Raw Canvas

Based on the Unilocal reviews and the fact that I had a gift card for Raw Canvas, I was really excited about being able to come here for a nice evening of food, wine, and painting.
A friend and I had a reservation at Raw Canvas on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 6:00pm. The day of our reservation, my friend received a message saying that her reservation was cancelled as the restaurant was closed. The message wasn’t clear but based on the fact that they haven’t been responding to messages on social media or to phone calls, it appears as though they are closed permanently.
1 star based on their lack of responsiveness to customer enquiries.

A mixed experience really.
My partner wanted to start painting with acrylic paints, and so I thought this would be a fun evening to «dip our toes.» The start of the experience was quite disappointing though.
We are both vegetarians (I also don’t do dairy) and I contacted the restaurant to see whether they might have something else on the menu. Sent an email. Then called. Then called again. Just when I was about to give up, 4 days later, I got an email reply. Then a phone call from someone else, who is apparently not coordinated with the person replying to emails.
The answer basically was that we can have dessert, because they have nothing to accommodate us. So we booked a dinner somewhere else and then came for dessert and painting. There was only 1 dessert available, out of the 5 or 6 that were listed on the menu. We skipped it.
The painting part was awesome though, and we had a great evening with the painting part. For that, it was worth coming.

Came here after dinner as part of a birthday celebration. It was busy, but there were only two of us and we were able to get in without a wait, but I suspect we may have been lucky.
It was fun… but I have a beef… and this isn’t posted anywhere else that I could find…
YOU CAN NO LONGER HAVE A DRINK IN THE PAINT PIT.
In other words, you can drink, and you can paint, but you can’t do both at the same time anymore.
This is apparently due to some liquor license inspector that thinks we aren’t allowed to have cool things in this province.
This was a major disappointment to me. I know it’s not their fault, but all the advertising I had seen was about being able to paint WITH my wine and there was no warning on their website or Facebook page that this is no longer true.
I felt like, since it’s now just an art studio with a bar attached… it was pricy for the canvas/​paint, since I can paint at a regular studio for much cheaper.
The staff are friendly, and clearly very good at their jobs. Overall we still had a good time. I’m just not sure I’d come back… I can have my wine with my paint at home.

Me and my buddy had a blast at this place. We had some appis, wine and more wine while we painted. It’s fun and different. He didn’t think he would like it but in the end he really enjoyed himself.

I took my girlfriend here for our anniversary and we had such a fun time. I was a little skeptical at first in regard to the tapa style menu but it was just the right amount of food and tbeir beer and whisky was a nice compliment to the meat and cheeses. After our meal, we shared a canvas and created an artistic masterpiece (I may be slightly exaggerating but it Is quite easy to look at.) We had a fun romantic evening here and have a painting on our wall reminding us of the beauty we create together.

Used a social shopper deal for a group of 4. Was surprised by the auto-​gratuity of almost 20% when the bill arrived, which is kind of outrageous for such a small group. Spent close to $ 250 for the 4 of us and that’s with one drink per person and using a 50% off social shopper deal. Don’t know if I’d come back at full price. On the other hand, the artist on duty was wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable. Overall a very fun venue for date night, just be wary of the overall cost of participation.

Went to raw canvas last night on a double date. Used a social shopper which included one tapa plate and one canvas per person. They charged an automatic gratuity of 20% which we did not expect. Would not recommend going there on an empty stomach as the plates are small.
The painting itself was fun. The instructor who was there was extremely helpful and was available for tips and guidance.
Overall a good place for date night. If you have the option, buy the social shopper or groupon or else it can be quite expensive.

Great place for a 1^st date! Art and wine go very well together… the sharing plates are delish! Very unique!

I went to Raw Canvas for my bachelorette party and it was so fun!
Unfortunately we were stuffed from dinner and so didn’t nibble on the fabulous tapas but I already want to go back to try! I did have a seasonal beer, the Pyramid Apricot, and it was lovely.
You start the evening in their lounge area for tapas and drinks and then move below into the paint pit. You can bring your drink down with you for some «liquid inspiration»!
Painting was so enjoyable! More so than I thought it would be. They play great music, you can drink, you can paint whatever you want. Your choice of canvas. They come in varying sizes and dimensions at varying price points. I went for a «small» square which was $ 55.
My sister and I can’t wait to bring our boyfriends back for tapas, drinking, and a lot of creative fun in the paint pit!
Actually, he’ll be my husband by then. ;)

