Looking for an afternoon activity or a night out with a difference? Step back in time and into the Wild West at Moonshine Saloon. From the team behind the out-of-this-world Avora cocktail experience, and the famed Alcatraz cocktail experience, this adventure will see you saunter behind the swinging doors of an Aldgate saloon for an hour and 45 minutes, and enjoy a theatrical drinking experience like no other.
1. Personalised drinks
Moonshine Saloon is, at its core, a cocktail experience. As such, we’d say the drinks are a pretty important component. In line with the theme of the adventure, you’re encouraged to “smuggle in your illicit moonshine”, i.e. it’s BYOB. I love this notion, as it means you can choose your fave booze, and not rely on a menu of pre-determined drinks.
Even better, the expert bartenders will then take your booze, and create four Old West cocktails out of it. Hello, personalised service!
2. The theatrical experience
Speaking of the theme: this is not a regular night out, down the pub. At Moonshine Saloon, you’ll be following a storyline from the moment you enter the Aldgate establishment. You’ll become part of the illicit Moonshine empire, led by the self-styled King of the Moonshiners, Clyde Cassidy, and side by side with live actors, you’ll enjoy the delights of a Wild West bar. Chat with the cowboys, cowgirls, ramblers and gamblers, and try your hand at card games. You may even win big…
Your evening will come to a climax as the Sheriff tries to foil the operation – will he succeed? However your story of illicit hooch ends, it’ll be an unforgettable experience.
3. A chance to escape the mundane
You can opt to simply observe as the drama unfolds (drink in hand, naturally), or you can join the storyline yourself. If you opt for a character ticket, you may choose to play the Deputy Sheriff, Brothel Keeper, or The Mayor. You even get a costume! Rest assured, only one patron is assigned to each of the characters in each session, so there’ll be no need to call “this town ain’t big enough for the both of us.”
4. The set design
As you’d expect, Moonshine Saloon has a fair few dark corners to conceal your smuggled booze and illicit gambling activities. The stark difference between London Liverpool Street’s modernity and the set design is pretty impressive too, and makes the experience all the more immersive.
There is a main room, with a central bar at its helm, that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped onto an Old Western film set, plus the characters will lead you into other side rooms… if they can trust you to keep their secrets, that is.
5. It’s a great event, whatever the occasion
My final reason to visit Moonshine Saloon is simply that it’s a fab way to spend a few hours, whatever the occasion. Due to the nature of the event, it works well for a get-together with a group of friends, as well as one-on-one time with a date, or as team building with colleagues. Be it Valentine’s Day, a long weekend, or a mid-week evening, you’re guaranteed a laugh!
