Slip into a silky smooth blindfold and feel every other sensation heighten as you dare to dine in the dark. The delectable three-course mystery menu is even more indulgent in the alluring ambiance. Touch and taste your way to a new level of intimacy with your date. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
The Background
Dining in the Dark DC is back in the city by popular demand. With 4.8 out of 5 stars, this sultry feast continues to impress. The evening elevates your other senses, allowing you to focus on flavors, textures, and aromas in a more profound way.
This date is worth a try, from the culinary surprises and fun eating challenge, to the romantic atmosphere. The chefs meticulously curate a menu that aims to awaken your taste buds. Pick a vegan, seafood, or meat option at the restaurant of your choice. They’ll take care of the rest.
The Standout Features
There’s a menu of reasons to love this date:
- Be a Kid Again – It’s delightful to experience childlike wonder as you feel your way through each course. You can’t help but laugh, and that joy is contagious. It’s endearing and attractive to see your date embrace this side of themselves.
- Enjoy Surprises – The entire evening is jam-packed with fun revelations that will keep you engaged and excited. The mystery piques your interest, leading to a more captivating experience.
- Work Together – You and your date must collaborate to decode each dish. The chance to be a team as you put the puzzle pieces together strengthens your connection and is just plain fun.
- Listen Better – When you’re blindfolded, you get rid of so many distractions. When you remove the clutter, listening to your date becomes easier and you hear more clearly. It’s a fascinating sensation and one that’s bound to increase your connection.
- Romantic – Not seeing makes you vulnerable. Add in the dark ambiance and heightened sensations, and you have a recipe for romance. Try reaching out to hold their hand, for example. There’s something extra in that touch.
The Experience
Date Lead Up - Appetizers
The night begins at Ambar in Clarendon, Virginia. Uber after Uber drops off curious couples, all gathering in eager anticipation. When the time comes, we’re ushered downstairs into Ambar’s Ba Ba Bar. I sense the undercurrent of excitement that pulses through the group. Once we show our tickets and waivers, we receive two bright red electric tea lights. In the darkness, the color will signal our choice of the meat menu to the waiters. Brilliant.
I’m glad my date and I arrived when the doors opened. We have first pick of the tables and extra time to chat before lights out. Our fingertips explore our soft blindfolds as we devise a strategy to navigate the wooden landscape in the dark. Then, we’re making a toast to a great evening ahead over complimentary champagne. My eyes settle on the drink selection. I’m thrilled to see “Surprise Cocktail” on the list. The waiter tells me they won’t serve the mystery libation until we’re blindfolded. It’s up to me to guess the drink’s identity, and I happily accept the challenge.
Date Main Event - The Primary Course
Small chimes resonate throughout the room. It’s starting. Our host outlines the evening ahead and then tells us to adorn our blindfolds. Our guide reads a detail-rich description of the first course that stops short of revealing its contents. Soon after, a waiter informs me that my dish is on the table. I can’t help but giggle as I gingerly search for my food.
Once I’ve found it, my date and I delight in the detective work needed to name the ingredients. “This is definitely feta”, I triumphantly exclaim to him between chews. He laughs at my determination as I take a few more bites. My investigation continues. “Hmmm, onions? I think these are onions. Do you taste that?” The blissful chuckles persist as we try to finish the puzzle together.
When we’re done eating, we hear the host’s familiar chime. The place transforms from a restaurant to a game show as each dining group (meat, seafood, and vegan) calls out their guesses for round one. When the emcee unveils the answers, the crowd swells with victorious glee and amusement. We’re pretty close. This entertaining activity carries on for three more rounds. At some point, the staff asks if we’d like a picture. I give them my phone and we smile without our sight.
My dinner partner and I laugh during each dish. We approach every course like a crime scene, exploring the evidence with our hands to solve the mystery. Frequently, I reach for my plate to check if it’s there, only to find it missing. I didn’t notice that anyone came, I think to myself, elated by these slight surprises. Now, I know you’re wondering about this surprise cocktail. I won’t spoil it for you, but I recommend the experience. Trying to push the drink to my plus one without spilling is even more fun.
Date Wrap Up - Dessert
We’re invited to remove our blindfolds after we finish eating. As my eyes adjust to the candlelit surroundings, I watch my still-blindfolded date happily enjoy what’s left of a very decadent dessert. He’s a chocolate fiend if there ever was one. I smile at his childlike wonder while he searches for the last bite on the plate.
His vulnerability makes me feel closer to him. Without my vision, our conversations became more focused and intentional. The night was worth it just for that sensation. Then, our host says we can keep the blindfolds. It’s a great memento of this out-of-sight evening.
The Planning
No need to figure out all the logistics. We did it for you.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for... | ✔ A few dates in ✔ Steady couple |
| Seasons | Runs year-round |
| Typical Hours | Days and times vary by location, but dinners tend to take place at 6 or 8:30 pm Tue - Thur and Sun. |
| Duration | Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours, but recommend you arrive 15-20 minutes before the start time |
| Cost | $72/person |
| Address | The address varies by location |
| Website | |
| Attire | You can wear casual clothes or dress up - whatever works best for you. You'll fit in no matter what you choose. |
| Contact Information | Fill out this Contact Form |
| Cancellation Policy | There are no refunds. Changes to other dates/times are allowed up to 72 hours before your event and is based on availability. Contact Fever in this case. |
The Post-Date Options
Are you looking to extend dessert? Instead of ending the night, let’s keep it going! If you need it, here’s a cheat sheet to guide you to your next destination. You can choose any option near whichever restaurant you pick – Ambar in Clarendon or Paraiso. Your partner will never know you had it planned.
The maps show the restaurants (purple) and post-date options (green) in one place, just for you 🙂 Before you go, though, always double check opening times in case something’s changed.
Ambar in Clarendon Options
- Buena Vida (1 min walk): Grab drinks at this gorgeous Mexican restaurant that reinvents the classics. Open till 10:00 pm Sun – Thurs, 11:00 pm Fri, and 2:00 am Sat.
- Galaxy Hut (3 min walk): Embrace the out-of-this world dive bar with tables that double as arcade games. Play your partner as you wait for a wide variety of craft beers. Everything is 100% vegan. Open till midnight Sun – Wed and 2:00 am Fri & Sat.
- Nicecream (3 min walk): This place makes all their ice cream on the spot using liquid nitrogen. A fun twist on a classic, these dynamic flavors are sure to impress. Open till 10:00 pm Sun – Tues, 10:30 pm Wed & Thurs, and 11:00 pm Fri & Sat.
- Spider Kelly’s (5 min walk): Chat in one of their lounge areas over a drink or play a game together. From pool to darts, there’s plenty to do. Open daily till 2:00 am.
Paraiso Options
- Ambar Capitol Hill (6 min walk): Enjoy traditional Balkan drinks and decadent desserts at this unique restaurant. Open till 10:00 pm Sun – Thurs, 11:00 pm Fri & Sat.
- Trusty’s Full-Service (9 min walk): The bar is inside of a school bus. If that’s not enough reason to visit this dive bar, I don’t know what is. Go for a drink and see if live music is playing that night. Open till 2:00 am Sun – Thurs, 3:00 am Fri & Sat.
- NY Pizza Grill (10 min walk): If you have room, take a walk and enjoy some fun sweets at this nod to the New York classic. Open till 1:00 am Mon – Thurs, 2:30 am Fri & Sat, 2:00 am Sun.