Frequently Asked Questions
More about our policy...
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Is it really a pitch-black dining room?
Yes it is ! The room where the dinner takes place is completely dark! We aren't used to completely dark environment since you hardly find this level of darkness in daily life as, we are used to small rays of light from the streetlights or moonlight but in the Dans le Noir ? restaurant there is no light at all! To keep the room completely dark, you will be asked to place all potential sources of light such as cigarettes, lighters, watches, cell phones or cameras in the free lockers at your disposal in the reception room. You can also use the lockers to drop your coat and/or purse.
How can we eat in complete darkness? Don't we mess? Do we get food all over our clothes?
Once deprived from our main sense, the sight, we tend to rely more on our other senses, sense of hearing, of touch and smell. Thus, they will help you to get by in the dark room to eat but also reach your table. Even though at the beginning it can be daunting, then it becomes more and more enjoyable as you start to relax. Our blind guides are carefully trained to ensure visitors' welfare and will provide you with guidance.
Why are the waiters blind?
Blind people are more competent in the darkness and are the best people capable of doing the job in such context. You will become blind for at least one and half hour and you really must be able to trust your waiter. It is a true "transfer of trust" and an amazing approach to raise awareness about blind disability and disability in general.
How do we move around in the dark room?
Visitors aren't allowed to wander in the dark room, go to the restrooms or leave by themselves as it could put other customers and the waiters at risk (remember the guides are blind and need clear walkways to work around the tables). If you wish to do so on any occasion, make sure your waiter is informed and thus able to assist you.
How to place an order? How to see the menu?
The welcoming staff is responsible for taking orders in the lit area. But you can of course re-order drinks or extra food directly from your waiter whenever you wish.
How to get the attention of your guide?
Simply call his name. The guide will be introduced to you before you enter the dark room.
Are there many blind people among your visitors?
Not particularly however all of them enjoyed the experience because it's a unique way to share with their friends and relatives what it feels like being blind.
Are the chefs blind? Is the kitchen dark too?
The chefs are not blind and kitchen is lit as the Head chef and his team must be able to equally use each of their senses to deliver a great cuisine. They prepare creative and exciting dishes that play with flavours and use fresh and tasty ingredients for guests to have a unique culinary experience.
Are the toilets in the dark?
Would be fun but no toilets aren't dark but fully lit! The toilets are located at the ground floor level and also on the first floor.
Do you often have people who can't cope with eating in the dark?
It is very rare to see someone not feeling comfortable with dining in the dark! It is such an amazing experience that the majority of people feel amazed by this very unusual and exciting moment which is all about a rediscovery of the other senses. Your assumption will prove unfounded! Out of more than 100,000 visitors in Paris only a few of our customers felt the need to leave the dark room before finishing their dining.
How do you deal with security matters?
Everything has been taken into account carefully! There are adequate security equipments in the premises. The lights switch on automatically in the event of any emergency. Special emergency exits have been designed and checked by the local council to be fully compliant (Building Regulation Division of Islington).
Is the dark room monitored by CCTV cameras?
Yes, we do film the room with infrared cameras and keep records to ensure the visitors' welfare and safety. Please be assured that we only watch the records in case of an incident or on a customer’s request.
What type of food do you serve?
Our restaurant serves an eclectic and innovative world food inspired by French Cuisine. Each dish is the explosion of diverse flavors and prepared to educate visitors about this new way of exploring food.
What about special diet requirements?
The welcoming staff will ask you if you have any special dietary requirements or suffer from any food allergies. In such cases, the chef would amend your menu accordingly.
How long do we stay inside the dark room?
On average visitors will spend between one and a half hours and two hours in the dark room.
Is it expensive?
We have been striving to keep our prices reasonable in order to make this experience accessible to everyone. The current prices took into account strict safety requirements.
How many visually impaired people are employed?
11 permanent guides. Additional specialists are also available on call for special events such as private hires, corporate events (product launches for instance), official receptions, media launches, press events, sensory workshops, etc.
How many seats does the restaurant accommodate?
There are 60 seats in the main dark dining room with 30 additional seats in the upstairs lounge. The lounge is used flexibly and can either be kept lit or be plunged in the dark.
Do you have any anecdote?
We had customers admitting licking their chocolate sauce from their plates! And they were right! Some people met via an Internet chat room and decided to have their first "blind date" in the darkroom before eventually discovering their faces around a drink in the lit lounge. We also organize events in the dark such as reading and debates and these events usually make amazing moments and memories!
In complete darkness everyone is equal whether they are politicians, actors or celebrities, ... they all look alike in the dark as no label can be read and their appearance or etiquettes also disappear into the darkness. .
How and who came up with this unusual concept? – Some history...
Dinners in total darkness are said to have existed from the late 19th century even though it is difficult to verify it. In the 90's, researchers like Andreas Heineke in Germany or Michel Reilhac in France have tried to develop this concept further by organizing (mostly over the last decade), all over Europe across a full range of experiences such as dining, dark bars, tactile and audio exhibitions, art performances… of course all of them in complete darkness!
Such experiences have also been developed in France since 1999, thanks to the Paul Guinot Foundation (the second largest organization for blind people in France); this foundation has developed a program of dinners in total darkness called "Le gout du noir?" "Taste of darkness" This program has been very successful especially in the media and led Michel Reilhac to produce the first TV show in total darkness. Shot in infrared this show was presented by two journalists, one of whom was blind.
A restaurant, Blinde Kuh, was opened in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2000 by a foundation for blind people and is still running successfully. Another one opened in Berlin, Germany very recently. All these experiences have been successful and always rewarded by good feedbacks and reviews from the public as well as from the media.
"Dans le Noir?" was founded by Edouard de Broglie and Etienne Boisrond in Paris in 2004 - the first private company to develop this concept in Europe. "Dans le Noir ?" London is the largest restaurant of its kind in the world.
Can we bring our young children with us?
Yes of course, children from the age of 7 are welcome; for children under the age of 7 this experience could be a bit frightening. By the way we regularly organize children's meals to enable them to develop the sensory experience and raise awareness of the blind disability among the young people. We also offer a special menu for kids.
Should we book in advance?
Yes, we advise visitors to book in advance because the restaurant is often fully booked 1 or even 2 weeks in advance.
For our London branch, you can book on 020 7253 1100 or booking@danslenoir.com.
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