Claymates Ceramics Studio offers classes and workshops focused on clay work, including wheel throwing, handbuilding and surface techniques. Sessions are designed for beginners and makers looking to build confidence and skill. Materials, tools and studio support are provided, and instructors guide participants through projects from start to finish. Open studio time is also available for ongoing work between lessons. Booking and schedules are listed on the Claymates website.
Fresh Pursuits: Where to Try a New Hobby in Vancouver
The Vancouver New Hobby Guide maps out spaces where you can step out of your routine and into something more grounded. It’s for anyone looking to disconnect from the scroll, shake off the workday, and do something with their hands. A place to start, not to perfect, a skill. Whether it’s shaping clay, mixing a proper cocktail, building a terrarium, or writing a poem, it’s not about getting it right. It’s about being in it, with hands busy, mind focused, and attention anchored in the act of making.
These workshops and studios offer a different kind of satisfaction. One that comes from paying attention, from starting at zero, from learning for the sake of it. You might find something you want to return to. Or not. Either way, there’s value in trying something new. Go alone and lose yourself in the focus. Or bring a friend and share something real. The reward is less about mastery and more about presence, connection, and joy.
Oasis Studio
Website:
oasisstudio.caHours: By appointment only
Known For: Terrarium workshops, kokedama and crystal garden classes, curated plant kits
Oasis Studio offers small group terrarium-making classes where participants learn to build and care for miniature ecosystems using glass vessels, moss, soil and live plants. Workshops welcome all experience levels and provide all necessary materials. Sessions are offered regularly and bookings are available online.
The Dirty Apron
Website:
dirtyapron.com/cooking-schoolHours: Delicatessen Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday 8:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday closed (check online for class schedule)
Known For: Hands‑on cooking classes, regional and technique workshops, kid and teen camps, demonstration classes
The Dirty Apron Cooking School is best known for its hands‑on cooking classes and workshops where participants prepare multi‑course meals with guidance from professional chef instructors. Classes cover regional cuisines, technique‑based topics like knife skills and grilling, themed experiences such as brunch or vegetarian cooking, and special formats for kids, teens and team building. Each class typically culminates in dining together with paired beverages. Dates, formats and registration are available on the school’s online calendar.
Upstart & Crow
Website:
upstartandcrow.comHours: Tues to Fri 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sat and Sun 10 am to 6 pm (check website for event times)
Known For: Poetry workshops, creative writing classes, author events and literary programs
Upstart & Crow hosts a calendar of writing and poetry workshops that explore creative craft, technique, form and voice. Sessions are led by experienced writers and facilitators and range from focused poetry explorations to broader creative writing intensives. Registration and details are available through the website.
The Wild Bunch
Website:
thewildbunch.caHours: Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm, Sunday closed
Known For: Freeform arrangement, seasonal floral design workshops, special events
The Wild Bunch offers hands-on floral design workshops that teach seasonal arrangement techniques in a relaxed, artistic setting. Classes are small, materials are provided, and no experience is needed. Each session focuses on creative process and composition using fresh or dried flowers. Dates are posted regularly online and often fill quickly.
Flourist
Website:
flourist.com/collections/classesHours: Monday to Wednesday 7 am to 6 pm, Thursday to Saturday 7 am to 8 pm, Sunday 7 am to 6 pm, check website for class schedule
Known For: Bread and pastry classes, sourdough techniques, fermentation workshops
Flourist hosts hands‑on classes and workshops focused on bread, pastry and fermentation. Sessions cover foundational methods as well as deeper topic explorations such as sourdough shaping, wild yeast culture and seasonal techniques. Classes are led by experienced bakers and welcome a range of skill levels. All materials are provided and registration is available through the Flourist website.
Claymates Ceramics Studio
Website:
claymatesceramicsstudio.comHours: Monday to Thursday 10 am to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Known For: Wheel throwing classes, handbuilding workshops, open studio access, beginner-friendly sessions
Brandywine Bartending School
Website:
brandywine.caAddress:
241 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 0B4Hours: Monday to Thursday 12 pm to 11 pm, weekends by class or event booking
Known For: Cocktail classes for home bartenders, mixology nights, group workshops and private events
Brandywine offers hands-on cocktail classes designed for anyone who wants to mix better drinks at home or enjoy a memorable night out with friends. Sessions walk you through the essentials of shaking, stirring and balancing flavour, with real spirits, fresh ingredients and expert instruction. Private bookings and themed classes like Modern Classics or Cocktail Wars turn learning into an experience and a skill you’ll never regret learning.
Modus Coffee
Website:
moduscoffee.comHours: Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 5 pm
Known For: Specialty espresso drinks, pour‑over coffee, seasonal roaster releases, coffee classes and workshops
Modus Coffee offers hands‑on coffee classes and workshops where participants explore tasting, brewing and technique alongside trained baristas. Sessions cover fundamentals like extraction and brew methods as well as deeper cupping experiences that help refine palate and understanding of coffee profiles. Workshops offer space for both beginners and enthusiasts to engage with coffee more deeply and are available to book through the Modus website.