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Spend two hours at Thompson Brewing Company crafting your own bonsai while sampling local beer. This beginner-friendly workshop supplies trees, pots, tools, and ongoing Tree-iage support—perfect for a creative night out in Riverside.
Spend two hours at Thompson Brewing Company crafting your own bonsai while sampling local beer. This beginner-friendly workshop supplies trees, pots, tools, and ongoing Tree-iage support—perfect for a creative night out in Riverside.
Book with Bonsai Bar
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bonsai Bar · Riverside, California
At Thompson Brewing Company in Riverside, California, Bonsai Bar is a two-hour hands-on workshop that pairs craft beer with the quiet, attentive craft of growing a miniature tree. Held at Thompson Brewing Co.'s tasting room and restaurant at 9900 Indiana Ave #7, the event invites beginners and curious locals to sit at long communal tables, choose a young tree and pot, and learn pruning, wiring, and repotting basics from experienced instructors. The format is convivial: arrive fifteen minutes early to pick your tree and pot, order food and drink, and settle in. Each ticket includes a tree, a ceramic bonsai pot, two hours of instruction, and follow-up support through the program’s Tree-iage care service. Tools such as shears, a chopstick for positioning roots, and soil bins are provided to help you compose a living sculpture before your eyes. Thompson Brewing Company itself is part of the experience. Opened in 2012, the brewery grew from a 700-square-foot storefront to a full-service taproom and restaurant with more than twenty beers on tap. The building’s relaxed industrial interior and rotating beer list make it easy to move from sampling suds to focusing on the tiny, patient work of bonsai shaping. Bonsai Bar highlights several key elements: the tactile learning of horticultural technique, the social atmosphere of a local taproom, and the stewardship of a living plant you take home. While this is an urban activity rather than a wilderness outing, it connects you to botany and long-standing cultural practices of tree training. The bonsai art form is the unique natural element here — small-scale arboriculture that emphasizes root management, seasonal pruning, and species-appropriate care. Practical notes: workshops are ticketed per person; two attendees cannot share one tree. Drink tickets are not included. Many venues welcome under-21 guests when accompanied by a guardian; check the venue’s underage policy. Refunds are only offered if a class is canceled for low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. For travelers staying in Riverside, Bonsai Bar is a low-effort, high-satisfaction evening activity that pairs well with a night exploring downtown or an afternoon at nearby Mount Rubidoux. It’s a great pick for a date night, a creative outing with friends, or anyone who wants a small, tangible project to carry home. The combination of craft beer, hands-on learning, and ongoing care support makes this workshop an unexpectedly memorable way to spend two hours in Southern California. Booking is handled online via the event page, seats are limited so reserve early, and the format welcomes complete beginners while offering useful technique for hobbyists; bring curiosity, plan for two hours, and expect to leave with a rooted starter, a ceramic pot, and basic skills to continue caring for your bonsai at home.
easy.
2 hours.
Minimal physical exertion required; fine motor skills and ability to stand for short periods are helpful.
No. Each attendee must have their own ticket and tree due to limited seating and materials.
Maybe. Many venues are family friendly and allow underage guests with a parent or guardian—check venue-specific underage policies.
No. Drinks and food are ordered separately from your workshop ticket.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start to check in, pick your tree and pot, and order food or drink.
You get a tree, a ceramic bonsai pot, two hours of instruction, access to shared tools (shears, chopstick, soil bins), and ongoing support via the Tree-iage program.
Refunds are only offered if a class is canceled due to low enrollment or other unforeseen cancellations; otherwise tickets are non-refundable.
Thompson Brewing Company opened in 2012, growing from a small storefront to a full taproom and restaurant.
The Bonsai Bar promotes plant stewardship through its Tree-iage follow-up program; guests are encouraged to reuse pots and practice sensible soil disposal to reduce waste.
Bonsai Bar is a mobile bonsai workshop company based in Providence, Rhode Island that brings hands-on bonsai experiences to bars, breweries, and taprooms. The business runs guided sessions where participants pot, prune, and design their own tiny bonsai trees in social, relaxed venues. Each event includes live instruction, supplies, and a take-home pot so guests can continue caring for their tree after the workshop. Bonsai Bar focuses on accessible, beginner-friendly learning: no prior bonsai experience is required and guides teach practical techniques for styling, basic pruning, and repotting. Events are hosted at local partner venues and regional breweries, creating a casual atmosphere that combines craft beverages with creative activity. Typical locations listed for events include Great Heights Brewing Company, 5 Rights Brewing Company, Protector Brewery, Fruition Brewing and Kitchen, and other community bars and taprooms. Bonsai Bar offers workshops designed for groups, date nights, friends’ outings, and team-building nights, emphasizing social connection and a memorable evening. Booking information, schedules, and specific venue details are provided for each listed event so attendees know what to expect. The operation maintains simple, transparent offerings and relies on trained instructors to deliver consistent, safe workshops. Materials and live guidance are provided at every session, and the format supports small groups to ensure individual attention. For people seeking a creative, hands-on night out in a bar or brewery setting, Bonsai Bar provides an approachable way to learn bonsai basics while enjoying a social atmosphere. Participants leave with a planted tree and simple care instructions included.
Book with Bonsai Bar