Name: Paint Nite: Blooming Sunset
Start: 2018-06-06T19:00:00-04:00
Location: Exiles Bar (U Street)
Rating: 4.5

Question 1

Is Blooming Sunset good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Blooming Sunset is designed to be achievable at any experience level. More satisfying than it looks difficult — Daraja breaks every step down clearly. Most of our guests have never picked up a brush before, and they leave with something they're genuinely proud of. Worth knowing: Paint Nite events happen at real bars and restaurants, not studios — it's a night out that happens to involve painting.

Question 2

How is Paint Nite different from a painting class?

Accepted Answer

A painting class teaches you technique. Paint Nite gives you a finished painting and a good night. Daraja is a real local artist — not a teacher running a curriculum — and this event happens at Exiles Bar (U Street), a real local spot, not a studio. Paint Nite invented this format in 2012 and has sold more than 10 million tickets. The trade-off is honest: lighting varies, it can get loud, and the person at the next easel is a stranger. That's the point. It's more of a night out than a class.

Question 3

Is this a good date night in DC?

Accepted Answer

Blooming Sunset is one of our most popular date night paintings in DC. You each paint your own canvas — same painting, different results — which always makes for a fun comparison at the end of the night. The mood of the painting is romantic — expect something beautiful to bring home.

Question 4

What's Daraja like as an instructor?

Accepted Answer

Daraja is a real local artist based in DC — not a franchise employee or a corporate hire. Paint Nite artists complete our certification program before their first event. Across all Paint Nite events, 93% of guests say their instructor was amazing.

Question 5

What's Exiles Bar (U Street) like?

Accepted Answer

Exiles Bar (U Street) is a local venue in DC — a real local spot, not a dedicated painting studio. Paint Nite events happen at places like this by design — venues with character, regulars, and a bar. It can get lively. That's what makes it a night out rather than a class.

Question 6

Is Blooming Sunset a seasonal painting?

Accepted Answer

Blooming Sunset is a summer painting — bright, warm tones that match the season perfectly.

Question 7

Whatever happened to Yaymaker?

Accepted Answer

Yaymaker is Paint Nite. We brought both brands together under the Paint Nite name — same artists, same events, same format we invented in 2012. More than 10 million tickets have been sold across both brands combined. If you used to attend Yaymaker events in DC, you're in the right place. Welcome back.

Question 8

What's included in my ticket for this event?

Accepted Answer

Your ticket to Blooming Sunset includes the canvas, all the paint you'll need, the use of brushes and an apron during the event, and step-by-step instruction from Daraja. Drinks and food are ordered separately from Exiles Bar (U Street) — you pay the venue directly for anything you eat or drink.

Question 9

How long is Blooming Sunset?

Accepted Answer

Exiles Bar (U Street)'s event starts at 7:00 PM. We suggest showing up by 6:30 PM to give yourself time to pick your seats, get a drink and maybe a bite before Daraja starts the painting.

Question 10

What's the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

You can reschedule your ticket to any other Paint Nite event up to 24 hours before this one starts. After that, tickets are locked — no refunds or changes. If Paint Nite cancels this event for any reason, you'll receive a full automatic refund.

Question 11

What does "Guaranteed to Run" mean?

Accepted Answer

This event has reached our minimum attendance threshold and is guaranteed to run. If we ever have to cancel a guaranteed event, every ticket holder receives a full automatic refund plus a free ticket to a future Paint Nite — no questions asked. The only exception is weather or force majeure, where full refunds are issued but free tickets are not.