I found out about this phenomenon in "Single New Yorkers Seek Soulmates in the Dark," a story posted by Reuters.

It's a review of "Dinner in the Dark," one of the many local parties and events promoted by Cosmo Party. It's basically a four-course gourmet meal served in complete darkness (guests are escorted to bathrooms by night-vision goggle-equipped waiters). Champagne and fine wine are included, but you supply the groping. Or at least one guy did, and bragged about it later.

Even though I'll do just about anything once, I can't think of a single reason why I would do something like this ... except for the sake of being a goof and writing a report for PK.com. In other words, there's a better chance of it happening than probably I even recognize.

Time Out New York also reviewed an event and reports, "One table engages in a risqué round of truth-or-dare; a few undeterred minglers hop — or rather, grope — their way from table to raucous table."

You can imagine what the upcoming Gay Dinner in the Dark is gonna look like when the lights come on. (Condom wrappers, anyone?) And now I see that my friend Murph is sponsoring a Dinner in the Dark on April's Fool's Day. ("Hey, we're going to a regular dinner with lights and everything, and no one's gonna grab your ass. April Fools!")

I feel like Crank Yankers' Elmer Higgins. What the hell is going on in this city?!? Is it so hard to say, "My, you're eyes are stunning?" "That's a pretty name." "May I squeeze your breasts?" Have we all been reduced to groping vampires? God knows what they must be doing in Hoboken.

Other New York Links

NYC Sales & Bargains (Updated Weekdays) — A great link for chicks, gays and cheap fucks.

America's Unsafest Cities — Money ranks the cities in which you are most likely to be a victim of a crime. Think you'll find New York on the list? Au contraire, mon frere. The Big Apple ranks No. 2 on the mag's list of America's Safest Cities.

Street Studio's NYC Portraits — I met a guy named Clay at Coyote Ugly on Thursday night who was taking so many pictures, he made me look like I was there just to drink. Anyway, his pictures of NYC characters are pretty cool.