rest of the program.

FAQ

How long is the Bar hopping & Poncha Workshop in Funchal?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

What is the meeting point and time?

Meet at Blandy’s Wine Lodges (at entrance), Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal. The tour starts at 4:00 p.m., and you must attend 15 minutes earlier, so arrive at 3:45 p.m.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. It includes an English speaking guide.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $106 per person.

What drinks are included?

You get tastings of local artisanal beers (three beers), white still Madeiran wine, ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup, a Madeira wine tasting, the Nikita cocktail, and the poncha workshop and tasting.

Is transportation included?

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

Is there food included?

Food and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions are not included. The listed inclusions focus on tastings of drinks.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a pay later option?

Yes. You can reserve now & pay later, meaning you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, and people over 95.