Paint & Sip Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst sits between the CBD and Paddington, and its stretch of William Street is where Art Masterclass Sydney runs its shopfront studio. It is a good choice for a group that wants a creative couple of hours before dinner or drinks nearby, and it goes a little further than a standard paint and sip. As well as BYO acrylic painting nights, the studio runs patterned ceramic painting, resin art and the workshop it is best known for: building a traditional Turkish mosaic lamp from coloured glass tiles and beads.

What to know before you book:

• Getting there: Museum and Kings Cross stations are both nearby, and street parking in Darlinghurst is scarce, so public transport or a rideshare is the easier option.
• The experience: an instructor takes the group through each step, no experience is needed, and everyone takes their finished piece home. The mosaic lamp class runs for about two and a half hours.
• Group size: private events need at least 8 guests and the studio can take up to 35.
• Booking lead time: private classes are arranged directly with the studio, so enquire early if you have a set date for a birthday, hens party or work event.
• Food and drinks: it is BYO only, so bring your own wine, beer or bottled alcohol. Apple tea and Turkish delight are served, small nibbles are welcome, and private events can be set up with room for a grazing table.

Public paint and sip classes are from $79 per person, mosaic lamp and ceramic painting sessions from $89 per person, and resin art is $139 per person. Canvas, paints, brushes and aprons are all supplied, so guests only need to turn up. For hens parties, birthdays, team building and Christmas parties, a private class lets the group choose between the mosaic lamp and ceramic painting workshops, with paint and sip also on the menu. It suits groups after something calm and hands-on rather than a loud night out.