Bar hopping Tour & Poncha Workshop – Funchal

Funchal has a special kind of drink culture, and this 3 hour bar hopping tour strings it together in a smart route through the historic streets. I love the combo of classic Nikita cocktail and a proper Madeira wine tasting, because it shows you more than just beer and bars. One thing to think about first, the Poncha part may not be the hands-on workshop you expect from the name, so read up on what you will actually do during that final stop.

You start at Blandy’s Wine Lodges and spend the afternoon moving from winery tastings to local bars, usually several short sips at each place. My best advice: show up ready to taste, ask questions, and pace yourself, since you are sampling multiple drinks across 6 stops.

Key highlights to focus on

• 6 stops that mix wineries, bars, and classic Madeiran drinks in about 3 hours
• Nikita cocktail with its beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit vibe
• Ginja in a chocolate cup (ginjinha) for a sweet and sour finish
• Three artisanal beers at a local bar, where you can compare styles back to back
• Madeira wine tasting that explains why this fortified wine can feel so different
• Poncha workshop and tasting, the part to clarify before you book

Funchal’s drink route: why this tour works

This is the kind of tour that makes sense when you want local flavor without having to plan six separate stops on your own. You get guided choices, so you do not end up standing in front of a menu that is half mystery and half decision fatigue. In Funchal, that matters, because the city is built for walking and tasting, not for rushed checklist sightseeing.

What I like most is that the drinks are not all the same. You hit a winery early, move to beer, then go to ginja, then Madeira wine, then Nikita, then finish with Poncha. That arc keeps things interesting and teaches you how Madeiran drinking changes from place to place.

The only drawback is timing. In just 3 hours, you are not getting a long sit down meal, and you are sampling a lot. If you prefer slow, food centered dining, this might feel like a sprint. If you like trying several things with guidance, it is a strong fit.

Starting at Blandy’s Wine Lodges at 4:15 p.m.

Your meeting point is Blandy’s Wine Lodges, at the entrance on Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal. The group meets at 4:15 p.m., and the tour starts at 4:30 p.m. You need to be there 15 minutes early.

This matters because you are starting with a winery tasting experience. If you arrive late, you risk missing the first part, and that is the one that sets the tone for the rest of the night.

The other practical point: transportation is not included. You will want to plan how you get to Avenida Arriaga. Since you end back at the meeting point, it is easiest if you are already staying somewhere reasonably close to the center of Funchal.

Winery stop: still white Madeiran wine tasting

The first stop is at one of Madeira’s well-known wineries, with a tasting of one of their fine still wines. Since you get white still Madeiran wine as part of the included drinks, this is not a random pour. You are meant to start with something local and structured before you go bar hopping.

Why this first tasting is valuable: it gives you a baseline. Madeira wine culture is different from what you might expect from mainland Portugal, and the fortified wines often get all the attention. Starting with a still white helps you calibrate your palate before you later taste fortified Madeira.

At this stage of the tour, you also get a chance to ask basic questions about what you are tasting. Even if you are not a wine expert, the guide can help you notice things like sweetness level, acidity, and how the finish feels. That makes the later Madeira wine tasting easier to enjoy.

Local bar stop: three artisanal beers to compare

Next, the tour stops at a local bar for three artisanal beers, each made with local ingredients and offering distinct flavors. This is a good part of the experience because it encourages comparison. Instead of one beer and a shrug, you taste several styles back to back.

Beer tasting on Madeira can be a fun twist if you usually treat beer like a convenience drink. Here it becomes a guided experience. You get to notice differences in body, bitterness, and how the flavor changes after you sip, especially once you move from one brew to the next.

One small consideration: the tour is drink heavy. If you are sensitive to alcohol or you tend to get full quickly, you might want to take your time between beers and sip water too. You do not have any food listed as included, so pace matters.

Ginja and ginjinha: the cherry liqueur in chocolate

Then comes one of the most unmistakable Portuguese treats, ginja, also called ginjinha when served in an edible chocolate cup. You taste it here in a chocolate cup, and the tour description makes it clear what makes it taste the way it does: ginja is made from sour cherries (ginjas), alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients.

I love this stop because it is playful and memorable. It is not just a drink, it is a format. The chocolate cup adds a sweet, cocoa note that can soften the sharpness from the cherries and alcohol.

Also, this is a practical tasting moment. If you figure out whether you like cherry liqueur flavors early, you can decide whether later sweeter drinks, like Nikita, will feel perfect or just too much.

Madeira wine tasting: fortified wine with staying power

After ginja, the tour moves into Madeira wine tasting territory. Madeira wine is described as a fortified wine produced in Madeira, known for longevity, complexity, and versatility. You get to sample it, and you will likely notice why people talk about it as something you can taste many ways.

This stop is valuable even if you are not the type to buy wine by the bottle. A good Madeira tasting helps you understand how a wine can taste different depending on style, sweetness, and how it has developed. Even with a guided tasting, the goal is not to memorize names. The goal is to learn what you like.

