Once blindfolded let your senses take over and you’ll enjoy the smells, the sounds, the tastes and the textures in a way you never thought possible. When the sense of touch, hearing, taste and smell are heightened, food, drinks and dinner conversation become a brand new adventure!
Savor the secret five-course meal at the famous Hampshire House, a turn-of-the-century mansion on historic Beacon Hill where generations of Bostonians and their guests have wined, dined, and danced the night away.
The concept of purposefully eating in complete pitch-black dark originated with Jorge Spielmann, a blind clergyman from Zurich. When guests ate dinner at the Spielmann house some would wear blindfolds during their meal to show solidarity with their host and to better understand his world. What Spielmann’s sighted guests found was that the blindfolds heightened their sense of taste and smell and made their dining experience more enjoyable.
So please join us this Valentine’s Day at the Hampshire House in Boston as we offer a special Dining in the Dark Boston event to celebrate the romantic occasion.
The Hampshire House is a turn-of-the-century mansion on historic Beacon Hill, where generations of Bostonians and their guests have wined, dined, and danced the night away.
Designed and built in 1910 by the society architect, Ogden Codman, for fellow Brahmins Bayard and Ruth Thayer, the five story Georgian revival townhouse was lavished with Italian marble, carved oak paneling, crystal chandeliers and tall Palladian windows. Those windows not only looked out onto the Victorian elegance of the Boston Public Garden, but they also looked into the social world of Boston’s elite, as 84 Beacon Street became one of the most fashionable salons in the city. Gentlemen in top hats and tails and ladies in silk and satin ascended the grand staircase to the heart of the house for gala evenings in the Ballroom and Library.
The Hampshire House acquired its name during World War II when the Thayer family sold the building. It was then leased as a small private luxury hotel to the owners of the Lincolnshire Hotel on Charles Street. They dubbed the mansion the Hampshire House (Lincolnshire and Hampshire were both English counties).
Thomas A. Kershaw has been the owner of the Hampshire House since 1969. Since then, the Hampshire House has been the ideal choice for special occasions. Its interior decor gives an aura of those grand days when the Thayer’s entertained in their magnificent mansion on Beacon Hill. Now you, too, can be a part of history at the Hampshire House.
Need an idea for a place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary with a group of friends? Or maybe a bachelorette party for your girlfriends? What about an office party? Head First Events is the perfect place for social groups! You and all of your friends and coworkers will enjoy lots of laughs and a great meal for an affordable price. Have a group larger than 90 people? We can take our shows to the location of your choice, including a Boston Harbor Cruise! All group rates are processed over the phone. Please note that group rates are NOT available for our Mansion Mysteries or the Haunted Dinner Theater. Call us today at 617-426-1999 to book your group.
Your team did a fantastic job..., all of the customers, as well as all of the hoteliers, were happy and the timing was dead on which was important. It was very well received and was fun, funny and perfectly engaging. Your information was distributed and well received. I know of one meeting planner who is already pitching you to her clients and heard others talking about how they would like to in the future. Thanks very much for working with us. I will look forward to connecting with you again soon!
I just wanted to thank you for your help with Clue Live! Everyone had a great time. The actors were great and Christian was absolutely amazing!
The event was a huge success and our client was happy so I am very happy. Shannon was absolutely great to work with!
I wanted to reach out to you and let you know what an AWESOME time all of us had at today’s performance of MobFellas! The cast was so personable and kept us engaged and included throughout the show! I am only hearing great feedback from all those that attended. So once again thank you again for helping with getting this pulled together on such short notice!!!
We were thrilled with our CharActors! The Mad Hatter was truly mad; I heard him throughout our grounds and building making the day for unsuspecting children, parents and our staff! Our staff is still talking about him! Alice was terrific and was a great surprise to the kids as they came around the corner to see her. Our thanks to all of you; we had a very successful afternoon!
I went there with a group of 6 friends this past Saturday, and by the end of it I had a pounding headache, a sore throat, and throbbing cheeks from laughing so damn hard for so damn long. I’m super impressed, and am SO EXCITED to see your other shows too. Well done guys!
They had a blast and we will most likely do this again next year! Fabulous!!
To purchase tickets please call us at
617-253-5211