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This gothic-themed restaurant in Pennsylvania turns dinner into an experience

This gothic-themed restaurant in Pennsylvania turns dinner into an experience

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Step inside Noir, and leave the ordinary behind. This gothic-themed restaurant in Scranton turns a simple dinner into a theatrical event, where shadows, flickering lights, and dark décor set the stage for flavor and fun.

Every dish tells a story. Flatbreads arrive with perfectly crisp edges and playful toppings, shareables come with dramatic flair, and cocktails gleam with herbal, botanical brightness.

The menu invites curiosity and a little daring—expect surprises like skull-shaped bites and seasonal specials that push the kitchen’s imagination.

Dining here is a performance. Each plate, each sip, each playful touch is designed to spark conversation and delight the senses.

Even skeptics find themselves lingering, tasting, and laughing at the clever presentation.

Whether you’re on a date, celebrating with friends, or chasing a unique culinary adventure, Noir makes every visit feel like stepping into another world—one that’s dark, delicious, and impossible to forget.

Atmosphere and Goth-Chic Design

Atmosphere and Goth-Chic Design
© Noir Dark Spirits

Step into Noir Dark Spirits and the room immediately narrows into a stylish shadowbox of candlelit black, velvet textures, and glints of chrome. Your eyes will keep wandering, from skull motifs to vintage curiosities peeking behind glass and dim corners.

The soundtrack hums with dark wave and industrial favorites, giving everything a pulse without stealing the conversation.

The design walks a clever line: spooky but inviting, dramatic yet comfortable enough to settle in for a multi-course night. It is photogenic, but it is not a gimmick.

Every detail feels intentional, like a set piece made for slow discovery.

You will notice how the lighting frames the experience. There is just enough glow to read a menu and catch that smirk on your date’s face.

It is romantic, but also mischievous.

Sit at the bar if you want to watch smoke, sparks, and syrups become performance. Slip into a banquette if you prefer whispered plans and a prolonged meal.

Either way, this is a place to linger. It is an atmosphere that makes ordinary dinner feel deliciously conspiratorial.

Reservations, Hours, and What to Expect

Reservations, Hours, and What to Expect
© Noir Dark Spirits

Noir runs on anticipation, so book ahead. The bar is closed most weekdays and opens Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 PM, with Sunday through Thursday typically dark.

That narrow window makes each night feel like an event, and seats fill quickly, especially for date nights and celebrations.

Arrive a touch early to sink into the vibe and scan the menu without rushing. You will want time for at least two rounds of cocktails or mocktails, plus a shareable or two.

The staff keeps things flowing, but this is not a sprint.

If you are driving in, the downtown Scranton location on Wyoming Avenue is easy to find. Restrooms are in the building hallway, not inside the dining room, so plan accordingly.

Expect a soundtrack with some volume, intimate lighting, and immersive decor.

Pricing hits the $$ mark, fair for the showmanship and portions. Gratuity may be added to ensure staff is treated right, which many appreciate.

Come curious, leave delighted. You are here for a night that feels cinematic, not hurried.

It is all part of the ritual.

Signature Cocktails and Macabre Presentations

Signature Cocktails and Macabre Presentations
© Noir Dark Spirits

Here, drinks are theater. Think smoking goblets, jewel-toned elixirs, and clever vessels that nod to apothecaries and classic horror.

One showstopper arrives in an IV bag, a tongue-in-cheek wink that still tastes balanced and polished.

Do not let the spectacle fool you: these cocktails are built by pros. Acids are clean, sweetness is restrained, and spirits shine.

You can go bold with herbal bitterness or keep it playful with dessert notes that never tip cloying.

If you are skipping alcohol, mocktails receive the same attention. That inclusivity keeps the whole table involved, from designated drivers to sober-curious friends.

Expect seasonal rotations and limited-run specials that keep regulars chasing favorites.

Presentation is big at Noir, but you will remember the flavors. Ask your server to pair a drink with your entrée or dessert.

Consider starting with something bright and finishing with a brooding sipper. You will walk away with photos, sure, but more importantly, you will remember the craftsmanship.

Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Options, and Butter Beer

Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Options, and Butter Beer
© Noir Dark Spirits

You do not need alcohol to feel included here. Noir treats zero-proof drinks like a creative playground, with layers of spice, citrus, and botanicals that stand on their own.

Expect options that are more complex than soda and syrup, with beautiful glassware and smoke effects intact.

Butter beer, a fan favorite, is available in non-alcoholic form. It is creamy, playful, and textured with a nostalgic sweetness that still feels grown-up.

If you love whimsical experiences, this one is a grin in a glass.

Ask for seasonal mocktails mirroring the main cocktail list. The team can tweak sweetness, add bitterness, or dial back ice to match your taste.

That flexibility means your palate leads the experience, not the other way around.

