What is Bohemian Grove: Inside the mysterious elite men's only retreat that is name-checked in Ryan Garcia's disturbing new claims

Ryan Garcia has claimed 'higher elites' tied him up and forced him to watch children being raped in an explicit rant where he added 'Bohemian Grove is real'.

The pro boxer joined controversial influencer Andrew Tate - currently embroiled in a sex trafficking court case in Romania - On an X 'Space' chat room where he added that he was raped himself aged two by a family member.

The exchange was part of a series of social media appearances and posts by the 25-year-old which led to concerns from many over his mental health, ahead of a world-title fight with Devin Haney on April 20, including a claim that he has photographic evidence of aliens' existence.

Garcia told Tate: 'Bro they f****ng took me to the f****ng woods bro and they tied me up, I'm not f****ng joking bro I have f****ng proof bro, I don't give a f**k.'

Find out more about the real place Ryan Garcia was referring to by reading on. 

Ryan Garcia (pictured) has claimed 'higher elites' tied him up and forced him to watch children being raped in an explicit rant where he added, 'Bohemian Grove is real'

Bohemian Grove is the campsite which hosts an annual meeting of some of the world's most powerful men. Previous Bohemian Club members or guests have included presidents Ronald Reagan (left) and Richard Nixon (right)

The fortnight-long encampment begins with the 'Cremation of Care' (pictured) which involves burning an effigy in front of a giant owl statue

What is Bohemian Grove?

Bohemian Grove is an exclusive 2,700-acre campsite on Bohemian Avenue, Sonoma County, California, which hosts the men's-only Bohemian Club.

According to the club's website, the vast Redwood forest retreat includes trails, river access and outdoor theatrical and dining venues.

Every July there is a camp on the site for over a fortnight attended by some of earth's most influential men from politics, culture and business.

The encampment involves over 100 entertainment events, performed by club members, and outdoor activities such as hiking and canoeing.

The club's motto reads, 'weaving spiders come not here' - taken from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream - implies that talk of business is supposed to be avoided on the premises, but this has been ignored on famous occasions.

One such abandonment of this principle came in 1942, when a planning meeting for the Manhattan Project was held on the campsite, playing a part in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. 

Bohemian Grove is a 2,700-acre site in California which provides access to hikes, swimming and outdoor entertainment venues. Pictured: Members at 2017's Spring Jinx

The Bohemian Club was started by journalists, artists and musicians in San Francisco in 1872, and they began visiting Bohemian Grove annually in the 1890s 

When was Bohemian Grove established?

The Bohemian Club was started by journalists, artists and musicians in San Francisco in 1872 - Mark Twain was an early member - and the first two-week encampment came six years later.

The first camp at what is now known as Bohemian Grove came before the turn of the 20th century, and the club began acquiring the area incrementally from 1901.

At its outset, the club was 'for the association of gentlemen connected professionally with Literature, Art, Music, Drama and also those who, by reason of their love or appreciation of these objects and their interest in participating in Club activities, may be deemed eligible.'

Over time the artsy roots of the club expanded to include scientists, businesspeople and politicians. Members are allowed to bring guests but the gathering is closed to media and outsiders.

The encampment involves over 100 entertainment events, performed by club members at outdoor venues

Who has attended Bohemian Grove?

The Bohemian Club is made up by some 2,500 members, but there is no complete list of them.

However, photographs from the annual retreats and word-of-mouth have revealed many previous Bohemian Grove attendees.

These have included presidents Herbert Hoover, Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, as well as an A-list of those in the fields originally stated as the club's target demographic.

Nowadays, the most high-profile members of the Bohemian Club are political figureheads, but it was founded by journalists, artists and musicians. Pictured: Early 20th century writers and club members (L-R) George Sterling, James Hopper, Harry Leon Wilson and Jack London

Why is Bohemian Grove controversial?

Over decades, many journalists have attempted to sneak into Bohemian Grove.

In 1989, Spy magazine went undercover and mixed with the likes of Henry Kissinger, and called what they saw 'the establishment's secret two-week frat party'.

But much more sinister accusations were made by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in 2000 after he snuck onto the grounds.

Jones - whose historic claims have included saying the Sandy Hook shooting was staged, leading to him being ordered to pay victims' families $1.5 billion in damages - recorded one of the camp rituals as guests burnt an effigy at the 'Cremation of Care'.

Many refer to the ceremony as a 'satanic ritual', but it is presented as a metaphorical banishment of members;' worldly cares which are to be left outside the Grove's boundaries.

Sinister claims about the Bohemian Club were made by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones (above) in 2000, after he snuck into the camp and filmed the Cremation of Care

The club has also been shrouded in controversy over its reluctance to employ women until a court order in 1981. Pictured, is the club's San Francisco 'City Club' base

The InfoWars host also produced a documentary filled with lurid claims about the goings on at Bohemian Grove including grand plotting and human sacrifice.

Jon Ronson, a journalist who accompanied Jones on the trip, reflected differently, writing: 'My lasting impression was of an all-pervading sense of immaturity.

'I wondered whether the Bohemians shroud themselves in secrecy for reasons no more sinister than they thought it was cool.'

Outside of the conspiratorial claims, the camp has been the target of anti-nuclear, anti-capitalist and environmental protests in recent years by virtue of those who attend being people of power and influence.

Other controversies around the Bohemian Club include a 1978 discrimination charge as it emerged that the club refused to hire women and it was ordered to begin recruiting and hiring female employees in October 1981.

In 2023, a former employee of the club sued it over alleged labor violations including overworking staff.

Anthony Gregg told Air Mail that the club's parties were like college but with 'more money and better alcohol'.