Late last month, the inaugural Secret Life of Dads event, titled Pints & Ponytails, took over the taps at Marylebone’s Lucky Saint, and the results were nothing short of a miracle.
The mission? To take a room full of well-meaning fathers and transform their “birds-nest” hair attempts into salon-worthy masterpiecesfor their daughters.
Do you have a “sip & skill” social business venture idea that could take off like this one?
Breaking the “Dad-Do” Cycle
Equipped with a mannequin head, a pint of Lucky Saint, and a shared struggle with a hair elastic, dads were ready to take the pain out of their daughters’ morning hair routine. Under the expert guidance of the Braid Maidens, the group progressed from fumbling with basic ponytails to successfully executing the “Elsa Braid”—the holy grail of playground hairstyles.
By the end of the session, the room was filled with perfectly braided mannequins and very proud fathers.
Having learned how to create fun hairstyles their daughters will be proud of, dads now can now have meaningful catch-up moments with their daughters they may have never had before.
If you missed out on the braiding action, don’t fret. The success of Pints & Ponytails has proven that there is a massive appetite for events that combine practical parenting skills with a much-needed social buzz.
Last night we hosted our first-ever Secret Life Of Dads event – Pints & Ponytails, and we were blown away. Turns out dads love to talk, they just need a room with pints and a mannequin.
Massive thank you to the incredible @braid_maidens who took us from barely being able to do a ponytail to the Elsa by the end of the class
Thank you, @luckysaintbeer, for hosting us.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next session via the Instagram handle @thesecretlifeofdads–Secret Life of Dads
Sip & Skill Social Business Revolution
Why your local pub could host your next business
The success of Pints & Ponytails is part of a growing trend across the UK and elsewhere. It’s the rise of the “Social Workshop.” Gone are the days when a night at the pub just meant a packet of crisps and a quiz. Today, people can head home with new skills, new contacts and future friends.
The best social business ideas share three ingredients: a tangible takeaway (a braid, a painting, or a fixed bike), a relaxed environment and common ground that makes talking to a stranger feel natural.
If you’re inspired to start your own “Sip & Skill” venture, here are a few concepts to consider starting that could work in pubs, cafes, bistros and restaurants:
For the Makers and Creators
Bohemian Blooms & Bubbles: Forget stuffy flower arranging; think wild, seasonal flower arrangements or wreath-making held in a sunlit beer garden or cosy bistrot with a glass of bubbly.
Paint & Pinot: A classic for a reason. Local artists lead a step-by-step painting session in a relaxed bistro setting. It’s less about being the next Picasso and more about the happy accidents that happen after the second glass of red.
Knit & Nosh: Groups are taking over cosy gastropubs to learn how to make a chunky-knit scarf before a Sunday roast.
For the hands-on crowd
Wrench, Wheat & Wine: Similar to the dads’ hair class, this targets basic maintenance or DIY “home-hack” skills. Learn how to change a tyre, fix a puncture or drill and hang pictures, all while enjoying a craft ale or wine.
Chablis & Chardonnay: Interactive culinary workshops where a freelance chef teaches you to prep sushi or cure fish at your table before you sit down to eat your creations.
Make-up & Mojitos: A make-up artist offers technique, application and product tips for groups. Each event can cater to different skin types, age or makeup styles.
If you have a social business venture, please let our readers know about it by dropping details in the comments.
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