How It Works

What Actually Happens at a Cocktail Team-Building Event

Spirit Games · 24 June 2026 · 5 min read

"Cocktail team building" sounds fun - but what does it actually involve? Here is exactly how a Spirit Games session runs, from the moment we arrive to the final showdown, so you know what your team is in for.

First: we come to you

This is the part people are most surprised by. Spirit Games is fully mobile - we bring our own bar set-up, equipment, glassware and ingredients to you. Most of our events run right in our clients' offices, in a space the team clears for us (a boardroom, canteen or open-plan area works perfectly). There is no need to find a venue, hire a space, or organise (and pay for) safe transport to and from an off-site venue - a real headache for HR that simply disappears when we come to you. If you would rather host off-site, we can help arrange a third-party venue, but the vast majority of our events come straight to your door.

The format: five stations, one showdown

A session runs about 2.5 hours and is hosted by a professional MC, supported by a bartender and a bar back. Your team is split into groups and rotates through a series of cocktail challenges - one person up at a time while the rest cheer, score and get involved.

  1. Free pour masterclass

    We teach the bartender's "bubble count" technique - and yes, you are scored on accuracy. It is the icebreaker and it gets everyone laughing immediately.

  2. The Cosmopolitan

    Shake and strain a New York classic, finished with a flambe orange garnish (safely, and to applause).

  3. The Mojito

    Muddle, churn and build a Cuban classic over crushed ice - hands-on and fresh.

  4. The Cape Sunset

    Our signature layered cocktail - grenadine-red base, orange middle, golden top - inspired by Cape Town's sunsets.

  5. The Mystery Bag Showdown

    The finale. Teams get mystery ingredients and must invent, name, story and perform their own cocktail. This is where the night is won.

Why hands-on beats passive for bonding

Most "team building" asks people to watch, listen or endure. Spirit Games asks them to do - together. Everyone participates, there are no spectators, and the friendly competition gives quieter team members a natural way in. People remember how an event made them feel, and "we laughed the whole time" is a far better Monday-morning memory than another buffet.

Who it is for: corporate teams, staff socials, year-end functions, conferences and incentives, plus private celebrations. It works best for groups of 15 or more (our minimum), with one bar station comfortably handling up to 25 guests.

What's included

How to book

Tell us your date, rough numbers and where you would like to host (usually your own office). We will send a tailored proposal - priced per guest, all-inclusive at our R1,400 standard rate, with a 15-guest minimum. Then we bring the party to you.

Ready to see it in action?

We bring the whole experience to your office. Tell us about your team and we will tailor a proposal.

Get a tailored proposal