BYOB Painting and Big Star

I can’t remember how I came across www.dabblehq.com, but they offer “fun, affordable and unique classes” in Chicago. Other cities are in the works, based on your feedback. Classes are $20 and completely random like cupcake decorating, intro to martial arts, urban composting, Photoshop, brew your own beer, how to speak confidently, preparing for your first dog and the randomness goes on…

I chose to drink and paint at Arts n Spirits in Bucktown. You bring the booze and they provide the supplies where an instructor guides you on how to create the featured painting. BYOB + Arts and Crafts is my kinda night! J It also turns out that one of the owners is my brother in law’s friend! Chicago is such a small city sometimes! I love how he and his business partner (the painter/instructor) opened this place as a creative outlet aside from their 9-5pm "cubicle" jobs.

Street parking was easy and isn't pay box-ed. Supplies (brushes, canvas, easel, aprons, bottle openers, cups) are provided....

Different paintings are featured on different days...

The instructor gives you step by step instructions and no experience/skills are required. Here's how my creation evolved...

And Agatha's...

For someone who says she doens't like matchy matchy - her painting, outfit and tattoo sure do look alike...

It was fun and something different to do. Now that we've taken a Wooden Spoon cooking class and painting, what's next?!

Big Star in Wicker Park has been on my list of places to try and it was just a long walk down the street. Being 10pm on a Wednesday night, we figured it wouldn’t be busy. Turns out there was still a waiting list for the huge patio area. Even though we could SEE empty tables. Instead of waiting, we ordered from the walkup window and ate at a picnic type table. The only difference between the walkup area and the patio is that you can’t have booze. Agatha had some horchata instead.

I ordered one fish taco and one pork belly taco. It’s very rare where I’ll pass up pork belly on a menu. The tacos were delish! It was dark out and the menu isn't online, so I can't tell you exactly what was in them. mMmMM I love good tacos in corn tortillas. And my order came with a random chicken lollipop? By the time we were done, we still saw the SAME EMPTY tables in the patio area. Psssh bogus! Can you imagine what it's like on a weekend?! Regardless, we still enjoyed our meal outside on an 85 degree summer night. I wanted to try Miko's Italian Ice on the way back, but it was already closed L   

I feel like summer is quickly flying by and you have to take advantage of every al fresco opportunity you get!

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