Do I need prior bonsai experience?

No experience is required; workshops are designed for beginners with instructors guiding each step.

Is food and drink included?

Food and drink are available for purchase at Protector Brewery; plan to order when you arrive 15 minutes early.

What is the minimum age to attend?

This event is 21+; contact the venue for any underage entry policies.

What happens if a class is canceled?

Refunds are issued only if a class is canceled due to low enrollment or if Bonsai Bar cancels or reschedules the event.

How do I transport my finished bonsai?

Bring a small box or bag to stabilize the pot and keep soil from spilling during the trip home.

Will I get aftercare instructions?

Yes— instructors provide basic care and pruning guidance so you can continue shaping your bonsai at home.

Bonsai Bar at Protector Brewery: Craft Beer Meets Tiny Trees in San Diego

Protector Brewery Hide Site in San Diego is an offbeat evening where horticulture meets hops. At Bonsai Bar @ Protector Brewery (8680 Miralani Dr UNIT 128, San Diego, CA 92126, USA), you and friends spend two hours learning basic bonsai techniques while sampling locally brewed, USDA Certified Organic beers and lounging on an elevated patio with bay views. The event is 21+ and geared to beginners: instructors guide each step as you pot, prune, wire, and style a diminutive tree, choosing from a selection of starter nursery specimens and handpicked pots.

The contrast is what makes this experience a standout. Instead of fluorescent classroom lights you work under string bulbs and open skies; instead of a quiet greenhouse you’re surrounded by the chatter of a busy taproom and the clink of pint glasses. Protector Brewery’s Hide Site was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty; the venue’s name and aesthetic nod to that background while offering an upscale, approachable setting. With 28 drafts, thin-crust pizzas, and a menu of seasonal snacks, the brewery supplies the social fuel to turn a craft workshop into a memorable night out.

Practical details matter: classes last about two hours and organizers ask guests to arrive at least 15 minutes early to order food and pick a tree and pot. Meeting/check-in information lists 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 for certain sessions—confirm your booking email for the correct check-in location. Reservations fill quickly; space is limited and classes run on a first-booked basis.

Why locals and travelers love it: Bonsai Bar compresses an art-form into a friendly, do-able evening that rewards curiosity rather than prior skill. It’s uniquely suited to an urban coastal setting—small, living sculptures beside the bay—so you leave with a handmade object, a few practiced techniques, and the pleasure of having learned in a social setting. The evening is low-impact but creative, perfect for date nights, team outings, or anyone who wants a hands-on souvenir beyond the usual magnet or t-shirt.

Expect to walk away with care tips from instructors, a potted bonsai to continue shaping at home, and a better appreciation for how patient pruning and a steady hand can turn a seedling into an artful miniature tree. Book early, come thirsty, and be ready to clip, pot, and learn.

Bring a carry bag or box to transport your finished plant home and plan to keep it out of extreme heat for the first week; instructors provide basic aftercare but long-term health depends on light, watering, and occasional pruning. Sessions are social and informal—perfect for singles, small groups, and corporate team nights. Refunds are only issued if a class is canceled for lack of enrollment, so check cancellation policies.