If you’re looking to arrange a catch up with your nearest and dearest, but have tried all your local bars and restaurants, why not try a paint and sip class?
Get your creative juices flowing with the help of a glass of vino and create a masterpiece that you can take home and pop on the wall. Make your own rules, unleash your inner creativity and if you don’t think you’re up for the challenge, think again because you don't need any experience. Best of all, all of these classes are BYO—does it get any better?
Here are the best paint and sip classes in Sydney.
Pinot & Picasso
Multiple Sydney Locations
One of Australia's biggest paint and sip players, Pinot & Picasso has 35 studios in NSW—and a whopping 27 in Greater Sydney alone. So if you're looking for convenience, your best bet is these guys. Plus, we love the name. They have plenty of different painting sessions to choose from on the calendar, including sunset landscapes, picturesque Santorini views, or even a cute Frenchie for all you animal lovers to paint up. Pinot & Picasso will provide the painting supplies, all you need to do is smuggle in your chosen beverage (we're joking, BYO is permitted and totally encouraged), bring along your own cheese and charcuterie board and get creative. You won’t be thrown right into the deep end, with the instructor guiding you through the painting of your choice, step by step. Book here.
Champainting Sydney
Darlinghurst and Crows Nest
Champainting is all about luxury painting and drinking sessions. There are two locations—Darlinghurst and Crows Nest—and you can expect all kinds of boujee greatness at both, like rose-gold accents, shiny walls, and neon signs (the perfect backdrop to capture your work of art, obviously). There's an array of classes where you'll be painting everything from your mate and colourful female nudes to Monet-style waterlilies and van Gogh-inspired nightscapes. As usual, Champainting will supply the paints, materials, and aprons and you'll BYO on the food and drinks front. And they offer online and private events, too. Book here.
Drip Splash
Chippendale, Dulwich Hill, North Strathfield, Penrith, and Parramatta
Describing itself as "Sydney's freshest paint and sip studio", Drip Splash combines art, booze and tunes for a fun night out with the crew. Sessions usually go for about 2.5 hours and they supply all the gear to get you whipping up a masterpiece—blank canvas, paint, brushes, easel, apron and people to guide you along the way. They provide a fridge and glassware, so all you need to bring is a bottle of wine—or a few. Or, opt for the Parramatta sessions and you'll be getting creative in an actual club, so no need to BYO. At any of its locations, you'll be painting music icons, from Lauryn Hill and Cardi B to Snoop and Biggie, as you sip away. Book here.
Brush And Sip
Newtown
With not one but two studios on Newtown's bustling King Street, Brush And Sip is the go-to boozy painting spot in the Inner West. It's been around since 2017 and has been delighting Sydneysiders with its fun hands-on workshops ever since. There are multiple public sessions available every week, with both afternoon and evening slots available depending on the day. Or, you can book a private event for a work function, birthday, or big celebration for a mate. The subject matter ranges from cherry blossoms and provincial lavender fields to animals and Georgia O'Keeffe-style still lifes. Book here.
Cork & Chroma
Surry Hills and St Leonards
Chilled out nights with our besties and wine are our favourite things in one place. At Cork & Chroma, you’ll be equipped with a glass of wine in one hand, and a paintbrush in the other, as you create a masterpiece to take home and show your mum. We’re sure she’ll be so damn proud of you. You'll get to paint something other than a sad bowl of fruit or awkward nature scene and, instead, you'll try your hand at Frida Kahlo, Ziggy Stardust, and an Area 51-inspired astronaut. We recommend you break all of the rules in this class, too, because who says that grass has to be green and the sky must be painted blue? Book here.
Sips N Strokes
Cammeray
Lower North Shore outfit Sips N Strokes hosts both public and private classes—the largest private one had 350 people! This paint and sip studio even has resident artist Kelly Stewart who has 30 years of experience in contemporary art, typography and assemblage, so you'll be in capable hands here. Sessions kick off at 7pm and run for two hours. You can opt to paint everything from rosellas to hydrangeas in the public sessions. Or, book a children's birthday party, fundraiser, or social event. All you have to bring is your favourite sip and some nibbles—they'll provide the rest. Book here.
Now get inspired and check out the best museums in and around Sydney.
Image credit: Cork & Chroma