Bar hopping Tour & Poncha Workshop – Funchal

Funchal’s drinks tell a story of the island in small, tasty chapters: local beer, Madeira wine, sour-cherry ginja, creamy Nikita, and Poncha. This three-hour walk connects six stops in the historic center, with an English-speaking guide to explain what is in your glass and how the drinks fit Madeiran life.

I like the range of tastings, from still wine and artisanal beer to the island’s fortified wine, and the chance to try ginja in an edible chocolate cup. I also like that the tour ends with a Poncha tasting, a fitting finish after learning about several distinct local drinks.

The main caveat is the advertised Poncha workshop. The description says you will take part in one, but the hands-on part has not always happened. If making Poncha yourself is the reason you are booking, check with the operator first; otherwise, think of this primarily as a guided tasting walk.

At a glance

• Six stops in Funchal: A three-hour route links wine tastings, a local bar, and other drink stops in the historic center.
• Madeira in the glass: Try still white wine and fortified Madeira wine, two different styles with different flavors and purposes.
• Three artisanal beers: The beer stop serves a selection of three brews made with local ingredients.
• A chocolate-cup ginja: Taste the Portuguese sour-cherry liqueur, then eat the little cup.
• Poncha is the finish: The tour includes a Poncha tasting, but confirm whether your session includes actually making it.
• Adults only: The activity is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women.

Six stops, six ways to taste Funchal

This is a guided bar tour with a tasting at each stop, not a pub crawl built around drinking as much as possible. The point is variety: Madeira’s drinks range from crisp still wine to fortified wine, fruit-forward cocktails, and Poncha, a potent local mixture.

The route has six stops and lasts about three hours. You begin at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, then move through Funchal’s historic streets to sample the drinks included in the tour. The precise names of the other bars and the order of every tasting are not specified, so don’t plan on a guaranteed list of venues or a particular atmosphere at each one.

The guide is part of the appeal. A guide named Matt has been noted for sharing stories and local tips, and the tours are conducted in English. If meeting Matt matters to you, ask whether he is leading your date. Guides can vary, and the tour details do not promise a particular person.

A guided route can be useful early in a stay. You get a structured introduction to drinks you may otherwise pass on a menu, and a chance to ask questions as you go. Just remember that this is a tasting experience, not a full meal or a substitute for choosing your own bars later.

Starting with still wine at Blandy’s

Meet at the entrance to Blandy’s Wine Lodges, at Avenida Arriaga 28. You are asked to arrive at 4:15 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. start. The winery is a fitting place to begin a tour focused on Madeiran drinks, and the first tasting is a locally produced still white wine.

Still wine gives you a useful point of comparison for the fortified Madeira wine served later. It is not the same style, and tasting both in one outing can help you notice the island’s range beyond its best-known export. The tour includes the wine tasting, but not other food or drinks that are not named among the inclusions.

The meeting point is also the end point, so you return to Blandy’s after the final stop. There is no transport to or from the meeting point. If you are staying elsewhere in Funchal, make your own way to Avenida Arriaga and allow enough time to arrive before the start.

Three local beers, not just one quick sip

At a local bar, you taste three artisanal beers. Each is described as using local ingredients and having its own flavor profile. That makes this stop more interesting than a single token beer, especially if you want to see how local brewing fits alongside the island’s wine traditions.

The information does not identify the beers, their styles, or their alcohol strength. You should expect a sampling rather than a full pint of each, though serving sizes are not specified. If you have a strong preference or a dietary concern, ask the guide or operator before tasting.

This is one of the stops where the guide can add context that a menu alone cannot. A good question to ask is what local ingredients are used and how the beers differ. The experience is meant to be social and educational, not a technical brewing class.

Ginja in an edible chocolate cup

Ginja, also called ginjinha, is a Portuguese liqueur made from sour cherries, alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients. Here it is served in a small chocolate cup, which turns a simple tasting into a playful little combination of drink and sweet.

The chocolate cup is a memorable detail, but the ginja itself is the point. It gives you a taste of a familiar Portuguese liqueur in a format that is easy to remember and easy to describe later. If you prefer very dry drinks, expect this to be on the sweeter side, as the liqueur contains sugar.

The tour does not specify the size of the pour, the ginja producer, or whether there are alternative servings. It is a tasting, not a full dessert course. If you have an allergy or need to avoid a particular ingredient, ask in advance rather than assuming the chocolate cup or liqueur is suitable.

