Best Paint and Sip London: 14 classes to discover your inner Picasso

Paint and sip, sip and paint, wine and paint - whatever you want to call it, you can’t deny that it’s taking over. As we all search for new, exciting things to do with our friends, colleagues and our spare time, paint parties have grown in popularity, with more and more venues offering an alternate way to spend an evening. More than just a night at a local boozer, paint and sip is a fun, laidback way to socialise with friends, or even meet new people.

So, what is paint and sip? In a nutshell, paint and sip events are relaxed painting classes, designed as a sociable way to hang out with your friends, meet new friends and learn a new skill at the same time. American painting instructor Wendy Lovoy was one of the first to start holding paint and sip parties back in 2002 - when hosting painting classes for adults, she noticed that adults tended to spend much more time deliberating and analysing their work. By comparison, children tend to just paint on feeling and emotion, without questioning what they’re doing or worrying about whether it’s good or not. Introducing a BYOB element meant that adults could relax and treat painting as a social exercise, rather than a task, and thus, paint and sip was born.

Fast forward and paint and sip has skipped across the pond, taking hold in London and other cities around the UK. The beauty of paint and sip is that it requires no previous experience, and gives you and your friends or colleagues a calm, pleasant space to learn something new. Most classes are run by experienced artists and instructors who can give you valuable advice and feedback on your painting, and at the very least, it’s a fun way to relax with the group, enjoy a couple of drinks and do something a bit different. Many people enjoy drink and paint so much it becomes a regular weekly or monthly hobby, and you can add painting to your list of skills!

We’ve picked out some of our favourite paint and drink London events - many of these have regular locations, but some tend to move from venue to venue with events across the capital. You'll also find several others that are available for private hire should you wish to hold a teambuilding event at your office, for example. Scroll down to read about our favourite London paint and sip classes.

Rembrandt van Wine

What: Art aficionados will not want to miss this sip and paint spot in the heart of Islington, offering regular events where you can create your own neon masterpieces that will have you painting everything from abstract artworks to scenic safari landscapes. For just £35 a person, you’ll get to experience the ultimate glow-in-the-dark painting workshop, with all materials provided and unlimited booze throughout the evening, so you're getting excellent value for money.
Where: 159 – 163 Marlborough Road, N19 4NF
Book now: Rembrandt van Wine

art’otel London Battersea Power Station

What: One of the capital’s most art-focused hotels seems like a natural place to release your creativity, with occasional pop ups at their Battersea art studio. Work alongside renowned artists who’ll lead you through the process, and help you to create your very own masterpiece. Most recently, guests worked alongside Roman Lokati to create stunning coastal landscapes. Tickets include a glass of Prosecco, with other drinks and nibbles available for purchase.
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ
Book now: art'otel London Battersea Power Station

Pinot & Picasso

What: Pinot & Picasso has studios in Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool and London, and as the name suggests, specialises in customisable wine and paint classes with helpful art instructors. Plump for one of Pinot & Picasso’s weekly classes where you can paint your pet, your partner, or recreate famous artworks, or talk to the team about doing your own custom painting. If you're looking for a class in an extra special setting then you also have the option to attend one of their classes taking place at The Brush Grand Café.
Where: 32 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PG
Book now: Pinot & Picasso

PopUp Painting

What: PopUp Painting holds regular events at London Art Bar, which is tucked in between Holborn and Chancery Lane stations. It's a great place to hang out with a drink but even better if you’re looking to improve your painting or drawing. PopUp Painting's classes are open to all comers, and they're themed, so each week you can learn something new, from pop art to Picasso.
Where: 300-302 High Holborn, WC1V 7JH
Book now: PopUp Painting

Paintvine

What: One of the UK’s biggest and most popular paint and sip nights, Paintvine hosts regular classes all over London where you can rock up and paint with no previous experience or equipment. Most classes involve recreating a famous artwork from history, but Paintvine has also started doing sip and sculpt evenings too for wannabe sculptors. For something a bit different, why not book onto their After Dark events, featuring ultraviolet lights and glow in the dark paints.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Paintvine

