Barrett O.

I came across this cool place while dining with the family at Burgatory, next door. It's located in Homestead at the Waterfront in Homestead and I think "Paint Monkey" is a fabulous idea! I stopped by to take a closer look and had an informative chat with Jesse Seybert, who is a fine arts teacher and part of the staff here. It's a large cheerful open space with lots of colors and if you've never painted before or if you're experienced painter there's something fun here for you. They have regularly scheduled classes where everyone paints the same painting. They guide you through the painting, step by step in a 2 -3 hour session and you will go home with your own piece of art. They provide you with a pre-sketched 16 x 20 stretched canvas, paints, and brushes, an apron so you just bring a smile :-) Oh, even though the paintings, or sketches, may all start out looking the same, you will immediately see how completely different everyone's turns out, I learned that in my very first art lesson. By the way, there's usually at least 30 paintings to choose from at all times. In addition to scheduled classes they do welcome walk-ins as well as private events and more and they sell art kits, and finished art, too. Bottom line: Discover your inner artist, brush up on your paint skills or just go there on a rainy day and paint a sunshine. Nice folks, great concept, recommend! Monday - Thursday 11:00am - 9:00pm Friday - Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm https://beapaintmonkey.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BeAPaintMonkeyWaterfront/

Joe T.

So much fun. If you don't do this you're missing out. I'm Not artistic and had a blast. Lots of fun on theme nights. Bring wine!!!

Rachel C.

This is probably one of those rare places that if I could give a million stars, I would! I just cannot stress how much fun this is! Are your ready for this review? Keep reading if you can handle a lot of exclamation points!!!!!! I've gotta be honest, when I first heard the name, I thought this would be one of those Color Me Mine studios where you paint weird ceramic objects that are so bad that you give them to your mom to display because you know she'll be the only one proud of your effort. But here, you're not painting weird objects next to 20 screaming 5-year-olds. You're in a really fun, quirky environment enjoying a couple glasses of adult bevvies. Adult bevvies you say? Why yes! It's BYOB, so you can bring in your favorite bottle of wine, or in my case, stop up the street at Arsenal Cider and grab a growler of the good stuff! Cups and ice are included, with some chocolate on the table to boot! So what do you do? Well, you walk in and there are 30 seats with a little set-up for you to create your masterpiece. A canvas, brushes, paints and even an apron! They have the drawing traced out for you already, so you don't have to free hand the thing. Which, for me, would turn into a total disaster! So you follow along as the teacher tells you which paint to put where, how to apply it and which colors to mix it with. As you paint, there's a fun playlist going that you can jam to (sorry to my neighbors who had to listen to me singing along to just about every song!). After you're done you get to take a picture with your painting in a pretty frame that they post on their Facebook page. So when you sign up online, you can choose what day you want to go depending on what painting they're doing. When I was there, we did the Georgia O'Keeffe flower (a poppy?). They have some really fun paintings to choose from in the coming weeks. Makes me want to come back and paint them all (Warhol, Pittsburgh skyline, modern designs, etc). For $35 you get a 2-hour session or $45 for a 3-hour session it's a perfect unique night out. And seriously, if you can't think of what to get a friend or family member for gift, this is thee perfect present! Although mine absolutely did not look like the original painting, I was still proud that I did something like that! I'm gonna be honest, it may still go to Mom, but it's because she'll be proud!

Rebecca G.

I have to admit, I did not like the sound of paint monkey at first. I thought, painting with strangers greeeaaattt... Imagine my surprise when I realized that: 1. I didn't have to paint what everyone else was painting (I hate conformity) 2. There is alcohol 3. They don't stand there and Bob-Ross you the whole time I expected boring, monotone, everyone doing the same thing trying to "put lipstick on a pig" if you know what I mean.... I got a fun night. That being said, I got a little too tipsy and ended up painting something akin to what it feels like living inside my brain... Inspired---maybe, artistic---probably, something you want to put on your walls---let's just put it this way, I gave my painting to my mom and found it hidden under her dresser 3 weeks later :( LOL. My advice, go here and follow directions and you will have a painting that is wall worthy. But, more importantly have fun!

Dana B.

I didn't really know what to expect when I first went to Paint Monkey. I knew what I was supposed to paint, but I wasn't sure how on earth I was going to do it. As someone who feels creative but hasn't really been able to figure out how to express it, I was anxious to see how I'd do. With the first outlines, I was so nervous! But then again, I'm also pretty self critical and never want to make a mistake. But co-owner and paint instructor, Joe, really made me feel like I totally had it. His directions were simple and easy to follow. I had some questions towards the end of my painting and he was there giving me the individual attention I needed, because at the end of the day, this is my painting and it's coming home with me. Mary Lou, the other co-owner, was super friendly and there to help out with paints and the all important encouragement. She really did make me feel comfortable in the space (which is great in itself) and made the atmosphere that much more fun and light. With an ipod playing nearby, the time flew by, and my painting was complete before I knew it. I painted a simple lily, but they have so many others to choose from. Some are fun and kid friendly and some are well-known masterpiece; think Dali and Picasso. With so many options, I intend to come back! I am so proud of my painting, and I can't wait to create more paintings that I can show off! I would recommend this to anyone. It's a great family outing, a fun activity with friends, a fantastic date night, a great way to meet new people, and a perfect stepping stone if you're trying to get in touch with your creative side.

Lauren G.

