New Restaurant Alert: Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio

(SPOT.ph) A typical Friday night in Manila consists of a group of friends at a bar or pub sipping a glass of red while devouring a big juicy steak or simply having their weekly dose of chikahan while sharing that bucket of ice-cold beer. These pairings have been a staple in the metro for years, but who knew drinking could be enjoyed while painting? Yes, we have seen Barney Stinson enjoy fine wine with his friends at an art show in How I Met Your Mother; but this concept is unheard of in Manila. Enter Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio, a completely unique and fairly new concept studio that combines drinking and painting into the mix.

Christopher Cruz, Sip & Gogh's operations manager and co-owner, vividly remembers that one night with his friends enjoyed over a bottle of wine that led to the Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio. "Carlo, one of the owners, attended this painting party in New York and was inspired by it," Cruz says. With their collective knowledge of managing a business, and a shared love for art and wine that they want to bring to the Filipinos, the creation of this concept studio was not far-off.

The first-of-its-kind in the country, Sip & Gogh is a space where diners can paint their own piece of art while sipping a glass of wine. The pensive atmosphere becomes a therapeutic place for anyone to unwind, relax, and get creative. With that, it's just as fun to do alone as it is with friends, family, or a significant other.

Light complimentary snacks were served with our glass of wine

To those whose knowledge and use of art is limited to their Crayola and watercoloring days from grade school, Sip & Gogh studio is not looking for the next museum superstar. Just bring the same enthusiasm from grade school and you're all set. The packages vary but all sessions include a complete set of art materials, an apron, light snacks, and a glass of wine (they also serve non-alcoholic beverages for kids and adults alike). (Check their website for events and packages--they also host parties and team building events!)

All sessions likewise include a step-by-step guide by an in-house instructor on sketching, painting, and using the proper brush strokes. The difficult part is not the act of painting but deciding on which painting to replicate. You can choose from their wide array of art on canvass with varying difficulties or if you're feeling inspired, you can create your own masterpiece. The best part is getting to take home your piece of artwork and the sense of pride it brings.

An array of canvasses that one can replicate at Sip & Gogh

One of their in-house instructors giving instructions to one of the patrons

Sip & Gogh's sessions are meant to attract a varied crowd -- from kids, couples, families, and barkadas, to co-workers who need to let off some steam. All you need is enthusiasm and a thirst for art. "Our primary objective is to bring art and wine appreciation to the Filipinos" says Cruz. And that they did.