If you are a wine fan, this is where you can start thinking about what you want to take home. If you are not, it is still one of the most important cultural tastings in the whole tour, because it ties together the island’s identity with what you are drinking.

Nikita cocktail: beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit

One of the signature moments is the Nikita cocktail. It is described as a refreshing blend of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits. It is a must-try when you are in Madeira, and the guide’s job is to help you enjoy the combo instead of just wondering what you are drinking.

This is the kind of drink that makes you slow down and taste it on purpose. The cold creaminess from ice cream changes the feel of beer flavors. The tropical fruit notes add a sweet, bright side that keeps it from tasting like a weird experiment.

I also like that Nikita is served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere during the tour. That means you are not just moving from one counter to another. You get a short mental reset before the final part.

Poncha workshop and tasting: what to clarify before you go

The tour ends with Poncha workshop and tasting. Poncha is described as an iconic Madeiran drink, and the tour experience promises you will learn how to make it and then enjoy it in the ending setting.

Here is the caution I would give you. The activity title can lead you to expect a fully hands-on workshop where you make your own poncha. From what is known about how this experience runs, the Poncha portion may be more tasting and demonstration than true hands-on mixing.

So my advice is simple. Before you book, check what the workshop includes in practice. If you want to squeeze citrus, measure ingredients, or physically craft your own drink, you should confirm that detail. If you are mainly happy to learn and taste, you will still likely enjoy the ending, because it is the tour’s Madeiran finale.

Drinks, stops, and value: is $91 worth it?

At $91 per person for about 3 hours, you are paying for more than just drinks. You are paying for an organized route, an English speaking guide, and multiple tastings bundled into the price.

Included drinks and tastings are substantial:

• Local artisanal beer tasting (three beers)
• White still Madeiran wine
• Ginja in an edible chocolate cup
• Madeira wine tasting
• Nikita cocktail
• Poncha workshop and tasting

You also get an English speaking guide and the tour includes 6 stops through the historic streets of Funchal.

The value question usually comes down to your tolerance for alcohol sampling and your interest in Madeiran specialties. If you like variety and you want an easy way to try several iconic drinks, $91 can feel reasonable for what you get. If you only want one or two drinks, you might feel like you are paying for others you will not love.

Also note food is not listed as included. That means you might want to eat beforehand, especially since the tour focuses on tastings rather than meals.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This is a fun, cultural style tour. It is best for adults who want to walk around Funchal in the late afternoon and learn the island’s drink culture through tastings rather than just a couple of bars.

It is not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• Children under 18 years
• People over 95 years

If you fall into any of those groups, you should look for a different style of Madeira experience.

I would also say it is best for you if you are comfortable moving between stops and making choices quickly. Since transportation is not included and you start at a specific time, it helps if you plan your schedule around that 4:30 p.m. start.

Quick tips to enjoy every sip in 3 hours

• Arrive early at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, aim for 4:15 p.m. or before.
• Eat beforehand. Food is not listed as included, so your enjoyment will depend on what you do before the first tasting.
• Sip, do not slug. You have several drinks in a row, and pacing keeps it fun.
• Ask questions about taste. The guide is English speaking, and wine and liqueur tastings go from confusing to clear when someone explains what to look for.
• Ask what Poncha workshop means. If hands-on making matters to you, confirm that detail when booking.

One more practical point: the tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to plan your evening. If you want a final stroll after, you can head off from Avenida Arriaga without figuring out transit.

Should you book this Funchal bar hopping tour?

Book it if you want a guided night of Madeiran drinks, especially if you are curious about Nikita cocktail, ginja in chocolate, and Madeira wine in a single evening plan. The route is built to keep you moving through different drink styles, and the included tastings are broad enough that most people find something they like.

I would hesitate if you are expecting a guaranteed hands-on poncha making session. If that is your top reason to book, confirm what you will actually do during the workshop before you pay. If it turns out to be more demonstration than hands-on, you might feel like you paid for a bar hopping tour that happens to include poncha tasting.

Finally, if you like easy structure and you want to taste your way through Funchal without doing homework, this is the kind of tour that saves time and gives you local flavors in a concentrated way.

FAQ

Where does the bar hopping tour start?

The tour starts at Blandy’s Wine Lodges (at the entrance), Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal.

What time does the tour begin?

You meet at 4:15 p.m., and the tour starts at 4:30 p.m. Starting times are subject to availability.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts 3 hours.

What tastings and drinks are included?

Included are an English speaking guide, local artisanal beer tasting (three beers), white still Madeiran wine, ginja tasting in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine tasting, Nikita cocktail, and a Poncha workshop and tasting.

Do I need to bring food or drinks?

Food and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions are not included, so you should plan accordingly.

Is it suitable for kids or families?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years, and it is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years.