Came here for Dine Out and had a great time! Had been wanting to go for awhile and Dine Out seemed like a great deal.
We were a few minutes late for our reservation but it didn’t seem to be a big deal. They seemed a little short staffed as once we were seated it took awhile to actually order, but nothing too unbearable.
We got a meat platter and a cheese platter. Both pretty decent, not bad, not the best… But it’s meat & cheese, I guess I wasn’t expecting much?
Once we got to the painting part the staff artist Rachel was super helpful. I was definitely stressing as I am not artistic and had no ideas at all on what to paint. Once I figured it out and whenever I was stuck she was there helping to teach brush strokes, colour mixing etc, she was great.
One con with the painting is that the area was pretty jampacked. There were 2 to an easel and there were elbows all up in everyone’s business.
The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is the pricing. I checked out their regular pricing and I won’t lie, had it not been for Dine Out I don’t think I would have sucked it up and dolled out that much to try it out. As a non-​artistic person I really wanted to try it, but once you add it all up the cost of trying it out seems imbalanced. That being said, perhaps if I felt my «talent» and «artistic knowledge» could have been better applied there, maybe the cost wouldn’t seem like such a hurdle.
Overall, happy with what we got with the Dine Out and should another deal like that come along I would likely go again!

Sometimes you go out for dinner, and it’s all talking and talking, and sometimes, it gets dull.
If you’re trying to find a place to have a nice time with friends, then this would be a great place to go to.
When I went, they had a date (or couples) night when the canvas was on a discount. It was fun, and of course we had trouble deciding who gets to keep the awesome painting.

Grab your wine glasses and paintbrushes, friends! We’re going painting!
What a great concept! This fun little joint not only serves small batch wines and beer along with delicious charcuterie plates, but also has painting. Tell me, if you aren’t an artist, when was the last time you picked up a paint brush and exercised your artist muscle?
Raw Canvas is a perfect place for a first date, girls night or even big group outing. Having something for everyone, it’s the perfect night out.
I went with girlfriends on a Thursday night. We shared a double portion of the meat and cheese plate, built on suggestions by the friendly staff, and also imbibed in some of the tasty wines. They had live music that wasn’t overwhelming while dining and had a great vibe.
We then grabbed our wine glasses and headed to the back to work on a joint canvas. The artist in residence for the night helped us get set up and we were off. The resulting painting won’t be hung up in the Met anytime soon, but there sure were laughs for days.
Four stars only because the cost (for the wine and food) was certainly on the pricier side. Pro tip — share a canvas if cost is a concern. It’s more fun that way anyway!

Be far warned it is pretty pricey. But it is worth every penny, as it is a great experience that I would at least recommend to try at least once.
Super friendly service. Our waitress, Erin was engaging, helpful, fun, she was always right there when we needed anything (even before), and she took a genuine interest in our group.
There was a great selection of wines and beers which Erin was knowledgeable about and able to make suggestions and aid in our choices. The tapas was amazingly good, conversation went very quiet at that time as we enjoyed the selection from the variety of plates we ordered.
And of course, what is there to be said about the painting — it was a blast and lots of laughs. We had decided to make it a competition between us, two groups of four that had to paint a randomly chosen theme. We were left to get at it but never forgotten as when our drinks were low we never had to wait and there was always help super close by. It was a little tight and we were right by the paints but all the other customers were friendly and it really wasn’t bad.
Just overall a great experience, a super fun night.

You can choose to have your wine and nibbles as you paint, and enjoy the experience of feeding both your stomach and your soul simultaneously. But depending on how long you plan to
paint and your station’s surroundings, finding a steady place to rest your slate of meats and cheeses may be tricky. Are you able to find room next to your bucket of murky water and crusted over paintbrushes? Space is tighter than in the dining area and with all the bodies packed into the paint splattered place, it may prove to be most challenging. Luckily we both rathered concentrating on our artistic endeavors, then alternate between bite and stroke. So after we enjoyed our time eating, we moved on to the painting portion of the night.
I know it is common, but I found the larger rowdy groups a hindrance, as they took a way from my experience. One such was a group of 10 sharing the largest canvas in attempts to paint the best looking tree. They had been drinking a lot and were unable to talk without yelling and walk without bumping into something. Luckily by the time they settled into the right formation to allow 5 guys to be painting at once, we were on our way out. This was after we scrapped off our extra unused paint, rinsed off what was left on our pallets, and put away all our tools.
Would I come back? — Yes. I enjoyed myself once I went less ambitious with my creation. And I haven’t painted since high school, so this was a treat and a great space to enjoy this activity once in a while. Next time around I will come in knowing what I want to paint, with the expectation that I will be doing it after having been drinking heavily.
Would I recommend it? Yes. This is a great unique activity not found else where in Vancouver. Where else can you drink wine and stroke or chug beer and poke? This is the perfect choice for a girl’s night out or a creative first date. The food was nothing special, but there is so much more offered in experience that it makes up for it. Don’t deny your cravings.

