It’s a Thursday and you’re looking for a night away from working late or catching up on laundry. You get dressed up, carpool with friends, and get to a restaurant. You walk in, check with the host, and then â€Ĥ put on a blindfold? 

That is exactly what a night looks like at the Dining in The Dark dinner series, which comes to Pittsburgh on Sept. 29 and Oct. 20. This 21+ experience includes a 90-minute, two-course meal with a cocktail pairing. With every diner wearing a blindfold, the focus shifts to taste, smell, mouthfeel and sound. The blindfolds also discourage distractions — such as checking your phone — during the meal.  

It’s the second year of this dinner series for Pittsburgh — last year’s event was held at DiAnoia’s Eatery — but Hidden Media Network regularly hosts them and other dinner series around the world. This year’s Pitch Black event takes place at Revival On Lincoln in Bellevue.

Hidden Media chooses the venues based on whether they suit the event’s atmosphere and menu, which remains a secret until the end of the dinner. 

Video screenshot courtesy of Hidden Media Network.

“​​We picked this year’s venue as we felt it suited our event really well,” says Shelley Allen with Hidden Media Network. 

While the Hidden Media organizers are in charge of selling tickets — each event seats 85 — the team at Revival On Lincoln, led by chef John King, handles the menu. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but any dietary restrictions and requirements should be requested beforehand. 

King hopes to have both regulars and first-timers in attendance for the four dinners.

“This is a truly unique dining experience which really allows you to immerse yourself into conversation with no distractions, and the flavor of foods without other senses swaying your judgment,” says Allen. “It’s quite amazing what your taste buds can do without the aid of your eyes.”

Purchase the $85 tickets online ahead of time. The event is BYOB (bring your own blindfold), although you can purchase your blindfold separately for $20. Drinks are also available to order during dinner service.

Would you be able to handle dining in the dark?

Jess Iacullo is a New Jersey native who has brought her love of food, writing and Jersey attitude to the 412. You may recognize her from her Instagram, Hungry Jess Big City, or have seen her billboard around the city. When she's not plugged into her phone, she can be found scouring vintage markets and record stores with her boyfriend or curled up on the couch watching "Modern Family."