Gen Z’s new date night is ditching the ‘awkward’ hangout by mixing wine with craft, activities, art and ‘liquid courage’.

It’s the new Gen-Z date night — and there’s a lot of mixing going on.

Hangouts where couples mix wine with activities like painting or pumpkin carving are exploding in popularity in the Big Apple as some say unexpected pairings can ease the “awkward” jitters of a first date with the help of a drink or two. Let’s finish it.

“There can be an element of liquid courage, where I think sometimes we get a little anxious and a little glass of wine takes us over the edge,” Valen Bhatt, owner of Brooklyn-based art studio Private Picassos, told The Post. Gives.”

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in couples coming over — before the pandemic, there were a lot more friend groups.”

Couples paying attention to the latest trends at brick-and-mortar shops like Chinatown wick and pour and located in Manhattan paint and pourwhich are dedicated entirely to alcoholic activities – while pop-up classes are offering activities like Fluffy Pumpkin Carving and even “Puff and paint“A walk full of weed.

“They want to experience different things,” NY Cake Academy owner Jenny Kashanian told The Post. “We started adding BYOB options to our classes, and people really liked it.”

Kashanian began offering BYOB classes about two years ago, starting with fluffy cupcake decorating, which has since expanded to BYOB cake decorating as well as pasta- and pizza-making.

Kashanian’s Gen Z students bake most often with their boyfriends, even though the classes are attended by people of different ages, she said.

“We’re seeing more date nights for younger people,” Kashanian said. “Instead of going out for dinner, they are coming here. Then they sit here later and eat.”

Bhat said the rising cost of living, especially for city dwellers, may play a role in Gen Z’s interest in events.

“I’ve lived in Brooklyn for 25 years and it’s become very expensive,” Bhatt said. “BYOB restaurants don’t really exist anymore, so I think having an event where you can bring your own thing means you’re saving a little bit, and I also think you’re spending less.” You have more control over it.”

Nurullah Gokdogan, co-owner of the Manhattan-based crafting workshop craft storiestold The Post that “90%” of their BYOB customers come in pairs — and it’s hard to beat a deal like wine and an activity for under $50.

“If you want to take someone on a date, it’s usually a dinner date or a coffee date,” he said. “Here, you’re adding it to this unique experience, it’s a more elevated version – with a bottle of wine and an activity you can work on together. That’s why it’s so attractive to couples.”

Bela Gandhi, a dating coach Smart Dating Academy and host of the podcast of the same nametold The Post that BYOB dates are a good idea for all generations — but have become increasingly common among young people given the fast pace of social media.

“I like the idea of ​​doing something on a budget that’s still fun and lets you connect,” Gandhi said.

“As a dating coach, one of my favorite first dates is to go for a walk with coffee –[or]anywhere where you’re hanging out, doing something and getting to know them. It feels less awkward and expensive than dinner.

Gandhi told The Post that participating in an engaging activity — especially on a first date — can lead to a more intimate conversation “where you don’t feel like there’s a stranger staring into your eyes.”

“Wine nights, movie nights, going for ice cream: These are all super cute and one of my favorite low-cost dates at any age,” she said.

The dating coach said, “Because it costs less and it’s cute, it’s almost reminiscent of the rom-com days.” “I see it with my clients at any age: People want to find ways to connect that don’t take a lot of time and a lot of money. The first date is a vetting process — it’s not like people want to spend $200 on that.”

Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews of BYOB art classes for date night, Gandhi cautioned against bringing in dates with a known competitive streak.

“I think if you get someone who is very good at projects, very alpha people, you put them in front of something and they want to win,” she said. “They may be more focused on the project than you.”

Bhat, whose studio offers a variety of alcoholic activities from holiday card making to pumpkin carving, said her classes are organized to limit any danger to inebriated patrons — and on any given date. Prevents injuries.

For BYOB pumpkin carving, attendees work with already carved pumpkins and dull blades, Bhatt said. Three other BYOB class facilitators interviewed by The Post could not recall any disasters resulting from a student’s excessive drinking.

“The carving (carving) happens at the beginning of the workshop, if one has a lot,” Bhatt said.

Kashanian, 33, who runs NY Cake Academy with her sister, said BYOB classes are not only good for couples, but they also promote the small businesses that offer them.

Hosting classes based on trends has been a way for the business to survive, he said, adding that his latest offering is a class on how to make a Dubai chocolate bar class based on the viral confection.

“We’re grateful to still be there, it’s really hard to run a small business in Manhattan,” he told The Post. “We just try to keep up with the trends.”