Paintbar Bangkok, the city’s bar combining art and nightlife

Bangkok, the busy and messy capital city of Thailand. There is one area in Bangkok that is popular among foreigners called Thonglor or Sukhumvit, and there is a community mall where both Thais and foreigners prefer to have breakfast and spend their day. This place is called Piman 49. It is located at Sukhumvit Soi 49 in the Thonglor area. There are many restaurants, shops and activities for people to enjoy. I will bring you to one side of a building in Piman 49, this building has 6 floors, and the place where I will bring you to meet is Paintbar Bangkok.

Paintbar Bangkok, a hidden space on the 6th floor of one building in Piman 49 complex, where art and nightlife are combined. It might seem contradictory that arts and drinking places were put together, but this place successfully made it. I went to this place on 22 February 2020 with my friend to take part in a painting class from 10 am until 2 pm in the afternoon.

The Paintbar label

This is my first time doing something in the artistic field after graduating from high school, and I think it was great spending time there. I used to be a person who was not good at art. I didn't have any confidence to draw and paint. This place pulled me out of my comfort zone where I didn’t dare to do something artistic. Because of Paintbar’s slogan that emphasizes that you don’t need to have an art background, it attracted me to join the class as there will be no judgement if I don’t paint beautifully. Even though now I am still not good at art, this place just gives me a chance to draw and paint again after I keep away from doing art for many years. Another reason that I joined the painting class is that I want to experience what I would feel when I am painting, and I wanted to find out it is true that painting really helps increase relaxation and decrease stress.

How to join

Before going to paint at Paintbar Bangkok, I have checked the schedule 1 month before the day I plan to go. The schedule will be out at the end of every month, and you have to choose a picture that you want to paint and arrange your date and time based on their schedule. Each session will run for 2-3 hours. Importantly, you have to make the reservation before you go via Line and pay the painting fees which cost 799 bath including painting tools like frame, acrylic colors and paintbrushes.

Contact and reservation information

The atmosphere

My first step into this place makes me feel like I've entered the studio of a real artis. The room is full of basic art tools available for participants to use. Several small table tops with painting frames are arranged in rows around the room. We can decide wherever we want to sit, and the position which I decided to sit is near the windows. There are many factors that support this place giving a sense of calmness such as the square room, instructors, quietness and music. I think the most powerful thing was the music. The playlist that this place opens is international music that has melodies that combine relaxation and smooth rhythms. This place also has a kind of mini-bar where you can order food and beverage to enjoy while you are painting.

The table tops and frames are placed in a row

Process of painting

The process of painting begins when the instructor comes directly to me and starts teaching me to create layers of the painting by using acrylic colour combined with water. The picture that I choose to paint is like a house surrounded by mountains and trees. The instructor said that “This is the hard one to paint as it has many details”. We can choose to colour in whatever way our imagination wants this picture to be, and the picture of this house in my head would be like a house during spring season when the color of trees and leaves will be in a warm tone, which is brown, orange and yellow. Almost two hours passed by, the background of my painting was done then I had to layout the house and trees by using white color. This process might be hard for  non-artist like me, but luckily the instructor came to help me draw some parts. Time passed by quicklily and unconsciously like a common quote in reality that “time flies when you’re having fun”. When you’re done painting your picture, the instructor will tell you to write your name on it to indicate who painted this painting. Then, the instructor will give you a plastic bag to put your painting in and the session is over.

Sample picture and the layout

Improve your mood better

“Just simple happiness in life can make time seem to pass more quickly.” This sentence popped into my head while I was painting. Who would know that people like me who do not like painting, drawing or doing art will have this feeling. The feeling that gives me a sense of calm and peace by doing things that are not in my preferred activity list. I am very focused on what I am doing at that time. Even the reality around me and the environment outside this place are so busy and chaotic, my mind is full of calmness because of doing a hands-on activity in this place which is painting. 

My painting of small houses in spring season

Instructors

I had a chance to talk with one instructor asking her about information that I want to know. As there are so many participants, I didn't have a chance to ask the names of the two instructors by the way they are so nice, friendly and very helpful. What I get is that all instructors here were specialized in art meaning that they graduated from faculty of art. She also talked about here, Paintbar, that she didn’t work here regularly, yet there are more instructors switching depending on schedule and pictures each day. Some day if there are many participants over 20 people, there will be more than 3 instructors for taking care and helping if participants asked. For example, the day that I go, there are around 15-16 participants. So, two instructors are enough. One impression about instructors is that they are very helpful. When I struggle to draw or paint, I just raise my hand up, and they will come to me immediately. This situation makes me feel that Paintbar is like a place where I have taken part in such as an art school since when I was young. Another impression is that instructors here are very cheerful. While they are walking around the room, they will stop and give some cheerful words to participants. I didn’t get just words, but sentences that make someone like me with no art skills feel confident to paint. The sentence that she said is that “Your style of colour was nice and cute, Good job.” Even my painting was not actually that good, but some little encouragement can truly enhance happiness and confidence. Before leaving there, I asked one instructor about painting and relaxation. She said that “I think it does help to relax somehow as when I am painting I forget everything and just focus on painting.” This might be one answer for my interest in art as therapy.

A very helpful instructor

Participant’s perspective

I didn’t have a chance to talk with other participants except Pat, my friend who went there with me. Before going there, we both questioned ourselves: can we actually paint? But, when it comes to the day, I heard words from Pat repeatedly. She always said “Oh! I can do it, I can paint” with the feeling of surprise with herself. There will be sometime that she is silent, and the reason for silence is that she puts all of her attention to painting. This circumstance is able to respond to what I am interested in and answer the question: does painting really help calm our minds? By looking at Pat's actions, the answer is there. Not only with Pat, as I observe others doing it as well. All of them looked to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. And, they also have the same actions of focusing and concentrating while painting.

All participants are focused

New experience and emotion

Even though my drawing skill sucks, I think this painting is quite beautiful for me. I can say that painting by using acrylic colour is such a new experience in my life. When I studied art at school, I used to paint with watercolor, crayon and most often coloured pencils. And, painting here at Paintbar Bangkok gives me space to express what I want. It is a comfort zone that nobody can judge whether my painting is beautiful or ugly. Actually, I am quite proud of it, and I think there will be a next time for me to paint, not necessary at Paintbar, yet maybe anywhere and anytime that I want to. For those who want to explore their artistic side, try to find the time to spend and release your creativity here at Paintbar Bangkok.