Madeira wine brings a different style

The Madeira wine tasting offers a contrast with the still white wine at the start. Madeira is a fortified wine, and the tour introduces its distinctive flavors and versatility. It is known for its longevity and complexity, making this a useful moment to slow down and pay attention to what is in the glass.

You do not need to be a wine expert to get something from this stop. Notice how the fortified wine differs from the still wine you tried earlier, and ask what makes the style distinctive. The tour description does not name specific varieties or give a tasting flight breakdown, so the exact wines may depend on the session.

If you are curious about Madeira wine but find a formal winery visit more serious than you want, this stop offers a less demanding introduction as part of a broader evening. On the other hand, if your main goal is an in-depth wine education, this is only one tasting in a multi-drink tour.

Nikita: beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit

Nikita is one of Madeira’s signature cocktails, made with beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits. The blend is unusual enough to challenge the usual idea of what a beer drink can be. Expect something creamy and sweet, rather than a conventional pint or a dry cocktail.

This stop adds a different texture and flavor to the tasting sequence. You have already tried wine, beer, and liqueur; Nikita shifts the focus to a mixed drink that combines ingredients you might not expect to see together. It is a fun one to try even if it does not become your new favorite.

The precise recipe and serving size are not provided. If you avoid dairy, ask about the ice cream before ordering, since it is part of the described drink. The tour includes one Nikita cocktail, but extra food and drinks are not covered.

Poncha at the finish, with one key question

The final stop is devoted to Poncha, a traditional Madeiran drink. You receive a tasting, and the experience is advertised as a workshop where you learn how to make it. That sounds like the most hands-on part of the tour, and it could be a highlight if you enjoy understanding how local drinks are prepared.

There is a practical uncertainty here. The activity description promises a workshop, but a visitor has found that the tour became a bar tasting without an opportunity to make Poncha. That difference matters: if you mainly want a hands-on lesson, ask the operator directly whether participants will mix their own Poncha on your date, or whether the stop is a demonstration and tasting.

Even without a hands-on component, ending with Poncha gives the route a natural local finale. But be clear about what you are paying for. The inclusion of a Poncha tasting is explicit; the exact format of the workshop is less certain.

Is $91 a fair price?

At $91 per person, this is not a cheap way to have a few drinks. You are paying for six guided stops, an English-speaking guide, and a set of tastings that includes three artisanal beers, still white wine, Madeira wine, ginja, Nikita, and Poncha. The price makes more sense if you value the explanations, the variety, and the convenience of having a route organized for you.

It is harder to justify if you are mainly looking for an inexpensive night out. Funchal has bars you can explore on your own, and the tour does not include food or unlisted drinks. It also does not include transport to the meeting point. You may find the price worthwhile for a focused introduction to local drinks, but less appealing if you only want a drink at each venue.

A small set of five ratings gives the activity an overall score of 4.6. Treat that as a useful sign, not a guarantee that every part will match your expectations. The most important point to settle before booking remains the workshop format.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts three hours, and the start time shown for this session is 4:30 p.m. Be at Blandy’s Wine Lodges by 4:15 p.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, making it straightforward to continue your evening in central Funchal.

The tour is conducted in English. It is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, or people over 95. Since the experience centers on alcoholic drinks, it is not a good fit if you do not drink alcohol or want a nonalcoholic alternative; no such alternative is listed.

Food is not included, nor are drinks beyond those specifically named. Eat beforehand if you need a proper meal, and plan your own transport to and from the meeting point. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later.

Should you book the Funchal bar tour?

Book it if you want a guided, social introduction to several Madeiran and Portuguese drinks in one evening. The mix of local beer, two styles of wine, ginja, Nikita, and Poncha is more varied than a standard bar crawl, and the guide’s stories and tips can help you make sense of what you are tasting.

Think twice if the Poncha workshop is your main reason for going. Confirm that you will actually get to make the drink, rather than only taste it. At $91, clarity on that detail is part of deciding whether the tour offers the value you want.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

Where does the tour start?

Meet 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.

What drinks are included?

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

Is the Poncha workshop hands-on?

The tour is advertised as a Poncha workshop, but it is not clear that every session lets you make your own drink. Confirm the format with the operator before booking if this matters to you.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks not listed among the inclusions are not included.

Can children join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95.