Great Neck residents looking for something to do besides go out to eat or go dancing on a Friday night will soon have another option – or rather two options rolled into one.
Muse Paintbar, a wine and beer bar where customers can also paint re-creations of works of art under the supervision of an instructor, is set to open at 34 Middle Neck Road in the next two to three weeks, said Stan Finch, president and co-founder of Muse Paintbar.
Muse said he started the business in Manchester, N.H about three years ago, and Great Neck would be the company’s sixth location.
“You come in with a group of friends or a date or with a company function or a birthday party,” Finch said. “We have instructors who walk you through how to do a painting, like “The Starry Night,” or a variety of local images or any of the other 500 paintings we have. While doing that people are getting food and drinks and hanging out.”
Customers can sign up for either public or private sessions, which can run from two to two and a half hours, Finch said. Customers can paint whatever they want to paint, but most of the time they will try to recreate an existing photo or painting.
Muse has a schedule of what paintings people will be re-creating on what night on its website. Customers can reserve spots during these sessions, which are typically around $35.
“You’re signing up for that particular painting, but you can paint whatever you want,” Finch said.
The paintbar also offers different sessions from time to time, such as couples’ night and family day. For private parties, customers can pick whatever painting they want to do.
Muse expanded into the tri-state area last year with the opening of their Norwalk, Conn. branch, Finch said. He said he knew he wanted to expand to Long Island, and that Great Neck was the best option.
Finch’s company began a Facebook marketing campaign in various areas across Long Island trying to see which areas had residents that would want a Muse Paintbar. He said Great Neck residents showed the most interest.
“We did some very basic market tests and found there was very high demand in the area for this kind of concept – combining artistic expression with social good times,” he said.
He said putting Muse right by the Long Island Rail Road station will allow Muse to attract customers from outside of Great Neck as well.
“We very much like to be in a town center where there’s other entertainment options nearby – restaurants and stuff like that – as opposed to being in a strip mall,” Finch said. “We like an area that has a little character.”
Finch also liked the character of the space Muse will occupy, which is older and has a lot of exposed beams.
“It allows for artistic and creative thinking,” he said.
Finch said most of his customers don’t have much painting experience, so re-creating a painting is easier than doing an original work. Customers get guidance from Muse’s instructors, and at the end of the night can take their painting home.
“Half of our customers say they haven’t painted since grade school,” he said. “One of the most common concerns is ‘oh I can’t paint’ or ‘I haven’t painted in so long.’”
Finch said the instructors walk the customers through every aspect of the painting, so when it is finished they can take home a painting they actually like.
Though Muse does operate as a bar as well, kids are welcome to come too, Finch said. Some of the classes, mostly during the day on Saturday and Sunday, are dedicated to simpler paintings better suited for children and families.
“We encourage parents to bring kids if they’re over five,” Finch said. “But even if they’re a bit younger we can work it out.”
Finch said Muse is for all groups of people, but the primary customers are small groups of women looking for a “girl’s night out.”
“It’s not just going out to eat or going to a club,” he added. “You’re actually have something to do, so you can talk about that or catch up on any other variety of topics.”
