Are Bonsai Bar workshops 21+?

Venues vary; many are family-friendly and allow under-21 guests with a guardian. Confirm the venue's under-21 policy before booking.

Can two people share one tree/ticket?

No. Tickets are sold per person and each attendee receives their own tree and materials.

What’s included with a ticket?

You get to keep a tree, a ceramic pot, tools to borrow, two hours of instruction, soil, and ongoing Tree-iage support.

When should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before start time to check in, order food or drinks, and choose your tree and pot.

Refunds are not typically offered unless a class is canceled or rescheduled due to insufficient enrollment or other operator issues.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes—workshops are designed for beginners and cover pruning, wiring basics, soil selection, and potting.

Build a Tiny Bonsai at Oak Street Brewery — Hands-On Workshop in New Orleans

Bonsai Bar @ Oak Street Brewery is a two-hour hands-on bonsai workshop held at Oak Street Brewery, 8201 Oak St, New Orleans, Louisiana. The experience pairs the steady focus of miniature tree care with the laid-back social energy of a neighborhood brewery on a lively commercial corridor. Beginner-friendly instruction leads you through picking a tree, choosing a ceramic pot, learning pruning and wiring basics, and potting your own tiny tree to take home. The event is family- and dog-friendly and designed to fit into an evening out - think laid-back creativity punctuated by craft beer and dartboard banter.

Stepping into the venue, you'll notice the industrial-brewery bones softened by long communal tables and a scattering of plants. Oak Street's older live oaks and local storefronts frame the block outside, while inside instructors teach practical bonsai methods: soil selection, root trimming, basic wiring, and long-term care tips that make a desk-sized tree thrive. Bonsai Bar supplies tools, ceramic pots, and soil; attendees get two hours of guided time and lifetime support via the program's Tree-iage follow-up. Workshops begin promptly; arrivals 15 minutes early are recommended for check-in and seating.

This workshop stands out in New Orleans because it blends craft-movement conviviality with a tactile, slow-craft hobby uncommon to the city's nightlife. Rather than a passive class, Bonsai Bar is hands-on, social, and accessible—perfect for travelers wanting a weatherproof indoor activity that still connects them to place. It's an especially good fit on cooler evenings when Oak Street's storefronts glow and the air carries a faint scent of wood and hops. The format also works well for small groups, dates, or solo travelers who want an easy way to meet locals.

Practical details: tickets are per person (no sharing one tree per two people) and you should bring your own food or purchase at the venue. Workshops may be canceled if minimum numbers aren't met; refunds aren't usually offered except in those situations. The setting is tolerant of under-21 guests depending on venue policy, so check before you book. What you'll leave with is more than a pot: you'll leave with basic bonsai skills, a living keepsake, and access to ongoing care support.

Whether you're a curious beginner or a traveler looking for a compact, creative evening, this class turns a casual night at a brewery into a practical, hands-on craft lesson rooted in New Orleans' Oak Street culture. Plan to book in advance—sessions sell out on weekends—and arrive ready to focus: bring a towel or apron if you prefer not to get soil on your clothes. The two-hour format leaves time afterward to explore Oak Street's bakeries and music venues; keep the bonsai's future care in mind and sign up for Tree-iage support if needed.