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Here’s a restaurant theme you didn’t see coming: darkness.

The concept of purposefully eating in complete pitch-black dark originated with Jorge Spielmann, a blind clergyman from Zurich. Dinner guests at the Spielmann house would wear blindfolds to show of solidarity with their host and to better understand his world. These guests found their dark dinning experiences fascinating. They found also that they enjoyed their food more—when you free yourself of having to see your sense of taste and smell becomes heightened. And that gave Spielmann the idea to open a dark restaurant, which he did in 1999.

Today you can stumble into dozens restaurants around the world where that question made famous in an American commercial in the 80s — Where’s the beef? — takes on a whole new meaning. Most dark restaurants employ blind waiters, offer a single set menu, and ban anything that could give off light (like cigarettes, cell phones and cameras) from the dinning area. All of them also have normally lit bathrooms though you’ll need to ask your waiter for help in finding it.

Here’s our illuminating look at some of the world’s dark restaurants:

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Many of the historical myths and stories of Ireland involve fighting with England, Wales and Scotland. So it is with the legend of the Giant’s Causeway, which folklore says was built by the giant Finn McCool so that he could walk from Northern Ireland to Scotland to do battle with his nemesis. Supposedly, the battle didn’t go so well for Finn McCool; he retreated, tearing up the causeway as he went, except for the portion that exists today.

Scientists have a more geological explanation for the Giant’s Causeway. Their story starts with the lava flows of Paleogene period—the same flows responsible for the cliff faces for which the Irish coast is famous. Usually lava cools from the top down, but in the area around the Giant’s Causeway, the lava cooled from the bottom up, resulting in a cracking pattern that looks like it was man-made. (Though such cooling is rare, evidence of the phenomena can also be found in a few other places, including spots along the California coast).

At Spot Cool Stuff we prefer the first explanation of the Giant’s Causeway, mostly because it involves a character named Finn McCool. How great is that? Regardless of its origin, the Giant’s Causeway is undeniably beautiful. It is amazing that nature could produce such odd hexagonal rock patterns to look so man-made. Best of all, the Causeway sits along a wonderful hiking trail that hugs the northern coast of Northern Ireland and that is dotted with another natural sites, coastal views and, of course, pubs.

Check out the photos, below.

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London’s self-described “Academy of Sex & Relationships” is like an erotic theme park (without the rides). Find the erogenous zones on an interactive sculpture or try out the spank-o-meter — this place full of exhibits that are interactive and, um, hands on. Visitors can also talk with a sex therapist and learn how to play erotic food games, improve your kissing ability and enhance their flirtation skills. All of which makes Amora the most practical museum we’ve been to . . . or heard of . . . or can imagine.

Visiting tip: Getting into the Amora exhibits can be difficult — they are often closed for updates and tickets must be purchased well in advance. (See their website for the latest). For a touch of the Amora experience check out their lounge, which specializes in aphrodisiac cocktails.

LEARN MORE |  READ | FLY THERE

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