Chäferchäuer, a cultural cellar with a bistro, rents its rooms for concerts, theatre, cabaret, exhibitions, talks and other events in Herzogenbuchsee, in the Swiss canton of Bern. The concert cellar seats 60 in rows, the bistro takes about 20 standing guests, and the two can be hired together. It suits small groups that want a distinctive room instead of a hotel meeting space.
Seminars and company events
The owners opened the cellar in 2002 and describe it as open to a wide public for events of all kinds. Talks and lectures appear next to concerts, theatre, cabaret and exhibitions, so a short presentation, a staff evening or a small client event fits the format. The cellar has electric lighting and heating, and the stage lighting and mixing desk are always available. The room has strong acoustics, and in most cases no amplification is needed. Extra stage equipment can be rented on request.
Each rental covers one event of up to eight hours, ending by midnight at the latest. The owners publish a rental contract on the website for download.
Rooms and capacities
The concert cellar holds 60 seats in concert layout, or 42 seats at tables in a consumption layout. The stage suits music for up to 12 performers seated. The bistro holds about 20 standing guests around four tables and the bar, or at most 12 seated. In another layout it holds 25 standing guests. It comes with a complete kitchen with stove, oven, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher.
The whole Chäferchäuer can be rented as a single unit, or the bistro can be rented alone. Candle lighting is an optional extra: about 40 candles in the concert cellar, about 70 in the bistro and about 40 in the passages. A petroleum stove adds to the warm mood in the bistro.
Catering
There is no catering contract on the site. The bistro kitchen is fully equipped, and the rental includes it, so organisers can bring their own caterer or cook themselves. Check the plan with the owners before booking.
History and setting
The house at Sternenstrasse 1 was partly standing as early as 1653. It is a listed building, formerly known as the Fälderhof, and it survived a village fire that destroyed most of the old centre. Paul Born lived here from 1899 until his death in 1928. He directed a silk ribbon factory and collected ground beetles, and his collection reached more than 60,000 specimens. The name Chäferchäuer comes from the local dialect and means beetle cellar. The old sandstone vaults now hold the concert room and the bistro.
Getting there
Chäferchäuer is in the centre of Herzogenbuchsee, at Sternenstrasse 1 and 3, in the Oberaargau region. The site does not give train or parking details, so ask the owners about access and parking when you book.