Raw Canvas in Yaletown is a great place to go spend an evening to release the inner Picasso in you. Whether you are looking for a fun date night rendezvous with your significant other or a fun girls’ night out, Raw Canvas does not disappoint. Complete with a front dining area for schmooze and booze or a few charcuterie plates with cheese, there is something for everybody. The back area is where the painting bar is happening.
This is how it works:
Put on a smock
Choose your desired canvas sizes, paint colors, and brushes.
Allow the inner child to let loose!
Pick up your painting within 7 days! (Something we forgot to do. If you see Richard Parker, please let us know! Many Thanks!)
Useful Tip:
Don’t wear white or anything you don’t want to get dirty
Don’t wear pretty shoes either…
You never know what you’ve had that one glass of wine too many and splatter paint on yourself.
Keep your eyes open for Groupon and other discounts. We got ours Art-​and-​Tapas Dining Experience for Two with Small Canvases & Tasting Plates at Raw Canvas in Yaletown for $ 69.
And lastly, weeknights are usually better than weekends if you want to avoid crowds of bachlorette parties =)

If your not sure your committed to painting but want to try it out, this is the place to go !
If you want something social and different to do while chilling with a glass of wine, this is the place to go !
Some great things about this place:
1) they have a lot of paint, brushes, easel… basically everything you need
2) so cool to paint with other novice artists and be inspired
3) you can paint on canvas or a re-​usable bag
4) you can have a glass of wine and a cheese or meat platter before hand
5) no cleaning necessary :)
Some okay things about this place:
1) parking may be a bit hard, it is in Yaletown
2) don’t come hungry, its just appies, no real food
3) booking a time slot may be very difficult depending on the day and time
4) it can get very crowded during the weekends where you are bumping into people in the painting pit

Wow. What an interesting evening. I wish we had more creativity to actually get up and paint something. The great thing is that your receipt is good for 10% off canvas on your next visit, definitely incentive to want to go back.
The order process is unique and a bit much for a person who has a hard time making decisions like myself. However, I managed to select 3 items from the left and 3 from the right.
I was not happy with the duck i received and I think that was because I was not prepared for the texture. I am a muncher and it was nice to have a couple drinks and snack as opposed to having to eat a hot meal before it cools.
Bathroom…WOWZA, seXXXy!!!

a great experience!
we went on a double date and shared a groupon that we bought a while back. we had dinner before we came, as we were mainly intent on painting. the four of us shared two tasting platters and had drinks before venturing out into the painting studio. the service was great. the waitress explained things clearly. she was knowledgeable on the meats and cheeses and drinks they offered. i would definitely recommend sharing the tasting plate, that way you get to try more items on their menu. you’re allowed to bring your drinks to the studio to paint, but not your food. at the studio, there was an artist that helped us get settled and gave us the know how of how things worked and where things were.
it would definitely have been pricey if we didn’t have the groupon. i would come back again for special events or if another groupon came up!

It was a casual birthday get together at Raw Canvas with my girlfriends that my husband had secretly arranged and surprised me. He bought us a few bottles of wine, a canvas for me to paint on and left us to have a girls night out. The staff were terrific the entire night and everything turned out perfect!
The selection of cheeses were amazing, especially the blue. There are about 20 types of cheeses to choose from and everything I tried, I loved. My favorite cured meats were the ‘wild boar and rosemary’ and the ‘elk and juniper salami’. I would definitely recommend the tasting plate so you can choose 3 items as well as 3 sides. The sides are nuts, olives, confiture or dried fruit. Keep in mind the portions are small so you may want to order a lot. So prepare to be hungry or drop a lot of money here.
When you’re finished with your food and maybe a few more bottles, stumble down the walkway and paint yourself a masterpiece. I would have preferred if I could have painted while sipping on my wine, but you have to place it on the ledge and away from the painting supplies. Other than that, it was an experience I’ll always remember.

Definitely something unique!
Food & Drinks: I always get the tasting palate and fill it with their soft cheeses & fruity jams! Great wine list (but sadly, my tolerance for alcohol is at its bare minimum) so i always opt for their specialty juices. Pomegranate mmmm!
Service was friendly and encouraging! Apparently all of them are artists in their own special way: One’s a hairdresser!
Atmosphere: You’ve definitely stepped into a piece of art, as the walls are decked out with multiple canvases of people’s masterpieces. And it seems that their back wall and washrooms are always changing and repainted on with something beautifully different. The venue acts as your muse, and wants to inspire you!
Then you get that nudge of confidence, and say «I CAN TOTALLY DO THAT TOO» and «TRY» to put your vision to work. or I should say. on canvas. Equipment is all provided, and you let your creativity take over.
I recommend this experience to everyone! Its a guaranteed good time with a friend or two! The only complaint I have. is that the canvases are quite steep in price. ($ 55 for the smallest). I only say this because, you can buy a nice predone canvas for the same amount or less, and a blank canvas for less than $ 15. If only the prices of the canvases were more affordable, I’d frequent it more regularly, and buy more drinks, and more tasting palates. But for now. I’d like to share a canvas with a friend, and paint ourselves a good time!