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Edinburgh’s 9 Escape Rooms: Can you break free or will the castle keep you?
Remember playing hide and seek as a kid and finding that one spot that was so good, everyone else gave up and went home? Well, Edinburgh’s escape rooms offer more than that.
Not just any old lock-me-in-kind, but the best ones, “I swear we were so close”-inducing escape rooms. They’ll test your friendships (because let’s be honest, there’s always one person who just has to prove they’re the smartest), and maybe even your patience.
Will you emerge as the triumphant decoder of secrets, or will the castle’s shadow loom over your failed attempts to break free? Either way, you’re guaranteed a whale of a time here, so read on!
Escape Hunt Edinburgh
Website: https://escapehunt.com/uk/edinburgh/
Address: Unit 3 & 4, Omni Centre
Contact details: +44 131 225 5522
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Cost: £-££
Escape Hunt has a vibe that’s pretty hard to match. They’ve got a bunch of escape rooms with themes that’ll transport you from the lost world of Atlantis to the world of Alice in Wonderland (in this case, it’s a puzzleland).
It’s like hopping through portals to different worlds without ever leaving Edinburgh. And don’t worry about breaking a sweat over the puzzles; they’ve got rooms that cater to all sorts of brainiacs, from novices to escape room veterans.
Their in-house alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks are also worth checking out, which you can enjoy at their lounge or inside the escape rooms.
Pro tip: Remember to keep an eye on their social media pages. They often throw out deals, especially off-peak times or last-minute bookings, which is perfect for snagging a fun escape at a fraction of the price.
Escape Edinburgh
Website: https://www.escape.game/escape-edinburgh
Address: 26-28 Morrison St.
Contact details: +44 7557 362664
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: £-££
You haven’t been to an escape room until you’ve visited Escape Edinburgh on Morrison Street. This spot feels like someone took the concept of puzzles and turned it into an extreme sport.
The themes here are off the charts, from investigating a mysterious disappearance to a Sherlock-themed escape room. They’ve designed these rooms to cater to both newcomers and seasoned pros.
And for those ready to amp up the excitement, you can also check out and try their axe throwing. This exhilarating game adds the perfect edge to your visit, challenging your precision and focus in a whole new way.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on their fantastic student offers and Youngscot discounts, making it an ideal choice for families seeking some thrilling team-building experiences.
Locked in Edinburgh
Website: http://www.lockedinedinburgh.com/
Address: 1 Summerhall Pl, Newington
Contact details: +44 7468 493561
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Thursday – 2 PM to 10 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Cost: £-££
Located in the cool and quirky Summerhall, Locked in Edinburgh gives off major vibes with its unique setting. Each room’s got a backstory that feels like it’s straight out of a history book, but with a thrilling twist.
Whether you’re escaping from a scientist’s lab or uncovering secrets in a distillery, it feels like you’re part of the city’s lore.
Moreover, Locked in Edinburgh prides itself on being inclusive and accessible to everyone. They are fully committed to accommodating guests with physical disabilities, offering to make thoughtful adjustments to their rooms.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to aim for their gift vouchers, which are a surefire hit with friends and family who love a brain-teasing challenge! And for the pet lovers out there, it’s good news for you since this joint is dog-friendly.
Escape Reality Edinburgh
Website: http://www.escapereality.com/edinburgh
Address: One Edinburgh Quay, 1 Fountainbridge
Contact details: +44 131 629 3040
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Cost: £-££
If you’re up for challenging your wit, you absolutely have to swing by Escape Reality. They’ve got this variety of rooms that are all about immersing yourself straight into the storyline.
The game themes span from solving a murder mystery to breaking out of prison and the horrifying asylum, and they’ve lined them up with difficulties that’ll have both newbies and veterans scratching their heads. The puzzles here are top-tier.
Though they don’t serve food and drinks on the premises, Fountainbridge is bustling with spots to grab a bite or a pint, making it easy to debrief with your team post-escape.
Pro tip: They run promotions quite frequently, especially for larger groups. Booking in advance or during the weekdays can sometimes snag you a sweet deal, so definitely scope out their website or social media before you lock in a date.
Can You Escape?
Website: https://www.canyouescape.co.uk/edinburgh?gad_source=1
Address: 5 Holyrood Rd.
