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Learn basic bonsai techniques and leave with your own potted tree at Bonsai Bar inside Sunnylands Center & Gardens. This two-hour, beginner-friendly workshop pairs hands-on instruction with the distinctive desert gardens and cultural history of the Annenberg estate.
Learn basic bonsai techniques and leave with your own potted tree at Bonsai Bar inside Sunnylands Center & Gardens. This two-hour, beginner-friendly workshop pairs hands-on instruction with the distinctive desert gardens and cultural history of the Annenberg estate.
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Operated by Bonsai Bar · Rancho Mirage, California
At Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage, California, Bonsai Bar offers a playful, hands-on two-hour workshop where you'll design and take home your own tiny tree. The setting is impossible to ignore: this former winter home of Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg sits on a 200-acre estate whose low-slung architecture, broad lawns, and desert plantings create a calm, cultivated backdrop for a creative afternoon. The contrast between the estate's expansive gardens and the miniature scale of bonsai is part of the charm. Your ticket includes everything: a live sapling chosen from a curated selection, a ceramic pot, soil and tools to borrow, and two hours of step-by-step instruction focused on pruning, wiring, and basic aftercare. Instructors guide small groups through shaping techniques suited to beginners, and the Tree-iage program gives ongoing support after you walk away with your pot cradling new green life. Bring a friend and a beverage if the venue allows; workshops begin promptly and check-in is recommended fifteen minutes early so you can pick your tree and settle in. What makes Bonsai Bar at Sunnylands especially memorable is the setting: framed views of date palms, sculpted lawns, and desert-adapted plants give the session a distinctly Coachella Valley character. The estate's modernist design and public gardens offer plenty to explore before or after class, from shaded walkways to quiet lawns where the scale and precision of bonsai feel particularly resonant with the larger landscape. This is also a place with history — public programming at Sunnylands reflects the estate's role as both cultural site and retreat — so your workshop sits inside a broader story of place. Plan to arrive early in the afternoon during cooler months when the gardens are at their most comfortable; summer afternoons are hot and air-conditioned indoor spaces may be limited. The experience is beginner-friendly — no previous horticultural skills required — but success depends on basic attention to instruction and a little patience as your tree settles into its new home. Workshops are ticketed per person; sharing one tree between two attendees is not permitted. Refunds are issued only if a session is canceled by Bonsai Bar. Expect to leave with a clear care plan: watering cadence, light needs, and pruning windows for Southern California conditions. The pot and tree are yours to take; Bonsai Bar provides shears and a chopstick for potting, plus ongoing email help if questions arise. For visitors staying nearby, Rancho Mirage provides a desert base and access to the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs attractions, and hiking in foothills. Whether you’re buying a gift, looking for a creative date night, or wanting a slow, hands-on craft amid desert gardens, this two-hour class compresses skill, social time, and a living souvenir into a satisfying, memorable afternoon.
No. Events are ticketed per person and each attendee must have their own ticket and tree.
Age policies vary by venue; many events are family friendly but check the UNDER 21 POLICY with the venue before booking.
No. Drinks are not included unless the venue advertises otherwise; bring or purchase beverages where permitted.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled event to check in, choose your tree, and get seated.
You keep a tree you pick, a ceramic bonsai pot, two hours of instruction, and access to borrowing tools; ongoing Tree-iage support is offered.
Refunds are only provided if a class is canceled or rescheduled by Bonsai Bar; otherwise tickets are non-refundable.
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