Have you considered the Whistlers cocktail classes? Always sounded like a ton of fun to me.
http://whistlerchicago.com/cocktail-classes/Other than that, my advice would be to just experiment. Start with the basics (sours, flips, martini, manhattan), then make some of the Violet Hour drinks, and then play from there and riff how you please. Just be willing to throw some stuff out (note: thyme infused carpano does not make for a great Manhattan)