Bar hopping Tour & Poncha Workshop – Funchal

The best part of this Funchal evening is the range: in three hours, you move from still Madeiran wine to local beer, sour-cherry ginja, Madeira wine, Nikita, and Poncha. It is less a simple pub crawl than a guided tasting route through the city’s drinking traditions.

I like the six-stop format, which keeps the evening moving, and the chance to try drinks you might not order on your own, especially Nikita and ginja served in an edible chocolate cup. I also like that the guide adds stories and local pointers along the way. Guides have included Matt, who was praised for making the route relaxed and fun.

The main caution is the Poncha workshop wording. The experience promises a workshop, but one booking reported tasting Poncha without actually making it. If hands-on preparation is the reason you are booking, confirm this point before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Six drink stops in central Funchal: The route links a winery, bars, and tasting venues through the historic streets.
• A full Madeiran drinks sampler: Expect local beer, still white wine, Madeira wine, ginja, Nikita, and Poncha.
• The Poncha workshop needs clarification: The description promises participation, but the hands-on element may not always happen.
• A three-hour evening outing: Meet at Blandy’s Wine Lodges at 4:15 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. start.
• Best for adults who enjoy tasting: The tour is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women.
• The price includes the listed tastings: At $91 per person, value depends on how much you want guided access and drink context rather than a cheap night out.

Why this tour works as a first evening in Funchal

Funchal is easy to explore on foot, but the local drinks are not always obvious to a first-time visitor. You may recognize wine on a menu, yet still wonder how Madeira wine differs from ordinary table wine, or why Poncha appears on nearly every list of island specialties.

This tour gives you a guided introduction in one sitting. You do not need to research bars, compare menus, or guess which local drink is worth trying. The guide handles the route while you concentrate on the flavors and the character of each stop.

I like the way the program moves between familiar and unusual drinks. A local artisanal beer is an easy starting point. Ginja in a chocolate cup adds a playful Portuguese touch. Madeira wine brings a more serious tasting, while Nikita and Poncha show the island’s sweeter, stronger side.

The timing also makes sense. Starting at 4:30 p.m. gives you an early evening experience, and the activity ends back at the original meeting point after about three hours. You can then continue to dinner or make your own plans nearby.

Do not think of this as a late-night party tour. It is a cultural tasting walk with alcohol at every stop, followed by free time. Pace yourself, eat beforehand, and treat the three hours as a sampler rather than a drinking contest.

Meeting at Blandy’s Wine Lodges

Your starting point is the entrance to Blandy’s Wine Lodges at Avenida Arriaga 28. You are asked to arrive at 4:15 p.m., fifteen minutes before the 4:30 p.m. departure.

That early arrival matters. A tasting route with six stops has a fixed rhythm, and arriving at the last minute can create a poor start for you and the group. Give yourself time to find the entrance and meet the English-speaking guide.

Beginning at Blandy’s is fitting because wine sets the tone for the evening. You start with a tasting of a still Madeiran white wine, not the fortified Madeira wine that comes later. This distinction gives you a useful comparison before the tour moves into stronger and sweeter styles.

The tour ends where it begins, which is practical if you are staying in central Funchal. There is no transport to arrange during the activity, and transport to or from the meeting point is not included. You should plan your own way to Avenida Arriaga.

Stop one: still white Madeiran wine

The opening wine tasting introduces a style that can be easy to overlook beside Madeira’s famous fortified wines. You taste one locally produced still white wine at a well-known winery.

This is a modest first stop, but it gives the evening a clear starting point. A still wine is not fortified, so it provides a cleaner reference for the later Madeira wine tasting. Pay attention to the difference in weight, sweetness, and finish as the night progresses.

The tasting is included in the price, and the setting gives you some context for the island’s wine culture. The information supplied does not specify the exact producer, grape variety, or number of pours, so you should not expect a full winery tour or a detailed cellar visit. The value here is the guided sample and the comparison it creates.

If you are mainly interested in wine, this part will appeal to you, but the tour is not built as a specialist wine course. It quickly moves on to beer and spirits.

