Paint Nite a popular new option for a night out

Paint Nite is a trendy alternative to traditional night-out activities across the country, and the Cape Region is no exception.

Pairing a night at the bar with an amateur artists’ workshop has proven to be a lucrative idea. In 2012, Paint Nite’s founders funded the start-up with about $7,000 in Boston. Now, the company makes $50 million and growing – rapidly – a year, hosting events in 135 North American cities as well as the U.K. and South Africa, and has plans to expand.

Social media has played a big part in Paint Nite’s popularity. The company is highly visible on Instagram and Facebook and frequently offers deals through Groupon.

Here in Delaware, Chrissy Bunting of Ocean View instructs Paint Nites four or five nights a week. She recently instructed an event at the Delaware Distilling Company in Lewes, where participants painted “Crazy Daisy.”

“Everybody grab your skinny brush; make sure it’s nice and wet! Now, dip into your black!” Bunting commanded cheerfully over a head-worn mic.

She buzzed about the room, aiding anyone in need of assistance. Her instruction is included in the $45 ticket price, as well as a canvas and painting supplies.

“She really knows her stuff,” commented a participant.

DDC manager Pat McGerhin said the event benefits the hosting bar or restaurant in several ways. Neither food nor drink is included in the ticket price, so the host reaps the rewards of those sales. In addition, Paint Nite fills seats on nights that might otherwise be slow; DDC has sold out each event it has hosted.

Perhaps most importantly, McGerhin explained, “It exposes people who’ve never been here before to the restaurant. They compliment our food and our service, and then they come back.”

Pam and Keesha Chandler of Lincoln were having a great time at Paint Nite.

“I saw it all over Facebook; all my friends were doing it,” Keesha said. “I’m glad we came. I’m having a lot of fun.”

Jimmy Didomenicis was one of two men at the event. “My fiancée’s been wanting us to do this for a while,” he explained. While Paint Nite’s demographic seems to be predominantly female, Didomenicis said he’d do it again. “I’m going to hang my painting in our nursery.”

The other male participant, Tim Brown, actually has some artistic experience of his own. However, Paint Nite events are for everyone, of any skill level. As Brown explained, “At a bar, beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!”