This is the kind of activity that mixes two things Argentines do all the time: mate and food—then adds hands-on art so you leave with a souvenir that’s truly yours. In just 3 hours, you’ll taste yerba mate, learn how it’s made, try classic Buenos Aires pastries, and paint a wooden mate cup you take home.

My favorite part is how practical the mate lesson feels, from the cultural meaning to the actual steps. I also love the relaxed painting format: you’re guided with acrylics, and you don’t need to be an artist to make something good. One thing to think about: you should wear clothes that can get a little stained, since this is a hands-on class with acrylics.

Key highlights to plan around

• Mate tasting plus a real how-to so you’re not just drinking, you’re learning the ritual
• Iconic Buenos Aires pastries like facturas, alfajorcitos de maicena, and biscochitos de grasa
• A wooden mate cup included, plus a bombilla so you can use it right away
• Small group (max 10), which makes questions and conversation easy
• Beginner-friendly acrylic painting with plenty of guidance
• Optional picnic-style version in Lagos de Palermo if weather is good

What This Mate-and-Paint Experience Actually Feels Like

Picture a warm cup of yerba mate in one hand, pastries on the table, and paint supplies in front of you. That’s the vibe here: social, slow, and hands-on. The activity starts as a mate lesson and food break, then shifts to art time where you design and paint your own cup.

The smartest part is that you’re not learning mate as trivia. You’re learning it as a lived ritual—how it’s shared, why it matters in everyday Argentine life, and how to prepare an infusion that tastes right. The same goes for the pastries: you’re trying the classics that show up at bakeries and coffee breaks across Buenos Aires.

If you like experiences that give you both a story and a keepsake, this is a strong match. Your painted cup is something you’ll actually keep using or at least display, which makes the souvenir feel less like clutter.

Price and What You Really Get for $62

At $62 per person for a 3-hour session, you’re paying for more than a workshop. You’re getting a full cultural intro to mate, a tasting component, and the art supplies and item to take home.

Here’s what’s included:

• A brief explanation of mate culture and curiosities
• Mate tasting (and yerba mate tea, with coffee and tea available)
• A wooden mate cup to paint for each participant
• A bombilla
• All drawing and painting materials (acrylics, brushes, jars, pencils, paper, napkins, and more)
• A variety of traditional pastries (facturas, alfajorcitos de maicena, biscochitos de grasa)
• Coffee, tea, or mate cocido

So the value isn’t just the art. The cup is built into a bigger “Argentina in one afternoon” package: you learn, you eat, and you leave with an item that fits the theme.

For planning, also remember it’s a small group, capped at 10. In a class like this, that matters. It’s easier to get your questions answered, and it’s more comfortable to ask about how to prepare mate at home after you come back.

Where You Meet Near Salta and Independencia

You’ll meet at Bonnie and Clyde bar, right on the corner of Salta Street and Independencia Avenue. The atelier is only about 50 meters away, so you’re not trekking across town before you even start.

This location is practical for two reasons. First, it keeps the start simple—show up, get settled, and you’re into mate and snacks quickly. Second, it’s easy to pair with other neighborhood plans the same day, since you won’t lose an hour to transportation.

The 3-Hour Flow: Mate lesson, pastries, then paint

The class is structured in a way that keeps energy steady. You don’t get stuck only listening, and you also don’t jump straight to paint without context.

1) Mate culture and the meaning behind the ritual

You start with a brief explanation of mate tradition and curiosities. Mate is a hot drink made from yerba mate, similar to a tea infusion style, and it’s a caffeine-rich staple in Argentina.

What makes this part useful is that you learn the “why,” not just the “how.” You’ll understand why people drink it, what it symbolizes, and how it fits into the Argentine habit of sharing drinks with others.

2) Mate tasting and first-time guidance

Then comes mate tasting. If you’ve never had mate, this is the key moment. You’ll get a chance to taste it and learn how to make your own mate infusion.

The good news: they also offer coffee and tea, and they provide mate cocido (yerba mate tea). So even if mate isn’t your first love, you’re not stuck without options.

3) Traditional pastry tasting with Buenos Aires classics

After the mate intro, you’ll taste iconic pastries. The included options include:

• Facturas (classic Argentinian pastry varieties)
• Alfajorcitos de maicena
• Biscochitos de grasa

This is a smart pairing. Mate is strong and herbal, while the pastries add sweetness and texture. The mix helps you experience mate culture in the same way you’d in many local snack moments—drink plus baked goods, not drink plus a lecture.

4) Design choice for your mate cup

Next you move into art time. You’ll choose a design from options provided by the instructor, or create your own design if that feels more fun. This matters because it lowers the pressure. You’re not starting from a blank page unless you want to.

The tools and materials are set up so you can sketch and plan your layout before painting begins.

5) Painting the wooden mate cup with acrylics

Finally, you paint. You’ll use acrylics and brushes, and the instructor guides you through the process. The important point here is confidence: this is meant for beginners. You’re not being graded on fine art technique; you’re learning how to transfer your idea onto the cup.

