Drink & Draw: Paint A Masterpiece

The best thing about Drink & Draw is that it is not really a quiet art lesson. It is a two-hour art party in Dublin’s Smithfield, with loud music, drinks available to buy, a canvas in front of you, and a final speed-painting round set to the song playing. You do not need to know your acrylics from your elbows.

I like that everything needed to paint is supplied, including the canvas, apron, and paint. I also like the freedom to make the picture your own, rather than copy a strict classroom example. The main caution is simple: the event depends on the correct start time and booking details, so check these carefully before leaving for the venue.

Key points to know before booking

• A paint party, not a silent class: Expect loud music, drinks, jokes, and a social room rather than a hushed lesson.
• Your materials are included: The canvas, apron, and paint are provided, with a different theme used on different nights.
• The speed-painting finale is the wild card: You paint in response to a song, often quickly and with little time to overthink your work.
• No art experience is required: The instructor offers useful art tips, but the focus is on having a good time.
• You take your painting home: Your finished canvas becomes a souvenir of the evening.
• The venue is central: Meet at This Must Be The Place, 42 Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin 7, and finish at the same spot.

Arriving at This Must Be The Place in Smithfield

Your meeting point is This Must Be The Place at 42 Arran Quay in Smithfield, Dublin 7. The activity begins and ends here, so you will not need to change locations halfway through the evening.

The venue is close to public transportation, which is useful if you are fitting this into a Dublin city break. The supplied information does not give a detailed route from the city center, so check your own journey before setting out. You will want to arrive with enough time to find the venue and settle in, rather than rushing in as the paint is being handed out.

The group can have up to 20 people. That is large enough for a proper party atmosphere, but still small enough for the instructor to offer individual help. It also makes this a practical choice for a birthday outing, a night with friends, or a couple looking for something different from a standard pub evening.

One important practical point deserves attention. There have been problems in the past with start times and booking records, including people arriving to find that the venue was not expecting the event or that the ticket showed a different hour. I would confirm the date, time, and booking directly before travelling, especially if you are taking time off work or arranging transport around the class.

Why the supplied art materials matter

You do not need to pack anything for the painting itself. Canvases, aprons, and paint are provided, which removes much of the usual worry about joining an art class while on holiday.

The apron is especially welcome. Painting with a group can get messy, and you may be more relaxed if you are not watching every brushstroke for fear of marking your clothes. I would still wear something comfortable and not precious, since an apron is useful protection but not a guarantee against every stray splash.

A different theme is used each night. That gives the class a sense of occasion and means the subject is not always the same. Since the exact theme is not specified in advance here, check the event details for your chosen date if the subject matters to you.

The supplied materials also make the session friendly to solo visitors. You can arrive without art equipment or a ready-made plan. The evening gives you a task, a seat, and a reason to talk with the people around you.

The painting session, with room for your own ideas

The main part of the evening is built around painting your canvas while music plays and drinks are available to purchase. This is not presented as formal training in technique. Instead, the instructor gives art tips and helps you get moving, then leaves space for your own decisions.

That balance is important. If you want a serious lesson in composition, color theory, or portrait technique, this may feel light on instruction. If you want permission to try something creative without worrying about getting every detail right, it makes much more sense.

You can follow the evening’s theme or push it in your own direction. The open approach was one of the strongest features for people who enjoyed the event, since it allows different skill levels to work side by side. A confident painter can add detail, while a beginner can keep the picture simple and still finish with something personal.

The instructor’s role appears to be part art coach and part host. Helpful tips are mixed with humor and general encouragement. That matters more here than a long technical lecture. The purpose is to keep the room moving and make sure nobody gets stuck staring at a blank canvas.

If you are coming alone, you can take part, but your experience may depend on how much you enjoy social events without a companion. The setup works for solo people, yet a friend or group gives you someone to compare paintings with and laugh with during the faster sections.

Loud music and drinks change the mood

The music is not background decoration. It is a central part of the evening, with upbeat songs playing loudly and breaks built into the activity. This makes the event feel closer to a creative night out than a traditional workshop.

You can purchase alcohol at the venue, but drinks are not described as included in the booking. Keep that distinction in mind when working out the value. Your ticket covers the organized painting experience and materials, while drinks are an additional cost.

The sound level may suit you if you want energy and conversation. It may not suit you if you hoped to hear long, detailed instructions or paint in peace. I would choose this event for its social mood, not for quiet concentration.