Brush & Bubbles

What: Brush & Bubbles pair Tiff and Lara first met at a casting call whilst both chasing their acting dreams. They bonded over shared love of paint and prosecco, and now the lively pair host paint parties at their Goodwins Court studio in Covent Garden. Check the calendar on the website for dates - the classes are almost daily, offering keen painters the opportunity to try their hand at scenic landscapes and funky pop-art designs, whatever strikes your fancy.
Where: 11 Goodwins Court, WC2N 4LL
Book now: Brush & Bubbles

Art Play London

What: Specialising in creative workshops for adults and children, Art Play’s sip and paint nights are among the most popular. All materials and drinks are provided (you get a free drink when you arrive too), and there’s even a bottomless prosecco option if you’re celebrating.  Friday and Saturday nights mix things up a bit with a rather lively Vibe n’ Paint evening, with a live DJ playing old school hip hop, afro beats or R&B and an unguided paint party - for those who don’t like following instructions.
Where: 16 Horner Square, E1 6AA
Book now: Art Play London

Wimbledon Art Studios

What: Wimbledon Art Studios is a large art collection that offers studio space to a diverse community of over 250 independent artists, and many of those artists hold classes within the studios. These classes range from more serious drawing and painting tutorials to paint and sip classes - check the calendar for any upcoming events, or get in touch with the team.
Where: 10 Riverside Yard, SW17 0BB
Book now: Wimbledon Art Studios

Finsbury Park Painting Club

What: This easy-going, BYOB paint and sip class takes place right by Finsbury Park station, making it a doddle to get to. All the materials are provided, and the groups are friendly and sociable, so you can come with a friend or to make friends once you're there. Weekly classes teach colour theory, the art of palette knife painting and plenty more - arrive a novice, but leave somewhat of an expert.
Where: 7 Stroud Green Road, N4 2DQ
Book now: Finsbury Park Painting Club

Paint Party Social Club

What: This London-based events team brings the paint party to you, organising paint and sip parties for hen and stag dos, creative team building, birthdays and more. You can get in touch with the team to organise your own event, or head down to Paint Party Social Club’s monthly sip and paint class at The Railway Pub in Teddington. Everything is provided for you, from the vibrant aprons to the lively tunes.
Where: 3 Victoria Road, TW11 0BB
Book now: Paint Party Social Club

ArtistAnd

What: ArtistAnd founder and teacher China Jordan has spent a career in fine art painting and drawing, studying with master painters and managing art galleries in Mayfair. Now China holds her own weekly, monthly, online or in-person classes where you can improve your drawing and painting skills. These classes are aimed at beginners who want to meet new people, have some fun and learn new skills in realistic drawing and painting.
Where: Various locations
Book now: ArtistAnd

Life Drawing at The Exhibit Balham

What: Every Thursday, life drawing tutor Dan Whiteson (of the Wallace Collection and Village Underground) teaches a life drawing session at The Exhibit in Balham. It’s a creative, fun session for all comers, with drinks flowing and music playing, and the class is fully tutored, with all abilities welcome.
Where: 12 Balham Station Road, SW12 9SG
Book now: The Exhibit

Don't Wake The Neighbours

What: Don’t Wake The Neighbours hold events in and around south London, where you can gather the squad together to eat, drink, party and paint pictures of your favourite icons. Nights are themed - one week you might be painting hip hop legends like Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Biggie, the next you might be painting movie stars, all to an old school R'n'B soundtrack.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Don't Wake The Neighbours

Party N Paint

What: If you’re looking for something with a bit more of a paint party atmosphere, look no further than the accurately-named Party N Paint, which lays of drinks, moody neon lighting and live DJs playing 90s club classics. Events take place every weekend, popping up in locations all across the capital - so be sure to check out the calendar for an event near you. This is the perfect option for stag and hen parties, as well as birthday celebrations.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Party N Paint

Looking for more ideas for team building? Check out these brilliant team away day venues around the UK.