Charlotte Bateman

Dans Le Noir is a French restaurant near Farringdon station. Their original venue opened in Paris in 2004, and two years later, the London branch landed in Clerkenwell. As the name suggests, it’s no ordinary restaurant: diners must eat their meal in total darkness. And as bizarre as it sounds, it’s clear the concept has stuck: two decades later, they also have locations in Barcelona, New York, St Petersburg, New Zealand and Nairobi. But the darkness isn’t the only thing that’s special about Dans Le Noir. They also employ blind and partially sighted waiters to guide the disorientated diners through the experience. As a blind person, I have often struggled to find work, with retail and hospitality jobs being particularly challenging. I wouldn’t be able to read the product labels or operate a till, while restaurants are crowded, there may be trip hazards and it would be a danger to both myself and diners if I were to use my cane while juggling plates and clearing tables. But Dans Le Noir is equipped to solve these kinds of issues and I was offered a trial shift as a ‘guide’ in the London branch. The role entailed guiding customers to their tables, serving food and helping guests to the bathroom (you’ll be pleased to hear the toilets are lit).  On the big day, I arrived at the restaurant and was greeted by the sighted manager, who explained a bit more about the company’s ethos. ‘Fifty percent of our workforce is disabled,’ she said. ‘At our London restaurant we currently have ni