Gentlemen, I am about to break the sacred code. Don’t worry; I’m not referring to disclosing the secret handshake (I’ll take that to my grave). And what happens in Vegas always stays in Vegas… I’m referring to “not minding,” no, “thoroughly enjoying,” an activity that has historically drawn a largely female crowd: a paint and wine bar…
I was skeptical when my two daughters and I, along with my wife, went to “Muse Paintbar” in Tribeca on Mother’s Day. I knew they’d love it (they were talking about it for weeks), but it just didn’t sound like me – I’m not the artsy type. Write a restaurant review, yes. Tour a landmark and people watch to see how much they love it? Absolutely. Paint sunsets and silhouettes, not really!
I was dead wrong…
Muse is a bar and an art studio in one. That combination in and of itself draws out your creative side. If you didn’t feel like laying down some acrylic when you walked in, by your second glass of Cab Sav. you definitely will have changed your mind!
The studio, eh bar, no studio, was inspirational. Bright paintings from lessons of the recent past adorn the loft style brick walls. And the choice of art and paint-by-numbers style guidance makes anyone far better than they really should be.
Participants start with a blank canvas, five paintbrushes and four or five globs of paint. The instructor will literally show you, stroke by stroke, what to do from beginning to end. From mixing the paint to painting the background, to adding the foreground, no detail is left to chance. Two hours later and you’re done.
Somewhere in there your creative genius will kick in. Muse encourages its patrons to express themselves, so if you want to deviate, go for it! My painting on the right, was an adaptation of the original (shown at the top) because I have two daughters, not just one. I didn’t want to take the chance that either would feel sad that Dad didn’t choose them for the painting. My solution? I adapted.
Who Should Go?
The short answer is everyone. This is a wonderful place to take the family, but it’s equally as nice for a first date (in fact, it very well could be the best first date either partner has been on!).
Cost?
All in, including paint, finger food (that’s all they serve) and drinks, about $75 per person. That’s less than a decent dinner out. The menu had options for those that are gluten free (my wife) and vegetarian (my wife again). I didn’t check anything else.
Muse Paint Bar has 14 locations, but the one in Manhattan is located in Tribeca. Muse Paintbar really is paint, wine and a hell of a good time!
Enjoy!
Geoff
