(The water view that the rest of the class painted didn’t hold personal resonance for us, and if your amateur (i.e. And she took it personally, not hiding her reaction, that my guest and I chose to paint our own topics, even though she’d begun the class telling us that we could paint anything we liked. That being said, she seemed to be someone who teaches a lot of children, from her sing song encouragement that could come across a bit hollow or condescending to an adult. She gave help that was useful, instead of just saying “looks great, keep going” to everyone. Her colorful and helpful descriptions of what to do, and upbeat attitude helped keep us going. She had experience with the class’s target artwork, giving clear instructions including funny names for some of the brush strokes. At 30 people, the class was large for a single instructor, but she did find time to visit and speak with us multiple times, even taking a moment to paint a flourish we couldn’t quite handle on our own.

Our instructor was encouraging and clear. Muse Paintbar is meant for those with no experience, and while you can buy a 3-pack of classes or more at discount, they don’t seem to have a track for advancement to students with experience wishing more difficult paintings. Each of the example paintings hung on the walls is a careful balance of an interesting topic but not too advanced for beginners in a single evening’s class. The class is well organized and our instructor, who thankfully had a microphone, was easily heard, painting each step along with the class, unlike our recent experience making pottery in Brookline where the instructor dumped 10 steps on us before we touched the clay. The class alternates between instruction from a single teacher, and recent pop music as you try to paint. When you arrive you’re given a smock and a seat at a work table with a blank canvas and palette of colors. Our night, a Monday, drew more than 30 people, which only filled half of the place. (There is no regular bar seating.) Classes take place 7 days a week, giving you an option for a slow Monday, and allowing you to pick from their website which work you are most interested to paint. I’d just been to review PopUp Painting in London, a similar event, and am glad to say that we enjoyed Muse Paintbar more, because it was better organized and led, hosted in a space wholly dedicated to painting classes. At Patriot Place, you’ll find red wine, white wine, beer, and snacks including a hummus platter, chips and dip, baby carrots and dip, pretzels, chicken fingers, pizza, meatballs, and ice cream. Admission includes a drink but of course they hope that you’ll buy more. At the end of the class, if you like your work you can take it home with you. You learn to paint with acrylics, onto either a 16″ x 20″ canvas, wine glasses, or mason jars. You pay an inexpensive fee and join a class with a twist of party experience. Muse Paintbar has 11 locations just in New England, with more beyond, and we were grateful to be invited to their location at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts for this review. What’s better than going to a bar? A painting party at Muse Paintbar, where you learn to paint in a social atmosphere that happens to serve snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

Paint night muse bar