Twenty-five fathers gathered at Deco Lounge on Bold Street in Liverpool for Pints & Ponytails, an event that combines beer with braiding to help dads master their daughters' hair. The workshop, founded by best friends Matt Carter and Lawrence Price, has become a nationwide phenomenon after a viral video from a London session reached more than 24 million views.
Icebreaker and Relatable Struggles
The evening began with an icebreaker: “Has anyone here had any tears or tantrums first thing in the morning?” Carter asked the crowd. One hand shot up from a dad with enviable curls—he admitted the tantrum was his own, not his daughter’s. The room erupted in laughter, setting a relaxed tone for the event.
From Ponytails to French Plaits
Styling heads lined long tables alongside brushes, combs, and brightly colored hairbands. The basics—ponytails, pigtails, and bunches—came first, followed by the French plait. The room fell almost silent as dads concentrated on weaving three sections of hair. Some stood up, convinced it gave them extra focus. After 20 minutes, one dad inspected his work and declared, “We will take it for the first time, it's s****, but we'll take it.”
Dads Share Their Stories
Nick Allen, 40, from Chester, had a slight advantage: he trained as a pastry chef and learned to plait bread. He said, “I have strict instructions to learn how to do Rumi, from K-Pop Demon Hunters, hairstyle, but I have a feeling it isn't going to go well.” He added, “I normally do the school runs, so hair usually falls into my responsibilities. Mornings are always mad in the house.”
David Diskin, 45, a civil engineer from Galway now living in Manchester, attended for his six-year-old daughter Maeve, who has mixed-race hair. “My daughter’s hair is very curly, very tight curls, so it can be tricky. She often asks me to do plaits and other styles, but I'm more of a one-style person,” he said. “She doesn't know I'm here, so it will be a surprise, hopefully, when she sees the standard of the hair next time.”
Impact and Future Plans
Matt Carter explained the motivation behind the workshops: “Dads are spending twice as much time with their kids now compared to generations before and they want to take some of that emotional weight off at home. They want to show up and for some reason Pints & Ponytails does that for the dads.” He added, “More tours and bigger events on a global scale. We want this to reach as many dads as possible.”
By the end of the evening, the plaits weren't perfect, but the dads left with newfound confidence. The event, which sells out in minutes, continues to expand across the country, helping fathers one ponytail at a time.