Stop two: three local artisanal beers

At a local bar, you taste three artisanal beers. This is one of the more useful stops for anyone who wants to see what Madeira produces beyond its better-known wines.

The three brews are described as distinct and made with local ingredients. You can expect the guide to use the selection to show different flavors, though the exact beers may vary. Since specific styles are not listed, do not book this expecting three particular labels.

I like this stop because it breaks up the wine tasting. Beer gives you a lighter, more casual change of pace, and a local bar offers a different mood from the winery. It also helps you compare Madeira’s small-batch brewing with the island’s long-established wine traditions.

Three samples can add up quickly when combined with five more drinks, so you have a good reason to take small sips and use the time between stops. Food is not included unless specifically listed, and the tour does not include unlisted drinks. Eat before you arrive or plan a meal afterward.

Stop three: ginja in an edible chocolate cup

Ginja, also called ginjinha, is a Portuguese sour-cherry liqueur made with ginjas, alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients. Here, you taste it in a chocolate cup, which makes the serving both a drink and a small sweet.

This is a fun detail, but it also reveals how Portuguese drinking customs can be social and informal. Ginja is not simply a shot to swallow quickly. The chocolate cup changes the finish and adds sweetness to an already fruit-led liqueur.

The portion size is not specified, so I would treat this as a tasting rather than a full drink. If you do not enjoy sweet liqueurs, this may be the least appealing stop. If you like cherry flavors or dessert-style drinks, it is one of the more memorable samples.

Because the chocolate cup is edible, you do not need to worry about carrying a souvenir glass or finding a place to dispose of it. Just be aware that the tasting continues at several more stops, so you may want to enjoy it slowly.

Stop four: Madeira wine and its changing flavors

The Madeira wine tasting is the most important stop for understanding the island’s signature drink. Madeira wine is fortified, known for its long life, complex character, and range of styles.

The supplied details do not name the specific wines or tell you how many varieties you will taste. That means you should expect an introduction rather than a complete survey of Madeira wine. Still, the tasting gives you a chance to notice how different the wine can be from the still white wine served at the beginning.

This is where I would pay close attention to the guide. Ask about sweetness, serving style, and how the wine differs from ordinary table wine. The tour is conducted in English, so you can ask questions directly rather than relying on a printed menu.

Madeira wine can be a useful purchase for later in your trip, but buying bottles is not included in the tour. The tasting itself is included. If you are a serious wine enthusiast, you may want a separate winery visit with more technical detail. If you simply want to understand what makes Madeira wine special, this stop should do the job.

Stop five: the Nikita cocktail

Nikita is one of Madeira’s most unusual local drinks. It combines beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit, creating a creamy, sweet cocktail that feels closer to a dessert than a standard beer.

This is the stop that may surprise you most. The ingredients sound odd together, but that is exactly why tasting it with a guide is useful. You can try the local version without committing to a large serving at an unfamiliar bar.

The drink is served in a comfortable bar setting, according to the activity details. One of the strengths of the route is this change in atmosphere. You are not standing in the same kind of venue all evening, and each stop gives you a different way to experience Funchal after work and into the evening.

Nikita is not a dry or subtle drink. If you prefer bitter beer, neat spirits, or crisp wine, you may find it too sweet. I would still try it once. It is closely tied to Madeira’s casual drink culture, and it is unlikely to be something you encounter on a standard Portuguese tasting menu outside the island.

Stop six: Poncha and the promised workshop

The final stop centers on Poncha, Madeira’s best-known traditional drink. Poncha is generally associated with a mix of local spirit, citrus, and sweetener, though the supplied details do not specify the exact recipe used during this activity.

The important point is that this is advertised as a workshop and tasting. You should be prepared to learn how Poncha is made and, ideally, take part in preparing your own drink. The description calls it an exclusive workshop, but one booking found that no hands-on preparation took place.

That mismatch is the tour’s clearest weakness. If you are choosing this experience mainly because you want to make Poncha, contact Wine Tours Madeira before booking and ask exactly what participation involves on your date. You may get a proper demonstration, a chance to mix the drink, or simply an explanation followed by a prepared tasting.

