Dining in the dark

An experiential dinner event

A group of people eat dinner at a long table - all are wearing blindfolds

Dining in the Dark is an experiential dinner that challenges attendees to rethink the importance of vision in the food experience.

The Council partners with restaurants across the state to provide Dining in the Dark fundraisers. Since the first Dining in the Dark event in Spring 2013, the Council has raised over $25,000. Dinners consist of two or three courses plus dessert. Guests are blindfolded during the majority of the meal. Diners do not know the menu ahead of time, and courses are described only after the first few bites (don’t worry – allergy information is taken into account ahead of time). Each course incorporates a variety of scents and textures to provide a full sensory, educational experience.

After dinner, Council staff lead discussions about enjoying food without using the sense of sight. Council staff also answer questions about cooking and eating with a visual impairment.

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 19 – Brix Cider – 4 Tickets Left

119 S Second St, Mount Horeb

-Gather at 6 p.m., Dinner at 6:30

-Dining in the Dark Dinner sponsored by WCBVI, hosted by Brix Cider.

-$65 per person

-Reservations and payment needed by May 12; non-refundable; transferable

-Menu is revealed during the dinner. It’s very important that you tell us about any food allergies on the registration form.

Please gather at Brix Cider between 6:00 and 6:15 to purchase a beverage and settle in at your table for dinner at 6:30. Seating is reserved, so if you are attending with others and you’re making separate reservations, please include a note so we know to seat you together. This will be a three-course dinner eaten while blindfolded, followed by conversations about your experience. The event is expected to take around two hours. We would like to thanks the owners of Brix Cider, Matt and Marie Raboin, as well as the staff at Brix Cider. Dining in the Dark is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. 

Tickets Available Now!

Tuesday, July 22 – Beastro & Barley

125 E Main St, Reedsburg

-Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.

-Dining in the Dark Dinner sponsored by WCBVI, hosted by Beastro & Barley

-$45 per person

-Reservations and payment needed by July 16; non-refundable; transferable

-Menu is revealed during the dinner. It’s very important that you tell us about any food allergies on the registration form.

Please gather at Beastro & Barley after 5:00; purchase a beverage and settle in at your table for an Arabian themed dinner at 6:00. Seating is reserved, so if you are attending with others and you’re making separate reservations, please include a note so we know to seat you together. This will be a three-course dinner eaten while blindfolded, followed by conversations about your experience. The event is expected to take around two hours. Thank you to Kari Walker and her staff at Beastro & Barley for hosting us! Dining in the Dark is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.

Tuesday, September 16 – Old Sugar Distillery

931 E Main St, Madison

-Gather at 6 p.m., Dinner at 6:30

-Dining in the Dark Dinner sponsored by WCBVI, hosted by Old Sugar Distillery and catered by Blue Plate Catering

-$85 per person

-Reservations and payment needed by September 9; non-refundable; transferable

-Menu is revealed during the dinner. It’s very important that you tell us about any food allergies on the registration form.

Please gather at Old Sugar Distillery between 6:00 and 6:15 to purchase a beverage and settle in at your table for dinner at 6:30. Seating is reserved, so if you are attending with others and you’re making separate reservations, please include a note so we know to seat you together. This will be a multi-course dinner eaten while blindfolded, followed by conversations about your experience. The event is expected to take around two hours. Thank you to Old Sugar Distillery and Blue Plate Catering for participating in this event to support the Council’s work. Dining in the Dark is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. 

A wordcloud with the words: Savor Dine Touch Smell Savory Sweet Bite Eat Feel Smooth Wine Salty Sip Crunchy Hot Cold Flavor

Register to Attend a Dining in the Dark

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Payment is required in advance and nonrefundable. Reservations are transferable.

Use #DiningInTheDark to tag your favorite photos when you attend.

“I loved the sharing of ideas, experiences and perspectives during the discussion. It was really enlightening to realize how much I depend on my sense of sight and how much more I noticed and enjoyed while using taste, smell and touch. I’m eager to experience Dining in the Dark again.”

Patricia Headland,
a Dining in the Dark participant

Interested in hosting Dining in the Dark?

A Dining in the Dark event is a great way to give back to the Council while offering a unique experience for regular and new customers.
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Photos from past Dining in the Dark Events