Contact details: +44 131 629 2907
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 11 PM
Cost: £-££
Can You Escape? is so much fun, it should probably come with a warning label. They’re all about those high-energy, interactive experiences where you and your team need to pull together to beat the clock.
The rooms here are themed to perfection, from saving a king’s land to escaping from a space station that was struck by a meteor. These adventures are perfect for families and friends, and even corporate teams out for a bit of team building.
For the post-escape festivities, though, you’d need to step out as they don’t serve up food and drink, but hey, you’re in Edinburgh. There’s no shortage of awesome places nearby to toast your triumph or plot your next escape.
Pro tip: Make sure you sign up for their mailing list. Not only will you be the first to hear about their latest challenges and exclusive promotions, but you’ll also snag a cool 10% off your bookings.
Escape The Past
Website: https://www.escapethepast.co.uk/
Address: Basement 1, 25 Nicolson Square
Contact details: https://www.escapethepast.co.uk/contact
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: £-££
Escape The Past down in the basement of Nicolson Square is like stepping back in time—literally. Before anything else, they’re more about the experience than the amenities, so for food and drinks, you’ll need to venture above ground.
Going back to the game, they’ve gone all out in creating historical escapades that feel like you’re part of Edinburgh’s medical past. And what’s great is that it’s set in Edinburgh’s old surgical district, which kind of gives a real goosebumps, though.
Pro tip: Make sure to check their site for any current offers, especially if you’re planning to bring a bigger crew along.
Department Of Magic
Website: http://departmentofmagic.com/
Address: 9 Blair St.
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Cost: £-££
Now, if you’re into a bit of that wizarding world charm, you’ve gotta make a beeline for the Department of Magic. They’ve crafted their rooms around a magical theme so immersive, that you’d half expect to bump into a wizard around the corner.
After you’ve honed your puzzle-solving skills, you can unwind and indulge in the enchanting atmosphere of the Magic Potions Tavern. It’s a cocktail-making session, so basically, you can concoct here your own cocktail or potion, as they call it.
For a different kind of magical experience, the Enchanting Afternoon Tea offers a delightful twist on a tradition, complete with a selection of charming teas and bewitching treats.
Pro tip: Remember to aim for their gift vouchers, which serve as your golden ticket to gifting an extraordinary experience.
Whether it’s the thrill of an escape room, the delight of concocting potions, or the charm of afternoon tea, these vouchers offer a versatile choice for any occasion.
Case Closed
Website: http://www.caseclosededinburgh.co.uk/
Address: 1 Carpet Ln, Leith
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday, Thursday and Friday – 1 PM to 11:30 PM
- Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday – 10:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Cost: £-££
If you’re a fan of detective stories or true crime, you’re going to want to check out Case Closed in Leith. They’ve got all sorts, from chilling crime scenes to whacky sci-fi adventures.
Their rooms are of top-notch quality, the details are spot on, and the puzzles? They’ve got a good mix, so both greenhorns and old-timers will find themselves in a proper brain teaser of a time.
What’s more, they have an on-site board game cafe, the Secret Solitaire Games, where the fun continues long after the escape room challenge ends. Here, you can grab a coffee, settle in with friends or family, and dive into an array of exciting board games.
Pro tip: Make sure you keep a lookout for off-peak times or weekdays, as they occasionally offer special rates. Plus, following them on social media might give you a heads-up on last-minute deals or their themed events.
Game Over Escape Room
Website: http://www.escapegameover.co.uk/
Address: 2 Huly Hill Rd, Newbridge
Contact details: +44 131 333 0195
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 10:30 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: £-££
Game Over Escape Room takes the concept of escape rooms and dials it up to eleven with its range of themes. If ever you fancied solving riddles, finding hidden mysteries or unveiling some forgotten stories, they’ve got you covered.
Their rooms take inspiration from popular video games and movies, making each escape a unique blend of nostalgia and adrenaline-pumping challenges.
The difficulty level varies meaning it’s never too intimidating for beginners, but it still offers plenty of brain teasers for the pros.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your next company team-building or celebratory event, like a birthday, at the Game Over Escape Room.
Their immersive escape rooms provide the perfect backdrop, especially since they’re into fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and communication in an interactive environment.
