Småflaskemuseet

Småflaskemuseet, known in English as the Mini Bottle Gallery, is a museum of miniature bottles in central Oslo, at Kirkegata 10. According to the available sources, it is the only museum of its kind in the world. It opened in 2003 on the initiative of Christian Ringnes, a Norwegian businessman and collector nicknamed the "Mini Bottle King".

What kind of museum is it?

The collection holds tens of thousands of small liquor bottles from around the world. Sources give different totals: Store norske leksikon mentions about 50,000 items, while Atlas Obscura cites more than 53,000. A large share is on display, and the rest is kept in what the museum calls its bottle vault.

The exhibits are not lined up on plain shelves. They are arranged in more than 50 themed installations across three floors, covering roughly 1,000 square metres. A visit feels like walking through a series of stage sets rather than looking at an ordinary display case.

What will you see inside?

• a pub built entirely from miniature bottles,
• a "horror cave" that you can reach by sliding down,
• a sports room,
• a model railway,
• a tongue-in-cheek installation themed around a brothel.

The mix of humour, unusual scale and collector's passion puts the museum on lists of Norway's quirky museums. It is often recommended to travellers who want something beyond the standard capital sightseeing route.

Getting there and when to visit

The museum sits in the city centre on Kirkegata, close to the main sights of central Oslo, so it fits easily into a walking route. According to VisitNorway, regular public opening is on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 16:00. On Thursday and Friday evenings an afterwork programme runs from 16:00 to 22:00. At other times guided tours can be booked, and the space can be hired for private events. It is worth checking the official website for current hours before you go.

Who is it for?

It suits couples, groups of friends, families with teenagers and anyone who enjoys offbeat collections. Because some installations have a humorous, adult theme, it is not a typical exhibition for small children. A visit usually takes about an hour, though the amount of detail makes it easy to stay longer.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Småflaskemuseet? Christian Ringnes, a Norwegian businessman and collector, in 2003.

Where is the museum? In central Oslo, at Kirkegata 10.

How many bottles are in the collection? Sources range from about 50,000 to more than 53,000 miniature bottles, arranged in over 50 installations.

Is it really the only museum of its kind? According to the available descriptions, yes, it is the world's only miniature bottle museum.

Can I get a guided tour? Yes, guided tours can be booked outside the regular opening hours.