A good drink tour can turn a street stroll into a real plan. In Funchal, this bar hopping route blends Madeira tastings with the Nikita cocktail and ends with Poncha. I especially like that you get multiple styles of local sipping, from still wine to fortified Madeira wine, not just one sweet drink.

Two highlights for me are the three artisanal beer tastings and the playful tasting of ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup. If you’re hoping for a hands-on Poncha “make it yourself” moment, do a quick expectation check first, because the workshop part can feel more like learning and tasting than full DIY.

Key Things I’d Tell You Before You Go

• Six stops in about three hours means you’ll sample, not linger for long meals.
• Nikita cocktail is listed as beer plus ice cream plus tropical fruit, so come ready for something different.
• Ginjinha (ginjinha) in chocolate is a fun, local liqueur moment, and it’s easy to skip if you dislike cherry flavors.
• Poncha is the finale, but the exact “hands-on” level may vary from your expectation.
• Blandy’s Wine Lodges is the start point, which sets a wine-forward tone from minute one.
• English-speaking guide and a relaxed bar-to-bar pace make it easier to enjoy even if you’re not a “wine person.”

Why This Bar Hopping Tour Feels Like the Right Pace in Funchal

Funchal is great for wandering, but drink tours can remove the guesswork. This one gives you a set route through historic streets, with a guide handling the order and the context.

What I like is that it mixes categories of local favorites, not just one theme. You’ll go from a winery tasting to artisanal beer, then into cherry liqueur and fortified Madeira wine, and finally into the classic Madeira cocktails. In about three hours, you’ll cover a lot of “what Madeira tastes like” without turning your evening into an all-nighter.

The other thing that matters is variety. You’re not only doing wine. You’re also tasting beer, a cherry liqueur in an edible cup, and the Nikita cocktail with ice cream. That spread makes it fun for people who drink differently, and it helps you find what you actually like.

Price and What You’re Really Getting for About $91

At $91 per person for roughly three hours, the value depends on what you want out of it. If you want a guided night out with multiple tastings, this price can make sense because it bundles several included drinks.

From the inclusions, you’re covering:

• local artisanal beer tasting (three beers)
• white still Madeiran wine
• Ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup
• Madeira wine tasting
• Nikita cocktail
• Poncha workshop and tasting

That’s a lot of drinks built into one program, and the guide likely saves you time figuring out where to go and what to order. If you just want one or two samples and a casual vibe, paying for six tasting stops might feel like overkill.

Also note the “workshop” label on Poncha. One participant felt the wording suggested they would make poncha themselves, but what happened felt closer to a bar tour with tasting. If you care a lot about hands-on making, that’s the main value risk to consider before you book.

Meeting Point and Timing: Blandy’s Wine Lodges at 4:15 p.m.

This tour meets at the entrance of Blandy’s Wine Lodges, Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal. It starts at 4:30 p.m., so you’ll want to arrive about 15 minutes early.

That early start time is practical. You’re not committing to a late-night crawl. Instead, you get a structured tasting window in the late afternoon, which tends to feel easier in Madeira weather and helps you still have energy after.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That’s helpful for planning dinner, grabbing a taxi if you want, or simply making sure you’re not stranded across town at the end of your tasting schedule.

The 6 Stops in Plain English (What Each One Adds)

You’ll hit six stops, and each one is built to show a different side of Madeira drinking culture. Here’s how the tasting arc tends to work, based on what’s included.

Stop 1: Start at Blandy’s, with a still wine tasting

Your tour begins at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, and you’ll start with a tasting of one of their fine still wines. This matters because it gives you a baseline before the tour gets heavier with fortified Madeira wine flavors later.

Even if you don’t usually drink wine, a still wine start helps you notice sweetness, acidity, and style shifts as you move through the evening.

Stop 2: Three artisanal beers in a local bar

Next comes a local bar where you taste three artisanal beers. These are described as crafted with local ingredients and made to show distinct flavors, so the goal is not one beer, it’s comparisons.

This stop is one of the reasons I like the tour structure. Beer adds a casual, refreshing break between the wine and the sweeter liqueurs. It also gives you more “palate variety” so everything doesn’t blur together.

Stop 3: Ginjinha, the cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup

Then you’ll try Ginjinha, also called ginjinha, served in an edible chocolate cup. It’s a Portuguese cherry liqueur made from sour cherries (ginjas), alcohol, sugar, and other ingredients.

What to consider here is simple: this is cherry-forward and sweet. If you’re not into liqueurs or you dislike cherry flavors, you might find it more interesting than delicious. Still, it’s a very Madeira-flavored way to experience a local tradition, and the chocolate cup makes it feel like more than just a sip.

Stop 4: Madeira wine tasting, where complexity comes in

After that, you’ll do a Madeira wine tasting. Madeira wine is a fortified wine produced in Madeira, and it’s known for longevity and complexity, plus versatility.

