Bonsai Bar Hosts Beginner Dwarf Jade Workshop at Long Live Beerworks

Bonsai Bar filled the taproom at Long Live Beerworks in Roxbury on January 18, 2026, for a beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop focused on Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra). The session offered urban plantkeepers and curious newcomers a practical introduction to bonsai basics, combining step-by-step instruction with the social setting of a brewery.

Participants worked directly on starter Dwarf Jade specimens and learned fundamental techniques: basic pruning, potting, styling and aftercare. Materials were supplied and each attendee left with a take-home tree. The event listing included BonsaiBar’s beginner tree guarantee, and organizers advised participants to arrive 15 minutes early. Tickets were priced at $85.

Holding a workshop inside a taproom brought two advantages for the local bonsai community. First, it lowered the barrier to entry by pairing a short, affordable workshop with a familiar, walk-in venue. Second, the casual setting encouraged conversation around routine tasks such as pruning frequency, watering routines and seasonal care—practical skills that make the difference between a neglected starter and a thriving specimen. For many in the neighborhood, a one-evening workshop that includes tools and a tree is a cost-effective way to learn fundamentals before investing in larger specimens or tools.

The Dwarf Jade choice was deliberate for a beginner course. Portulacaria afra is a compact species that responds well to shaping and offers visible results quickly, giving students an immediate sense of accomplishment as they wire, trim and repot. The session format emphasized hands-on repetition and take-home aftercare guidance so new owners could continue shaping their trees at home.

Bonsai Bar runs this format on a recurring monthly schedule at Long Live Beerworks, creating ongoing entry points for new growers and opportunities for repeat attendees to practice skills in a low-pressure environment. The event also noted the venue’s under-21 policy, making it clear that organizers and the venue coordinate to manage access and safety in the taproom.

For readers who missed the January session, the monthly cadence means more chances to get a starter tree and focused instruction without needing a full-blown class series. Expect more pop-up workshops that pair practical technique with social, neighborhood-friendly settings, making it easier to add a bonsai habit to city life.