I went to Paint Monkey for an event with a rather large group. Upon entering the building I was immediately impressed. The exposed brick high ceiling warehouse atmosphere really gets your creative juices going while you rock out to the tunes played from an old school jute box! The staff was extremely friendly, offering up pointers when needed, but letting you express your own style if that's what you wanted to do. I appreciated that. Oh and the event was BYOB! (and BYOS - bring your own snacks! hehe) One cool thing they do is a pet day. You can send in pictures of your pet and if they pick it, they will instruct the class on how to paint your pet from a picture. It's way more my style since it is more create something new and less paint someone else's artwork. That is the class most worth checking out, in my opinion. Oh yeah, and they also offer classes for children. Great for parties for the little ones! I have done Colors & Bottles before and Paint Monkey totally blows them out of the water. You must check them out if you are someone interested in picking up a paint brush for the first time and want instruction.

Krisha C.

Wow Paint Monkey is a such a great time. What a ball, what a blast. My sister who is very artistic and who loves to paint accompanied me to the Paint an Easter Bunny class. I found the experience to be really nice and Joe is so charming. This was a children's class and everyone's paintings turned out amazingly nice. I think I over heard a guest say that she had been back three times. Next time I am going back for BYOB!

Chelsea M.

It isn't too often I review a place the same day that i visited, but I had such a fun time and I'm excited to share! My work had a party tonight. A coworker set it up, we all helped pick out the picture & paid individually. I believe it is 10 minimum for a private event. We picked a sunflower and I'm totally surprised how detailed and beautiful our art turned out. Paint Monkey helps ease the stress of painting by sketching the image for you. We were all very relaxed and enjoyed our time. The owners, Joe & Mary Lou are also husband and wife. Joe taught the class tonight and he did a great job. We were able to customize our piece by the shading as well as the background color. I'm so happy about my painting. It looks GREAT! I can't wait to head back with friends, family or my fiance to do another piece.

Marta N.

Looking for possibly the most fun and creative thing to do in Pittsburgh? Well, you found it! Paint Monkey?? Hmmmm. I heard rumor about this place, but didn't know what the deal was. I called up Mary Lou (who is super down to earth and awesome), and she explained it all. A byob art studio??? Wait, you can bring in snacks? And you are not painting like a 8x8 canvas tree? Unbelievable! I decided to put it to the test by surprising my husband. We love a great date night, and this one topped the charts. Armed with a picnic basket full of italian goodies, 2 bottles of wine, untapped creativity,and high hopes, we ventured into the studio. Based in a perfect location off the busy streets of Lawrenceville, the studio itself is welcoming with music in the backround and smiling faces. Everything is set up and ready to go for you. You apply your name tag (which I love, because I forget people's names easily) and meet others like you in search of a great evening. The painting selected was Starry Starry night by Van Gogh. Intimidating when you see it all finished, but Joe the other owner, made it seem so easy, taking you through step by step, but not in a "Paint by numbers" kind of way. He allowed you creative rights to the painting. A different shade, whatever you are feeling, because it is your painting. Soon, we were all finding our flow and really getting into it. The great conversation along the way, and singing along with the backround music happened naturally as you loosen up and start to feel comfortable with what we were doing. We were having a great time, and expressing ourselves in a way we haven't before, on canvas! The evening flew by, 3 1/2 hours was gone quickly as you get absorbed into your work and atmosphere. When we stepped back from our finished piece, we were so excited to find that they looked awesome!! We were so proud, and had the greatest time completing it. By the time we left, I was already planning on returning as soon as possible with a friend of mine, and also decided to book my birthday party here with my friends and family. I think it is a great way for people to mingle and let loose their creative potential. My parents have never picked up a paintbrush, I am so excited for them to experience this. Even now my husband and I check out our finished work side by side, and we love comparing our different styles. Don't wait to go here. As more and more people find out about it, it will be tough to get a spot!

Sarah D.

This place is awesome and the environment is so much fun! The instructor is so nice and they just make it really enjoyable. I did not think this would be my thing when I first went but now I cannot wait to go back. I love the fact that they already have it presketched. This makes it even more fun because the bones of the painting are already there. During the painting the instructor goes around the room and will give you pointers or help with questions you may have. The studio is so much fun, it is decorated and set up great! For a small room, it comfortably fits a lot of painters. There is also enough room for your BYOB wine!! The end result is that each person's painting turns out beautiful and a unique masterpiece! Non artistic do not fear, you can't have a bad painting.

Lauren C.

What an absolutely fantastic place!! I'm an accountant and it's probably fair to say that I am one of the least artistic people in Pittsburgh. I was a little nervous about coming here and doing something so outside of my comfort zone but I felt so welcome here. They were so encouraging while you were working on your painting providing tips and advice but also letting you be free to try your own hand at everything and go your own speed. I am proudly displaying my painting on a wall at my house! I loved that they were BYOB! They're also available for private parties and allow you to bring in your own snacks for the event. This is just such a terrific idea! For $35 for a two hour class, it's a great bargain!

Emily B.

I scheduled a private party for a family remember at the McCandless location (which isn't showing up on the map). Paint Monkey was great to work with to set up the party, although communication and getting in touch with them is a little spotty-- I had to follow up several times via phone and email. We picked our painting, brought food and drinks. We had such a fun time painting our Mason jar flowers. The instructor was nice and did not rush us at all. She went around and helped those struggling with their painting, and was patient with our group. The best thing about Paint Monkey? They trace the drawing on the canvas for you ahead of time! We will definitely be back.

Johannah C.

I went here on 3/20 for a bachelorette/ birthday party. We painted the first day of spring "Pansy." It was such an amazingly fun night! BYOB, snacks, and painting. I definitely want to go back for paint your pet night!