Bonsai and Brews: Craft a Tiny Tree on Shanty Shack’s Patio

SANTA CRUZ WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE

Bonsai and Brews: Craft a Tiny Tree on Shanty Shack’s Patio

A 2-hour beginner-friendly bonsai workshop at Shanty Shack Brewing where all materials are provided and you leave with your own planted tree.

Check availabilitySee guide details

Bonsai and Brews: Craft a Tiny Tree on Shanty Shack’s Patio.

Duration
2 Hours
Location
Santa Cruz
Operator
Bonsai Bar
Category
Workshop
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Set in Shanty Shack’s laidback nano-brewery and tasting-room in Santa Cruz, Bonsai Bar pairs hands-on bonsai instruction with backyard patio vibes, live music, rotating food trucks and a rotating tap list of small-batch craft beers—an approachable evening where you learn to pot and style a tiny tree while enjoying the local scene.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

Hands-on Bonsai: Plant, Prune, and Learn
THE WORKSHOP

Hands-on Bonsai: Plant, Prune, and Learn

Beginner-focused instruction walks you through selecting a tree, potting it, and basic trimming technique; all materials and two hours of guided bonsai wisdom are included so you leave with a planted specimen and the know-how to care for it.

Shanty Shack’s Backyard Vibe
THE VENUE

Shanty Shack’s Backyard Vibe

The event takes place at Shanty Shack, a family- and pet-friendly nano-brewery and tasting room with a vibrant outdoor patio, live music, and rotating food trucks—an informal setting that pairs craft beer with creative hands-on learning.

A Living Takeaway and Ongoing Support
WHAT YOU KEEP

A Living Takeaway and Ongoing Support

Tickets include the tree you pick and a ceramic bonsai pot to keep, plus access to ongoing support through Bonsai Bar’s Tree-iage program—tools such as shears and a chopstick are available to borrow during the session.

What the day feels like

How the Night Feels

Over a focused two-hour session you settle in on the brewery patio, check in, choose a tree and ceramic pot, and work step-by-step with instructors who guide the potting and basic styling. The tone is social and relaxed—bring a beverage, enjoy the live-music backdrop, and leave with a living project and access to follow-up care resources.

Hands-on Bonsai: Plant, Prune, and Learn

THE WORKSHOP

Hands-on Bonsai: Plant, Prune, and Learn

Beginner-focused instruction walks you through selecting a tree, potting it, and basic trimming technique; all materials and two hours of guided bonsai wisdom are included so you leave with a planted specimen and the know-how to care for it.

Shanty Shack’s Backyard Vibe

THE VENUE

Shanty Shack’s Backyard Vibe

The event takes place at Shanty Shack, a family- and pet-friendly nano-brewery and tasting room with a vibrant outdoor patio, live music, and rotating food trucks—an informal setting that pairs craft beer with creative hands-on learning.

A Living Takeaway and Ongoing Support

WHAT YOU KEEP

A Living Takeaway and Ongoing Support

Tickets include the tree you pick and a ceramic bonsai pot to keep, plus access to ongoing support through Bonsai Bar’s Tree-iage program—tools such as shears and a chopstick are available to borrow during the session.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this workshop suits—and what to confirm before you book.

1
Families with minorsMany venues hosting Bonsai Bar are family friendly, but under-21 entry rules vary—contact the venue directly to confirm whether children can attend and whether a guardian is required.
2
Beginners & curious makersThe workshop is geared toward beginners and provides all materials and step-by-step instruction; confirm venue access policies for any minors in your group.
3
Social groups and date nightsThe relaxed brewery setting makes this a social, low-pressure evening activity—verify venue policies on age and ticketing for everyone in your party.
4
Under-21 attendeesUnderage entry is subject to venue policy; Bonsai Bar asks that you contact the venue for details about under-21 attendance and accompanying guardians.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Duration & Schedule

Workshops run for two hours; please arrive 15 minutes early to check in so the session can start promptly. All core materials for the workshop are provided.

What to Bring

Bring the beverage of your choice (drink tickets are not included) and anything you want to eat while onsite; no additional bonsai tools are required—shears, chopstick and a soil bin are available to borrow.

Takeaway & Support

Each ticket includes the tree you pick and a ceramic bonsai pot to keep, plus ongoing support through the Tree-iage program after the workshop.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Can two people share one tree/ticket?

No. Events are ticketed per person and every attendee must have a ticket because space is limited in the venues.

Are Bonsai Bar workshops 21+?

Maybe—most venues are family friendly and may allow underage attendees with a parent or guardian; please see the venue’s under-21 policy or contact the venue directly for details.

Are drink tickets included with a workshop ticket?

No—drink tickets are not included in the price of a Bonsai Bar ticket.

When should I arrive to the event?

Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled event to get checked in and grab yourself a drink; workshops start promptly as scheduled.

What’s included with a ticket?

You get to keep the tree you pick and a ceramic bonsai pot, receive two hours of instruction, and gain ongoing support through the Tree-iage program; tools such as shears, a chopstick, and a soil bin are available to borrow during the session.

How long is the workshop?

Each Bonsai Bar session is two hours long.