Do I need experience to attend Bonsai Bar?

No—workshops are beginner-friendly and instructors guide you through each step from potting to pruning.

Venue policies vary; some sessions allow underage guests with a guardian. Check the venue’s under-21 policy before booking.

Are drinks included with a ticket?

No—drink tickets are not included; the taproom offers a range of beers and nonalcoholic options for purchase.

Can two people share one tree or ticket?

No—tickets are sold per person, and each attendee receives their own tree and pot to ensure everyone has a workspace.

Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting soil on and closed-toe shoes; aprons are recommended for extra protection.

What happens if the class is canceled?

Refunds are issued only if a class is canceled or rescheduled by Bonsai Bar; otherwise, cancellations by attendees follow the event’s stated policy.

Bonsai Bar at Long Beach Beer Lab: Craft Beer Meets Tiny Trees on Willow Street

On a Friday night at 518 W Willow St in Long Beach, California, the Long Beach Beer Lab reconfigures its taproom into a small workshop: Bonsai Bar. For two hours, wood tables and beer flights replace the typical brewery buzz as a scatter of tiny trees, ceramic pots, soil and tools become the centerpiece. The format is simple and disarming—no prior experience required—and by the end of the session each participant walks away with a hand-selected sapling in a new pot, basic shears, and a crash course in pruning and wiring.

What to expect is straightforward: expert guidance, a ceramic pot, access to communal tools—a soil bin, shears and chopstick for planting—and a supportive Tree-iage follow-up to help your bonsai thrive. The venue’s selection of IPAs, ales, lagers and sours creates a convivial, workshop-friendly atmosphere, and the on-site artisan sourdough and pastries make it easy to turn the class into a date night or group outing. Arrival fifteen minutes early secures time to order food and pick your tree.

This experience stands out in Long Beach because it folds a traditional horticultural pursuit into a craft-beer setting. Bonsai practice—an art with deep roots in East Asian horticultural traditions—meets the West Coast’s inventive brewery culture. The result is a city-specific hybrid: hands-in-soil, hands-on instruction, and a friendly social scene where creativity and care are equally valued. The workshop suits beginners and curious travelers who want an indoor activity that feels rooted and tangible but doesn’t require a full afternoon.

Practical notes: the class runs about two hours and is ticketed per person; children may attend depending on venue policy, and drink tickets are not included. Bring a willingness to get a little dirty and leave time to enjoy a flight from the tap. Because space is limited, book ahead to reserve a seat, and arrive early to choose your pot and sapling.

For Long Beach visitors, Bonsai Bar is a low-key, memorable way to take home more than a souvenir; you get a living craft project, a new skill, and access to ongoing care tips from the organizers. Located at 518 W Willow St, this pairing of bonsai basics and brewery culture is a small-venue standout—perfect for makers, plant people, and anyone seeking an urban craft night that’s more about learning than just drinking. Workshops are ideal for travelers who want an indoor creative activity between beach time and evening plans; the compact format fits into a day exploring Shoreline Village, Retro Row, or the Aquarium. Bring a camera, wear clothes you don’t mind getting soil on, and plan for light walking only. Hosts provide care resources so your bonsai can survive local coastal conditions long after you return home safely.