Dialog im Dunkeln

About the museum

The "Dialog im Dunkeln" (Dialogue in the Dark) concept was developed by Hamburg journalist Andreas Heinecke in the late 1980s: visitors experience everyday situations in complete darkness, guided by blind or visually impaired people, who thus become the experts. The idea has been passed on as a social franchise to numerous countries.

In Hamburg, the Dialoghaus opened on April 1, 2000, in a former warehouse in the Speicherstadt on Alter Wandrahm. In addition to "Dialog im Dunkeln," other formats were created there, such as "Dialog im Stillen" (Dialogue in Silence) with deaf guides and "Dialog mit der Zeit" (Dialogue with Time) on the subject of aging. According to the venue, more than 1.8 million people have visited since it opened.

The venue is operated by the nonprofit Dialogue Impact gGmbH. A large share of its roughly 80 employees are blind, visually impaired, or deaf; the aim is to break down inhibitions and make inclusion something people can experience.

The classic tour takes small groups through four dark experience rooms – such as a park, street traffic, and unfamiliar spaces – and ends with a conversation in the Dark Bar. On weekends there is a longer version that includes a harbor boat tour in darkness.

Highlights

• Tour through four completely dark experience rooms
• Blind and visually impaired guides
• Conversation with the guide in the Dark Bar
• Weekend special with a harbor boat tour in the dark
• DonnersDark evening every 2nd and 4th Thursday

Permanent exhibitions

• Dialog im Dunkeln – Klassische Tour – One-hour tour through four lightless experience rooms with everyday scenes, accompanied by a blind guide.
• Dialog im Stillen – Sister exhibition in the same building, in which deaf guides teach nonverbal communication.
• TimeShift – Reise ins Morgen – Puzzle game in the dark in which teams work together to solve tasks centered on ideas for the future.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Dialogue Impact gGmbH

Director

Svenja Weber (Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Timed-entry tickets, online via the Dialoghaus ticket shop. Drinks in the Dark Bar are not included in the price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair-accessible; registration at least 3 days in advance required. The exhibition is designed entirely around hearing, touch, and smell.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 7+

Participation from age 7, children under 14 only when accompanied by adults. Babies are not admitted for safety reasons. The venue advises particular caution in the dark for groups with many children. Reduced children's and family tickets.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Lockers

Dark Bar at the end of the tour (drinks and snacks, bring small change). Free lockers; luminous items may not be taken into the exhibition. "Dinner in the Dark" is also available as a separate offering.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

Six rooms with almost 600 m² in the Speicherstadt warehouse (foyers for receptions of up to 120 or 100 people, meeting rooms 28–82 m²), with catering; can be combined with team building in the dark or in silence.

Plan your visit