Even without hands-on work, Poncha is a strong finish because it brings the evening back to a distinctly Madeiran tradition. The setting is described as a fitting place to enjoy the drink, and the guide can help you understand how it fits into local social life.

What the $91 price means

At $91 per person, this is not a budget bar crawl. The cost makes more sense if you would otherwise pay separately for several tastings, struggle to find the right venues, and miss the background that connects the drinks.

The price includes an English-speaking guide, three artisanal beer tastings, still white Madeiran wine, ginja in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, Nikita, and Poncha. That is a broad list for a three-hour route.

The value depends on your drinking habits. If you enjoy sampling small portions and want to try local specialties, the package may be fair. If you mainly want one or two drinks in a bar, $91 is hard to justify. You are paying for the route, the guide, the introductions, and the chance to taste several named Madeiran drinks in one evening.

Food is not included, and neither are drinks not listed in the package. Transportation to and from the meeting point is also your responsibility. Add those costs when setting your evening budget.

The rating of 4.6 from five reviews suggests a generally positive experience, but the small number of ratings means you should not treat it as a final verdict. The strongest praise centers on the guide, the varied bar selection, the relaxed mood, and the mix of traditional and unusual drinks. The main criticism concerns the Poncha workshop and value if the activity becomes only a tasting route.

Who will enjoy this Funchal evening

I would recommend this tour to adults who want an easy introduction to Madeiran drinks without spending several nights testing bars on their own. It suits you especially well if you like trying local specialties, asking questions, and moving between different venues.

It also works for a small group of friends who want a structured evening. The guide provides the plan, while the six stops keep the night from feeling repetitive. A guide who shares local stories and practical tips can also help you decide where to return later.

This is less suitable for people who do not drink alcohol, anyone seeking a food tour, or visitors who want a late-night club experience. The activity is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant women, or people over 95 years old.

The pace may also be demanding if you prefer long meals or lots of time in each bar. Three hours and six stops means the focus is on tasting and moving along, not settling in for a full drink at every venue.

Practical advice for a smoother tasting

Eat before the 4:30 p.m. start. The package includes drinks but no food, and the evening includes beer, wine, liqueurs, cocktails, and Poncha.

Arrive at Blandy’s Wine Lodges by 4:15 p.m. The meeting point is at the entrance, and the tour returns there at the end. Wear comfortable shoes, since the route goes through Funchal’s historic streets.

Ask at the start how much of each drink you will receive and how the Poncha workshop will work. This is particularly important if the workshop is the main reason you booked.

Keep water in mind between tastings, even if it is not listed as an inclusion. Take your time with each sample, and do not feel obliged to finish every drink. The point is to understand Madeira’s drinking culture, not to race through six stops.

The tour is offered with a live English-speaking guide. Starting times should be checked when you book, although the supplied meeting schedule lists arrival at 4:15 p.m. and departure at 4:30 p.m.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a guided sampler of Funchal’s local drinks and value variety over a low-cost night at one bar. The combination of artisanal beer, two wine styles, ginja, Nikita, and Poncha gives you a quick and useful introduction to Madeira’s bar culture.

I would be more cautious if the Poncha workshop is essential. Confirm that you will actually help prepare the drink, not only taste it. If the provider confirms a hands-on session, the price is easier to defend. If not, compare it with booking a smaller number of tastings independently.

For most adults who enjoy local drinks, the guide and varied route are the main reasons to go. Just arrive fed, pace yourself, and treat the workshop promise as something to verify before you commit.

FAQ

Where does the Bar Hopping Tour and Poncha Workshop start?

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

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at 4:15 p.m. The tour starts at 4:30 p.m., and attendance fifteen minutes early is required.

How long does the activity last?

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

What drinks are included?

The inclusions cover local artisanal beer, three artisanal beer tastings, still white Madeiran wine, ginja in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, Nikita, and Poncha.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. It includes a live English-speaking guide.

Is the Poncha workshop hands-on?

The activity is advertised as a Poncha workshop and tasting, but hands-on preparation should be confirmed before booking because the workshop did not take place for one booking.

Who cannot join the activity?

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