Whether you are on a health kick, driving, or just prefer to savor flavors without the buzz, you will not feel like an afterthought. Plan a table-wide toast with zero-proof rounds at the start.

It sets the tone for the night and ensures everyone has a glass worth raising.

Mac and Cheese in a Skull Bowl

Mac and Cheese in a Skull Bowl
© Noir Dark Spirits

This is the dish you have probably seen on social feeds: bubbling mac and cheese served in a skull bowl, molten and golden with a satisfyingly cheesy pull. It is dramatic but comfort-first, the kind of thing that makes you laugh and then go quiet for a second bite.

Portion sizes are generous, perfect for sharing.

Texture matters. The pasta stays al dente enough to stand up to the sauce, which leans rich without turning greasy.

Expect a browned top, some sharpness from a blend of cheeses, and the optional heat or crunchy add-ons that switch up each season.

Presentation counts for extra delight. The skull is Instagram bait, sure, but also a tactile part of Noir’s world-building.

Kids at heart and mac-and-cheese purists meet happily in the middle here.

Order it as a table anchor while you decide on mains. Pair with a citrusy cocktail to cut the richness, or choose a malty root beer if you are going alcohol-free.

Either way, it is a must-try that delivers exactly what your inner goth comfort-food lover wants.

Flatbreads, Gator Specials, and Shareables

Flatbreads, Gator Specials, and Shareables
© Noir Dark Spirits

Flatbreads at Noir are a sleeper hit. Crisp edges, creative toppings, and just enough char make them an easy share for the table or a light main for one.

Classics rotate with seasonal riffs, and occasional specials like gator show the kitchen’s playful streak.

You will find satisfying contrasts: sweet against salty, heat meeting cream, herbs brightening decadence. The dough is thin enough to let toppings shine but sturdy enough to hold shape.

Pair with a bright, botanical cocktail or a chilled beer.

Shareables lean into presentation. Expect injections of marinara, skull-shaped nibbles, and theatrical plating that sparks conversation without overwhelming flavor.

Even skeptics end up nibbling more than planned.

If you are building a grazing-style dinner, combine a flatbread, a shareable, and one indulgent side. That mix gives you textures and temperature play across the table.

It is the ideal way to explore Noir’s menu without committing to one heavy main.

Burgers and The Poultrygeist Sandwich

Burgers and The Poultrygeist Sandwich
© Noir Dark Spirits

When you want a proper bite, burgers here are hearty and cleverly presented. Some arrive nested in miniature church boxes, a delightful nod to the theme without overshadowing what matters: juicy patties, well-seasoned, with balanced toppings.

The Mac Daddy gets love for its indulgent layers.

Poultrygeist, the chicken sandwich that recurs on many favorites lists, is a crunch-and-juice situation. Expect a crisp exterior that cracks audibly, then yields to flavorful meat.

Heat levels can often be adjusted, so speak up if you want a scorch or a mellow glow.

Buns are sturdy, sauces are dialed, and sides keep pace. You will leave satisfied without feeling overwhelmed.

It is comfort food done with intention rather than excess.

Pair burgers with a malt-forward drink, or let a citrusy cocktail cut through richness. If you are splitting, add a salad or skillet veg to keep things balanced.

Either way, this section of the menu proves Noir is not just a bar with snacks. It is a kitchen that knows how to deliver craveable mains.

Steaks, Cooking Precision, and Date-Night Mains

Steaks, Cooking Precision, and Date-Night Mains
© Noir Dark Spirits

Steaks at Noir show real care. Temperature hits the mark, sear holds flavor, and seasoning respects the cut.

You will hear guests praise tenderness and that satisfying crust, proof that the kitchen is watching the clock and the flame.

Date-night mains lean indulgent but not overworked. Think reductions with backbone, sides that complement rather than distract, and plating that nods to the theme.

If you are celebrating, start with a luxe appetizer and save room for dessert drinks.

Relax and chew thoughtfully, especially if you go for a thicker cut. Staff attention is excellent if you need anything adjusted, and courses arrive with comfortable pacing.

The room invites lingering, so build in time for conversation between bites.

Ask your server for pairing suggestions from the cocktail list, or consider a spirit-forward sipper to carry you through the steak. You will walk away feeling like the lead in your own stylish noir scene, satisfied and a little smitten.

Presentation: Skulls, Syringes, and Smoke

Presentation: Skulls, Syringes, and Smoke
© Noir Dark Spirits

Noir’s presentation does not just look cool. It changes the tempo of your meal, adding beats of surprise and laughter that become memories.

Skulls cradle sides, syringes deliver sauce, and glassware fogs dramatically as a smoky ribbon spills over the rim.

Importantly, the pageantry serves the flavors. Injections are not a gimmick when they add fresh acidity exactly where you want it.

