About this tour
Master the art of sabrage in Barcelona—the theatrical technique of slicing open a cava bottle with a blade. Over 90 minutes, you'll learn the history and mechanics of this tradition, watch live demos, and take your turn decapitating a bottle of local Penedès cava with a machete. Afterwards, gather in a speakeasy setting to drink your spoils alongside cheese, olives, and bread.
Highlights
- Slice open cava bottles using proper sabrage technique
- Sample ecological, biodynamic cava from Penedès winery
- Watch expert demonstration before attempting yourself
- Eat manchego cheese, olives, and bread post-sabrage
- Learn sabrage's history from Napoleonic cavalry tactics
- Small-group class in central Barcelona
What to expect
Expect a hands-on introduction covering sabrage's origins and the mechanics of executing it safely. Your instructor will demonstrate the blade angle, grip, and follow-through on an actual bottle, then provide one-on-one guidance as each participant attempts their own. The blade work is deliberate rather than aggressive—precision matters more than force. After everyone's had a go, you'll move to a relaxed speakeasy space to taste what you've opened, paired with local charcuterie and bread. The whole experience moves at a conversational pace; no prior experience needed.
Good to know
Not suitable if pregnant or with cardiovascular concerns. Children can attend (prams welcome). Public transport reaches the venue easily. Each person receives one bottle to saber plus a welcome glass. The activity uses real machetes and glass—supervision and safety briefing are thorough.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.