If you’ve ever worried you’re not “creative enough,” this format helps. The class gives you structure (supplies, guidance, options) and leaves space for your personal style.

What Makes the Mate Lesson Worth Your Time

Lots of tours hand you a drink and call it culture. This one feels different because it treats mate as a ritual you can practice, not a souvenir you pass around.

Here’s what you gain from the mate-focused portion:

• You learn how mate fits into daily life in Argentina
• You understand the symbolism behind sharing and drinking
• You get a guided tasting, including making mate infusion yourself

It’s also a good way to get oriented fast in Buenos Aires culture. Once you know what mate is and why people care about it, you’ll spot it everywhere—cafes, homes, and street moments—without feeling lost.

And there’s a practical payoff. When you travel, you can come home with a new “repeatable” habit. Mate is one of the few cultural drinks where learning the method gives you something you can actually use later.

Pastries Included: What You’ll Actually Want to Eat Again

The pastry line-up is a highlight because it hits the classic Argentine comfort zone. You’re not doing a weird “experimental bites” spread. You’re tasting the kinds of items that people order without thinking too hard, the way locals do.

Facturas are a big part of many Buenos Aires breakfast and snack moments—so you’ll likely recognize them in other settings after tasting them here. Alfajorcitos de maicena bring that caramel-crumbly sweetness vibe many people associate with Argentine treats. Biscochitos de grasa are another iconic choice: more savory-leaning, buttery, and meant for pairing with tea or coffee.

You can think of it like this: the pastries act as a language you can taste. They explain how Argentines treat snack time—sweet, comforting, and built for conversation.

Painting Your Mate Cup: Beginner-Friendly, Real-Skill Guidance

This is where your afternoon becomes personal. You’re not just copying a design. You’re making a piece you can take home and feel attached to.

A few practical notes that help you enjoy this part:

• Wear old clothes because acrylics can get on sleeves and fabric
• Expect to sketch or plan your design before painting
• Follow the instructor’s guidance through the acrylic steps

Also, the cup is wooden and intended for your finished piece to feel like a genuine object, not a disposable craft. You’ll receive the cup and the materials to decorate it, and that means you have a tangible result by the end of the 3 hours.

Taking It Home: Cup, Bombilla, and Using It Later

Your final takeaway is not just a decorated cup lying around. You leave with the core mate set items: the painted wooden cup and a bombilla.

That means you can use it at home if you want. It also gives you a way to re-live the class without needing a museum ticket or a photo scroll.

This is one of the best kinds of souvenirs for travelers who prefer experiences over “stuff.” The cup is a functional art piece tied directly to the drink you learned.

Picnic in Lagos de Palermo When Weather Plays Nice

If the weather is good, there’s an option to do the activity in a picnic style in the Lagos de Palermo area. The experience can also shift to a picnic style if you’re a solo traveler and you’re the only person booked for that day.

Two reasons this matters:

1) You get the same food-and-culture structure, just with a different setting.

2) It can feel more relaxed and less like a classroom.

If you’re deciding between indoor and outdoor, choose based on your mood. Indoors tends to feel warm and steady for painting and tasting. Outdoors can feel more like a Buenos Aires afternoon ritual.

Who This Experience Suits Best

This class works well for a lot of people, but it shines in certain cases.

You’ll probably enjoy it if you:

• Want an Argentina-focused activity that mixes food, drink, and hands-on art
• Are traveling solo and like meeting a friendly guide in a small group setting
• Prefer structured experiences where you still get creative input
• Like taking home a functional souvenir (not just a photo)

It’s also a solid “any weather” choice. If you’re in Buenos Aires on a rainy day, this kind of indoor workshop keeps your plans moving without losing the magic.

One caution: it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, so plan accordingly if mobility access is an issue.

Should You Book This Mate & Paint Experience?

I’d book it if you want something distinctly Argentine that goes beyond a tasting. The mix of mate learning, pastry time, and painting your own cup makes it feel complete, not rushed, and not one-note.

Book it especially if you value small-group attention and you like leaving with an item you’ll actually use. If you hate any chance of mess, skip it; otherwise, bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and enjoy a very Buenos Aires afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the mate and paint experience?

The experience lasts 3 hours.

How many people are in the group?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

What’s included in the price?

You get a mate culture intro, mate tasting, a wooden mate cup to paint, a bombilla, drawing and painting materials, traditional pastries (including facturas, alfajorcitos de maicena, and biscochitos de grasa), plus coffee, tea, or mate cocido.

Where do we meet?

You meet at Bonnie and Clyde bar, at the corner of Salta Street and Independencia Avenue, and the atelier is about 50 meters away.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear clothes that can get dirty.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes. If you have diet restrictions, you should let them know by email or WhatsApp so they can arrange something special.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

No. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

What languages are offered?

Spanish, English, French, and Italian.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book this mate and paint session?

Yes, if you want a practical introduction to mate, classic Buenos Aires pastries, and a guided acrylic painting session that ends with a take-home souvenir. It’s also a great fit for first-timers who want an activity that feels cultural without being stuffy. If mess is a big concern or accessibility is an issue, plan an alternative.