Smoke can deepen aromatics rather than mask them.

Expect small reveals. Lift a lid to release aroma, crack a garnish to add texture, and pass a skull bowl around the table like a secret.

It turns dinner into a cooperative game where everyone participates.

Bring a phone for photos, but do not spend the whole night behind it. The living moment tastes better than any filter.

Besides, low light can be tricky, and the best shots often come from simply leaning into the candle glow.

Service, Hospitality, and Standout Staff

Service, Hospitality, and Standout Staff
© Noir Dark Spirits

Hospitality at Noir feels personal. Hosts greet warmly, servers read the table well, and bartenders narrate cocktails like charming conspirators.

Names come up in reviews for a reason: you feel looked after, not managed.

Questions about ingredients, mocktails, or spice levels are answered with care. If you need pace adjustments, just ask.

Team members communicate smoothly between bar and kitchen, keeping courses aligned.

There is a playful confidence here that matches the décor. It is fun without sliding into camp, and that balance takes real skill.

When a place is this theatrical, service has to be the steady heartbeat, and it is.

Tip generously and consider that automatic gratuity as a floor, not a ceiling, when service goes above and beyond. If someone makes your night, say so by name on the way out.

It encourages the culture that makes Noir special.

Dietary Accommodations and Vegan-Friendly Choices

Dietary Accommodations and Vegan-Friendly Choices
© Noir Dark Spirits

Noir’s kitchen takes dietary needs seriously, and that makes the experience more inclusive for your whole crew. Vegan and vegetarian options appear across categories, not in a lonely corner.

Staff double-checks allergies and offers honest guidance on swaps and cross-contact.

Gluten-conscious guests find thoughtfully labeled picks, and dairy-free diners are not left with afterthoughts. Flavor-first dishes keep the theme intact, so you still get that macabre flourish even when modifying.

Mocktails and NA wines round it out.

When booking, note your needs in the reservation. On arrival, confirm with your server so the kitchen can stage your courses appropriately.

The attention is reassuring, especially for serious allergies.

Customize within reason: dressing on the side, hold the cheese, sub a base, adjust heat. You will feel invited to participate, not punished for ordering differently.

In a room full of dark romance, that kind of care shines bright.

Pricing, Portions, and Value

Pricing, Portions, and Value
© Noir Dark Spirits

Noir sits comfortably in the mid-range for a destination spot. Cocktails carry the craft premium, but the experience earns it.

Entrees feel fairly priced considering portion size, presentation, and the careful pacing of the meal.

Portions lean generous without slipping into novelty territory. Shareables actually share, and mains satisfy.

If you are budget-conscious, build a meal from small plates and a mocktail for a smart, tasty night out.

Reservations help you avoid waits, and it is worth planning ahead for weekends. Add in the value of great service and the memory factor, and you will understand why people drive hours.

This is not just food and drink, it is a curated evening.

Tip: split a decadent side, then save room for a final cocktail as dessert. You will leave full but not heavy, with just enough mystery lingering to justify your next visit.

Value here is measured in bites and moments.

Practical Tips: Lighting, Music, and Seating

Practical Tips: Lighting, Music, and Seating
© Noir Dark Spirits

The mood is intentionally dim, so if you prefer brighter light, request seats near the bar or an aisle. A small phone flashlight helps with menus without disrupting the vibe.

Music leans energetic at times, so conversation is best at two-tops or booths if you want privacy.

Chairs are chic but firm, and some guests find them less comfortable for long stays. If you are sensitive, ask for a cushioned banquette.

It is a subtle shift that can improve a two-hour experience.

Parking in downtown Scranton is manageable, but give yourself a few extra minutes. Restrooms are in the hallway outside the restaurant, so plan breaks between courses.

The space is intimate, which helps keep the energy focused.

Most importantly, relax into the theater. Order something unexpected, try a mocktail round, and keep your camera handy.

You are here to be surprised, not just fed, and a little planning unlocks the best version of the night.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

How to Make the Most of Your Visit
© Noir Dark Spirits

Book ahead, arrive a touch early, and let the pacing slow you down. Start with a playful cocktail or mocktail to set the mood, then order a shareable like the skull mac to anchor the table.

You will find conversation lifts with every reveal.

Pick one dramatic main and one lighter option to share, so you taste across textures. Ask for pairing suggestions, and listen to the staff’s favorites of the current menu.

They see what flies out of the kitchen and what surprises regulars.

Take photos, but pick your moments and enjoy the candlelight. If you celebrate, tell the host when booking so they can guide your seating.

Consider a final sipper instead of dessert if you prefer a slow landing.

When the check arrives, savor the last few notes of the soundtrack. Step back onto Wyoming Avenue feeling like you starred in a stylish little story.

That is Noir’s magic: dinner as experience, memorable long after the smoke clears.