Located away from Longyearbyen, the lone white house, Huset, has profound historical significance.
Constructed after World War II and opened in 1951, it initially served as a Cultural Center, hosting diverse functions such as a church, school, post office, dance hall, theater, and recreational activities. The main hall upstairs doubled as a gym for Svalbard Turn. For a brief period in the 1950s, it even functioned as a hospital. Its primary role, however, was as a social hub and café where workers gathered, irrespective of their position, to enjoy a beer after work.
Today, Huset houses a restaurant, bistro, and hosts events like the Dark Season Blues, Polar Jazz Festival, and the northernmost Oktoberfest.
