Love painting? Love drinking? You’ll adore Pinot & Picasso which is bringing painting parties to Leeds city centre.
It’s massive in Australia and New Zealand, now Pinot & Picasso is bringing its innovative sip & paint studios to the UK. Following on from venues in London, Liverpool and Brighton, Leeds is next on the agenda for their fourth UK home. They’ve taken over a former hairdressers in Central Arcade off Briggate where they’re going to host city centre nights filled with fun, art and a glass of something strong – if you so wish!
It all started down under in 2018. School pals and founders James Crowe and Aaron Carrasco started with a single tiny studio in Penrith, Western Sydney, but they soon found they’d struck gold. People really responded to the opportunity to socialise while doing something fun and creative, to the point that there are now over 80 studies across Australasia. Package that success with James and Aaron’s love of travel, it was only a matter of time before they looked to the UK.
“It’s been quite successful in Australia and New Zealand, and we’ve had the opportunity to bring them out here and open locations in Shoreditch in London, Liverpool and Brighton and Leeds is our fourth site. And Leeds has always been high on my priority list because the city feels good. It’s not like being in London, where you’re kind of just in a sea of people, you very much exist as a part of what’s going on in that community. And I think that people in Yorkshire like to have a good time.”
It’s taken them a little while to find their perfect Leeds home, but the former King Koby barbers is the perfect space – big enough to host groups of people, as well as having enough room to have their very own bar. The amount of space is important, because although you can book in with a small rabble of friends if you like, the Paint & Picasso experience really lends itself to group outings, from birthday celebrations to work parties, hen dos to baby showers.
So how does it work? Well, you go their website, find a class and a date that suits you and your group, then head down to their very own city centre home, with prices starting from £39 per person. Once inside, you’ll be welcomed by their hosts and given a chance to head to the bar to get a drink before you sit down at your painting station. Depending on what the session theme is, the music will start and you’ll get to work on your canvas, complete with all the equipment you need.
The range of classes is really something else, running throughout the week but with the bulk of the sessions spread between Fridays and Sundays. They always have a theme and there’s plenty of variation. Kalimera shines a light on Greek art, An Amalfi Morning takes you to the warm shores of Italy and Mt Fuji transports you to Japan. But that’s just the start – there’s Paint Your Partner and Paint Your Pet sessions, Glow In the Dark parties and Textured Art classes too.
However, one session in particular stands out for Jamie and it’s one for the hip-hop heads and nostalgia lovers. “I think that RNB Neon Nights sessions are the go-to I think,” he told us. “We’ve got Tupac, Biggie Smalls and Beyonce artworks that you can have a go at. I think that they’re the most fun and the music is awesome. It’s all done in the dark with UV lights and neon paints and it’s really special. I think it’s one of the best experiences that we’ve got.”
Unlike other sip and paint experiences in Leeds, which take place in already established bars and restaurants in the city, Pinot & Picasso’s venue is their own which means they’ve been able to put in a bar in ready for all the budding artists to use. They’ve got the lauded Black Lines pre-batched cocktails ready to pour alongside low-intervention natural wines from New Theory and craft beers from a local favourite – North Brewing Co.
So there you have it, Pinot & Picasso have arrived in Leeds ready to mix up your nights out in Leeds with a bit of fun and creativity. You don’t have to visit the same old places or have the same old experiences, you can now gather up your group of friends (or arrange that super special occasion), get a few tipples in and have fun at the canvas. Who knows, you might find you’ve got skills you never knew you had… or you can just have a belting night out!
Pinot & Picasso, 22 Central Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DX. It opens on Friday 31st May 2024.
