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Unexpectedly delightful, The Paint Bar unleashes your inner artist – even if you weren't aware you had one!
Pros
- Hands-on instruction in a friendly and encouraging environment
- All supplies provided, with no cleanup
- Booze!
Cons
- Limited parking
- A bit of a hike from downtown (Newton location)
- Space is limited, and classes often sell out early
Description
- The Paint Bar, 823 Washington Street, Newton, 617-467-5777
- Hours:
Varies by class; see website for the most up-to-date calendar and class schedule
- Getting There: Mass Pike to exit 17, merge onto Washington Street. Also served by the 59, 504, and 553 MBTA bus lines, and is across the street from the Newtonville Commuter Rail stop (Framingham/Worcester line).
Guide Review – The Paint Bar
It was a cold Friday night in January in Newton, a suburb of Boston, and my girlfriends and I were sipping wine in front of blank canvases. A cup of water, a stack of brushes, and a paper plate of paint sat in front of each of us, the bright colors waiting for a transformation from mere blobs to the buildings of Beacon Hill.
We were at the Paint Bar for a night out—and a diversion a little different from dinner and cocktails. At the end of the night, we'd each have a brand-new painting, one we created ourselves. The evening's theme was "Wintry Beacon Hill" – we'd all be creating the same painting, with the help of an artist (and the help of booze, too – The Paint Bar's name is no accident).
At first, when my friend suggested a night out for painting, I hesitated. The last time I had picked up a paintbrush was grade school. I wasn't much of an artist then, and didn't expect to see any improvement (or hidden skills) since. But then, I thought, why not?
I wasn't alone in my skepticism.
"No negativity!" our instructor announced at the beginning of our class. She encouraged us to follow her lead, take our time, and silence our inner critics. And under her tutelage, we got started.
Here's how it works:
The Paint Bar regularly hosts painting classes, each devoted to a single theme/particular painting. The night I visited, we painted a scene from Beacon Hill; other upcoming classes on the calendar include Winter on the Cape, Water Lily Pond, and Caribbean Paradise, among many others. Fees typically cost $25 to $45 per person and include all painting supplies (16" x 20" canvas, easel, paint, brushes, and a smock).
Once there, the hostess seats you and your party together (be sure to reserve as a group if you're going with friends). Get your paint (specific instructions are posted for what you need for that night's painting), and settle in at your table – or grab a drink and snack from the bar. For an additional charge, the bar serves beer, wine, and light snacks (e.g., chips, nuts, cookies, and the like).
Afternoon classes start at 2 p.m.; evening classes begin at 7 p.m. It's recommended that painters arrive half an hour beforehand. All classes last two-and-a-half hours.
Our artist/teacher, Kelly, was warm and engaging. Instructors stand on a raised platform, so all can see, and also are mic-ed, so they're easy to hear. Each step is clearly explained ("I'm going to make a mark with yellow paint about an inch up from the bottom-left corner of my canvas", "Fill in the right-hand space here with both brown and black paint with your round brush"). Creativity within the constraints of the painting are encouraged ("Add as much snow as you want!").
At the end of the two-and-a-half hour session, my friends and I had four original works of art. And while they all looked similar, of course, each was different enough that we could tell our individual works apart. Our canvases were now ours to keep—a fun memento from an out-of-the-ordinary night out.
As someone who considers herself not at all crafty or skilled, art-wise, I found that The Paint Bar offered a fun—and surprisingly affirming—experience. I recommend it highly for families, date night, girls' night out, or corporate retreats.
I visited the Newtonville location, and there is also a second location downtown on Newbury Street. If you're looking for something beyond dinner and a movie—or just want to flex your creative muscle—check out The Paint Bar for a creative diversion.
Have you been to The Paint Bar? What did you think? Or, is there another Boston-area establishment you'd like me to review? Send me an email with your requests and I'll consider them for a future story!
Photo courtesy Melissa Johannes
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