London & South East

Dining in the dark

Dans le Noir, London, Clerkenwell

Founded by Edouard de Broglie and Etienne Boisrond in 2004, Dans le Noir offers an innovative concept in dining – all meals are eaten in the dark!

With more and more guests experiencing Dans le Noir since its launch, the concept has so far become a big success in Paris, London and Barcelona.

Paris was the first location, with the Dans le Noir restaurant opening in 2004 before being transported to London two years later. The third site opened in Barcelona in 2009 and at present Dans le Noir is being transformed into a franchise opportunity.

Discussing the concept, Dans le Noir, General Manager, Dominique Raclin, said:

“At Dans le Noir we provide a unique experience which allows people to rediscover the senses that they perhaps don’t use, whilst at the same time take part in an interesting social experience. The concept began ten years ago in Paris and has become a terrific success.”

Dominique said:

“We are now working hard on our franchise opportunities, so we might open a site in Brazil in time for the next Olympic Games or possibly Saudi Arabia, India or many other locations. A lot of people visit us in London from overseas and when they return home they consider the possibilities of opening their own Dans le Noir.

“We have carefully placed Dans le Noir in key locations because we want the concept to remain unique. We only have one Dans le Noir in each capital.”

Dans le Noir, London, Clerkenwell

Dans le Noir London is situated in Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon Station and is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. The restaurant is divided into three key areas – a bar and lounge; a large dining room; and an ante-room – with food orders taken before guest are led into the dark dining room.

The restaurant is open daily on reservation, as well as the bar, where guests can come and enjoy a drink or light snack during the day. For safety and security, lockers are provided in the bar for guests to store away their valuables and the dining room is fitted with infra-red cameras.

The restaurant’s ante-room acts as a go-between in the restaurant, allowing guests to enter the dining room without any intrusion from the light. Meanwhile all safety and emergency procedures have been taken into account with clearly indicated emergency exits which illuminate when required.

Blind staff are on hand at Dans le Noir to act as guides, leading guests throughout each area of the restaurant. Staff members assist guests with seating and serve food and drinks, in order to make dining at Dans le Noir a seamless experience.

Dans le Noir serves an eclectic selection of food all inspired by French cuisine, with a ‘surprise menu’ to remove all preconceptions. Upon exciting the dining room guests are shown pictures of their meals so they can see exactly what they have eaten.

Dans le Noir, London, Clerkenwell

For more information about Dans le Noir London, please visit: www.london.danslenoir.com.

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Roma Publications