If xenomorphs were real, no sane person would want to hang out in their lair. But that’s science fiction. In the real world, fans of Alien and Swiss artist H.R. Giger might eagerly dive into such an experience. And if you do, the Museum HR Giger Bar in Switzerland is your ultimate destination.
Nestled in the Château St. Germain of Gruyères, this bar is no ordinary watering hole. It’s an immersive plunge into Giger’s surreal biomechanical vision. Picture sitting under crisscrossing vertebral arches, sipping your drink as you’re encased by walls that resemble a fossilized creature’s ribcage.
Even the furniture—like the “Harkonnen” chairs crowned with pelvic bones—reminds you that Giger’s aesthetic isn’t here to soothe but to intrigue and unsettle. The stone floors, engraved with alien glyphs, whisper of a mutated future civilization.
Opened in 2003, the bar was crafted from synthetic stone-like materials to preserve the medieval castle’s integrity. Giger’s meticulous attention to detail ensured that even the polished concrete felt strangely organic—soft like skin but as ancient as the bones it mimics. It’s a space that blurs the line between architecture and living art, making you wonder if your seat might start breathing.
Getting there involves scenic Swiss train rides, winding past Lake Geneva, or climbing hills through postcard-worthy villages. Whether you come from Zurich or Geneva, expect two and a half hours of jaw-dropping landscapes before you step into Gruyères’ eerie masterpiece.
Hours for both the bar and museum vary by season, so planning is essential. Prices for drinks and entry are available on-site. Safe to say, it’s a small price to pay for an unforgettable trip into the imagination of one of the most haunting artists of our time.
Images: Andy Davies/Museum HR Giger.
