Date Nights With Different Strokes

Move over, candlelight dinners and boring ol’ OTT date nights. The hottest date night in town is all about dots, dreams, and deep connection, with your partner and with culture. Couples across the globe are ditching the usual dinner-and-drinks routine for something a little more... artsy. Many are swapping cocktails for canvas at contemporary aboriginal painting workshops.

Love, dots, and storytelling

These workshops are not your normal sip-and-paint evenings, they include messy hands, layered dot work, and age-old stories guided by indigenous artists. While you and your partner squabble over who has the steadier brushstroke, you could also be receiving an environment with other competitive couples.

“People come for a date and leave with a painting, a story, and sometimes even tears,” laughs Jenna Murray, a Wiradjuri artist who hosts couples' classes in Sydney. “It’s not just about painting—it’s about listening, connecting, and sharing.”

Each couple creates their collaborative canvas inspired by Dreamtime stories, symbols, and connection to land. It’s a way of saying “I love you” that lasts longer than roses and doesn’t wilt in a week. Plus, participating in creative activities to-gether can increase levels of oxytocin, the ‘love hormone,’ fostering stronger emotional bonds between partners.

‘Deep Date Night’ Era

While aboriginal art is deeply rooted in Australian history, Indian facilitators are collaborating with artists abroad or adapting similar dot-painting styles to teach respect for indigenous stories through guided experiences. From posh gallery studios to cosy community cafés, there’s a paintbrush date night for every budget.

With the rise of “experimental dating,’’ couples are going bonkers on the idea of jumping out of their homes and indulging themselves in experiences that leave them feeling whole and happy. From pottery to salsa nights and now aboriginal art, the focus is on doing something memorable together, and maybe learning more about each other deeply on the way. “It’s our third date night and we’ve already made something fridge-worthy,” says Leo Singh, an accountant who booked the workshop as a surprise for his girlfriend Priya. “Plus, she got emotional when the artist explained what the symbols meant—it wasn’t just paint, it was a piece of history.”

The Perfect Blend

While some might roll their eyes at yet another “quirky date idea,” these workshops are giving people a way to respectfully engage with artists, other couples, and — let’s be honest — show off a pretty impressive Instagram story. “We always start by talking about cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation,” explains Jenna. “We want people to walk away not just with art, but with awareness.”

The digital fatigue has led many to seek offline, in meaningful interactions, which allow individuals to feel alive, in a time where dating can feel like one swipe too many. It’s intimate, hands-on, and asks couples to slow down and pay attention—to each other and the stories they’re being told. Psychologist Dr Ritu Dua, based in Pune, notes, “Art therapy uses the creative process of making art to improve a person's mental, physical, and emotional well-being.” She emphasises that such shared experiences can strengthen the emotional bond between partners.

So, if you’re tired of arguing over where to eat or rewatching the same sitcom on date night, maybe it's time to pick up a paintbrush. You might just end up painting a deeper connection. “Couples need to explore each other. When you are put in activities together, it’s what tests your relationship,” says relationship coach Neetu Singh. And hey, if the relationship doesn’t last, at least you’ve got a killer artwork to hang above your ex-couch.