The music also gives the instructor a useful way to break up the painting. You are not expected to spend two straight hours carefully working on the same image. The changes in pace keep the session from becoming stale, especially for beginners who might otherwise run out of ideas.

The speed-painting round is the evening’s signature moment

Near the end, the class turns to a speed-painting round. You paint while listening to a song, responding quickly instead of carefully planning each mark.

This can be the funniest part of the night. You may find yourself making broad, frantic strokes and trying to capture the feeling of the song before it ends. One particularly memorable example involved painting along to Don’t Stop Me Now, which gives you a good idea of the pace and playful pressure involved.

Do not treat this as a test of artistic ability. The point is to react, keep moving, and enjoy the absurdity of trying to paint music. Your result may be rougher than the main canvas, but it can also be more expressive because you have stopped worrying about making everything neat.

If you are protective of your artwork, remember that this section is meant to be fast and loose. You may prefer to treat it as a game rather than a second finished painting. The music-based challenge is also a strong reason to choose this event over a standard paint class.

Taking your canvas home

At the end of the session, you take your painting with you. That gives the evening a useful payoff: you do not leave with only a few blurry photographs and a memory of the music.

The finished work will reflect your own skill, choices, and willingness to experiment. It may not look like something from a gallery, and the event does not promise that it will. That is part of the charm. You get a handmade souvenir of your time in Dublin, created during an evening you can remember for more than the drinks.

Think about transport if you are carrying a wet or delicate canvas afterward. The supplied information does not explain drying arrangements or packaging, so it is sensible to ask the venue how finished paintings are handled before you leave.

Who will enjoy Drink & Draw most

I would recommend this for:

• Friends who want an activity with more structure than sitting in a bar
• Couples looking for a playful date night
• Solo visitors who are comfortable joining a social group
• Beginners who want to paint without formal pressure
• People who enjoy music, drinks, and fast-moving group activities
• Anyone wanting a personal Dublin souvenir that is not mass-produced

It may be less suitable if you are seeking a quiet, highly technical art course. The loud music and party atmosphere are central to the format, not minor details.

It may also be a poor fit if you need strict certainty around timing and booking arrangements. The experience has received a middling overall rating of 3.9 from 16 ratings, with praise for creativity and enjoyment but serious complaints about people arriving at the wrong time or finding that the booking was not recognized. Confirming the details is worth the small effort.

Is the two-hour format good value?

No ticket price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost in euros. I can still explain what you are paying for.

The value comes from a ready-made social evening. Your booking includes the organized activity, instruction, canvas, apron, paint, and the chance to take your work home. You are also getting the venue, music, and a planned finale rather than having to organize a painting night yourself.

Drinks cost extra, so add that to your budget. If you compare this with a simple drink in Dublin, the class will cost more because you are paying for materials and a hosted activity. If you compare it with a formal art workshop, it may offer less technical teaching but more entertainment.

For me, the value is strongest when you want an experience for two or more people. A group can share the jokes, compare the different canvases, and turn the speed round into a proper contest. Solo visitors can still enjoy it, but the social return depends more on your own willingness to chat.

Booking, cancellation, and access

Confirmation is sent at the time of booking. The activity is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 20 people.

Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the supplied details do not give a full accessibility description. If you have specific mobility, seating, or venue-access needs, contact the provider before booking.

The cancellation policy is straightforward. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses Dublin local time.

The event also requires a minimum number of people. If that minimum is not reached and the activity is cancelled, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Drink & Draw?

Book it if you want a social Dublin night with paint, music, and a little friendly chaos. The supplied materials make it easy for beginners, the open format lets you work at your own level, and the speed-painting round gives the evening a memorable finish.

I would not book it expecting a quiet studio lesson or detailed professional training. I would also confirm the start time and booking with Alternative Dublin before travelling, given the past confusion around event times and reservations.

For friends, couples, and creative solo visitors who like a lively room, this is a fun change from the usual Dublin evening. For serious painters, it is probably better viewed as entertainment with brushes than as a course.

FAQ

Where does Drink & Draw take place?

It takes place at This Must Be The Place, 42 Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Ireland.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

Is the activity held in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Do I need previous painting experience?

No. The activity is suitable for all art skill levels, and no experience is necessary.

Are painting materials provided?

Yes. A canvas, apron, and paint are provided.

Can I take my painting home?

Yes. You can take your finished painting home at the end of the session.

Are drinks included in the booking?

No drinks are listed as included. Alcohol can be purchased at the venue.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.