Do I need a ticket for my child or partner?

Yes. Events are ticketed per person; each participant needs a ticket because space and materials are allocated per attendee.

Are drinks included with the ticket?

No. BarrelHouse offers food and drinks for purchase, but beverages are not included in the class fee.

When should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the event to check in, pick your tree and pot, and order food or drinks if you want them.

What’s included with the ticket?

You get to keep a tree you pick, a ceramic bonsai pot, two hours of instruction, access to borrowed tools, and ongoing support through Bonsai Bar’s Tree-iage program.

Are these workshops appropriate for beginners?

Yes. Workshops are designed for beginners and cover basic soil, pruning, wiring, and watering techniques.

What is the refund policy?

Bonsai Bar does not typically offer refunds unless a class is canceled or fails to reach minimum numbers; check the event details for specifics.

Mini Bonsai Night at BarrelHouse in Killingworth — 2-Hour Outdoor Workshop

On a clear evening off Route 81 in Killingworth, Connecticut, Bonsai Bar at BarrelHouse turns a simple patio into a hands-on miniature forest. Meet at 176 CT-81 Building 1, Killingworth, CT 06419, USA, where small-batch wine, craft beer, and cocktails fuel a relaxed, two-hour workshop that walks beginners through choosing, styling, and potting their own tiny tree. The format is direct and lively: an instructor demonstrates soil mixes and pruning, guests pick a sapling and ceramic pot, and everyone leaves with a living piece of craft and continuing support via Bonsai Bar’s Tree-iage program.

This is an outdoor event on a venue patio, so the scene blends casual brewery and winery culture with a close-up study of plant form. Key features include the row of prepared workstations, ceramic pots, shears and chopsticks for shaping root runs, and a selection of hardy starter species well suited to indoor care. In the broader landscape, Killingworth sits inland from the Connecticut shoreline in a region of oak-hickory and white pine—local tree forms that make bonsai a fitting craft here, and that also supply inspiration for styling and silhouette.

Beginner-friendly but focused, the class covers soil, watering rhythms, basic wiring and trimming, and how to coax a tree through the first year. Because the venue serves food and drink, the evening is social: plan to arrive 15 minutes early to order and secure your seat. The ticket includes your tree, a ceramic pot, tools to borrow, two hours of guided instruction, and access to follow-up advice; drinks and food are extra.

What makes Bonsai Bar at BarrelHouse a standout is the pairing of tactile plant work with a community-focused tasting room. It’s an accessible way to learn botanical craft without a greenhouse or a long course, and it brings a quieter, plant-centered activity to an otherwise lively local scene. For visitors exploring central Connecticut’s coastline and river valleys, it’s a low-effort, high-reward night out—a creative souvenir that grows with you.

Practical notes: under-21 policies vary by venue—check ahead—and events are ticketed per person. Classes run about two hours and are best for people interested in plants and a relaxed social setting. If you’re staying nearby, the coastal towns and state forests around Killingworth make for a scenic day before or after your workshop. Bring comfortable clothing that can handle a little soil—old jeans and a smock are smart choices. Workshops are family-friendly at many BarrelHouse locations, but check the under-21 policy at this specific event. Because classes are small and ticketed per person, booking ahead is recommended; Bonsai Bar rarely issues refunds unless the class is canceled. The result is a durable keepsake and hobby you can easily nurture on a windowsill or porch.