This stop is often where the tour earns its keep for people who like to learn something. Even if you don’t speak “wine language,” you can still taste differences in sweetness and texture. Madeira wines are built to be more about character than “light and easy,” so it’s a good moment to slow down and notice what changes.

Stop 5: Nikita cocktail, beer, ice cream, and tropical fruit

Next is the Nikita cocktail. It’s listed as a blend of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits, and it’s described as a must-try in Madeira.

This is the most “only in Madeira” drink on the list. If you like trying odd-but-good combos, you’ll probably have fun here. If you hate sweet and creamy drinks, you’ll want to approach it like a tasting, not a main drink for the night.

Stop 6: Poncha workshop and tasting, the finale

The tour closes with the Poncha workshop and tasting. Poncha is the traditional Madeira drink, and this is positioned as the activity moment where you learn how poncha is made.

One important expectation note: one participant felt the title suggested a hands-on workshop where they could make their own poncha, but the experience was more of a tasting-focused bar stop. If making poncha yourself is the whole point for you, ask ahead what you’ll actually do during the workshop portion.

Why the Guide Matters (Insider Picks in Real Life)

A good bar tour lives or dies by the guide. In the strongest review, the guide was Matt, described as helpful, friendly, and open. The group also mentioned he took them to some of the best spots in the city and shared stories and insider tips.

That kind of guidance changes everything. It helps you enjoy the places more, because you understand what you’re looking at and why the drink matters. It also helps you feel less awkward in bars where locals might keep to themselves.

If you’re doing this as a solo traveler, or you just don’t want to research five different venues, a guide who can set context is a big part of the value.

What to Expect From the Atmosphere (Relaxed, not party-chaos)

This is described as a fun journey through historic streets, with a cozy and welcoming feel at at least one key stop. The overall vibe is relaxed.

You’re moving through multiple places, so yes, you should expect a tasting pace. But the goal is variety and learning, not chasing a crowd. If you want a calm start to the evening with local drinks and easy conversation, this format can fit nicely.

And because the included drinks already cover a lot, you’re not left wondering what to order at each stop. You just show up ready to try.

The Poncha Workshop Question: Make Sure You Match Your Expectations

Here’s the tricky part. The activity description calls it a Poncha workshop, and in practice you’ll likely get learning and tasting, plus the chance to understand the ingredients and method.

But one review flagged that the tour felt more like a bar tasting tour than a hands-on workshop where participants make their own poncha. That mismatch is the main caution I’d give you.

So how do you handle it? If you want the true “I made it with my own hands” experience, confirm what’s included in the workshop portion before you book. If your goal is tasting poncha and learning the basics, you’re probably going to be happy with it.

Food and Transportation: Plan a Simple Evening Around Included Drinks

Food is not listed as included, and transportation to and from the meeting point is not included. That means you should plan on eating either before the tour or after, depending on your schedule.

Also, since you’ll be tasting alcohol, it’s smart to think through how you’ll get dinner afterward. If you’re not walking back, have a transport plan in mind. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which makes your logistics easier.

For me, the biggest practical takeaway is to treat this as a drink-focused block. If you arrive hungry, you might want a snack first so the tastings feel fun rather than overwhelming.

Who This Tour Suits Best in Madeira

This tour is for adults, since it’s not suitable for children under 18. It’s also not suitable for pregnant women, and it’s not suitable for people over 95.

Beyond age fit, it suits people who:

• want to taste multiple Madeira drink styles in a short window
• like guided context, not just random bar hopping
• enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails, not only one category
• want classic Madeira icons like Nikita and Poncha in one evening

If you’re a strict non-drinker or you only want non-alcoholic options, the information provided doesn’t confirm any alternatives. In that case, you might want to look for a different kind of tour.

Should You Book This Funchal Bar Hopping Tour?

Book it if you want a structured 3-hour tasting route with multiple included drinks, especially if you’re excited about Nikita, ginjinha, and both still and fortified Madeira wine. I also think it’s a great fit if you appreciate a friendly English-speaking guide who can point out what matters at each stop, like Matt did in a highlighted review.

Skip or re-check your expectations if the “Poncha workshop” is really about making your own drink. One participant felt the title raised that expectation and it did not fully match what happened. A quick question before booking can save you disappointment.

If you’re unsure, my decision rule is this: if you love variety in one night, and you’re happy with tasting plus learning, this is good value for your Madeira time. If you specifically want hands-on Poncha making as the main event, confirm the workshop details first.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 4:30 p.m. Meeting time is 4:15 p.m. at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, and you’re required to attend 15 minutes early.

How long is the bar hopping tour?

The duration is listed as 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Blandy’s Wine Lodges entrance on Avenida Arriaga 28 in Funchal, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What drinks are included?

Included tastings are local artisanal beer, white still Madeiran wine, ginjinha in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, Nikita cocktail, and poncha workshop and tasting.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the guide is English speaking.

Is transportation to and from the tour included?

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

Is it suitable for children or pregnant travelers?

It’s not suitable for children under 18 or for pregnant women. It’s also not suitable for people over 95.