The title of this episode is in reference to the 2004 British horror parody series Garth Marenghi's Darkplace.
In the bar, Mariner orders two Tequila shots and a "Dagger of the Mind" on the rocks; the latter being the title of Season 1, Episode 9 of "Star Trek TOS."
The video display in Lt. Boimler's hotel room is in the shape of the CBS logo.
In previous "Star Trek" shows, it's been stated that females are not clothed in Ferengi culture. But most of the female Ferengi are shown clothed (one or two in the restaurant are discreetly nude). This is probably due to Rom becoming Grand Nagus and adopting the progressive practice of his mother, who wore clothes.
D'Vana's comment, "Oh look! The waiter's wearing one of those old velour uniforms that used to catch fire all the time!" is a reference to the uniforms worn by the actors in Star Trek's original two pilots, and the accident that would eventually confine Pike to a wheelchair. The comment could also be a playful nod to the fact that the actors in Strange New Worlds, which takes place in the same time period as those original pilots, do not wear this material.