How Escape Rooms Work (and What to Expect)
Never done one before? Here is exactly how an escape room works, from booking to the final photo, so you know what you are walking into. It is simpler, safer and more fun than most people expect.
An escape room is a live, themed game where a small group (usually 2 to 6 players) has 60 minutes to solve a chain of puzzles and complete a mission. A game master briefs you first, the room is yours alone (you are never grouped with strangers), and you can ask for hints any time. You are never actually locked in, the door opens from the inside for safety. At Rush, rooms run from $70 per player across four Melbourne venues.
What an escape room is
You and your group are placed inside a room built around a story, and you have 60 minutes to solve a chain of puzzles, uncover clues and complete a mission, whether that is defusing a bomb, breaking a curse or surviving a haunting. It is the closest thing there is to stepping inside a film, and every Rush room is a different world.
How a booking works
You pick a venue, a room and a time, and book online. Every Rush booking is private, it is your group only, never mixed in with strangers. Rooms suit 2 to 6 players, and bigger groups split across rooms at one venue and compete.
What happens on the day
Arrive about 15 minutes before your session. A game master greets you, runs a short briefing, the story, the rules, how to ask for hints and how any unusual locks work, and then starts the clock. You play the 60 minutes, calling for a hint whenever you are stuck, and finish with a team photo. Plan for about 90 minutes on site all up.
How long it takes
The game is 60 minutes. With the briefing and the photo, allow about 90 minutes at the venue.
How much it costs
From $70 per player. Crew Night runs groups of 4 to 6 for $250 to $300 (Monday to Friday from 4pm), and Cheap Tuesday starts from $45 per player. Corporate daytime bookings are priced by the room. See prices and deals.
Are escape rooms scary?
Only some of them. Most Rush rooms are not scary at all, they are adventures, heists and mysteries. A handful are built to frighten, using darkness, sound and set design. There are no live actors in any Rush room, and nothing ever touches you. See our horror and scary rooms and their scare ratings.
Can kids play?
Yes. Many rooms are all-ages, and players under 16 play with a participating adult. See escape rooms for kids and families.
Do you actually get locked in?
No. Being locked in is part of the story, not reality, the door opens from the inside and you can leave at any time. Escape rooms are built to be safe.
What to bring
Nothing, really. Leave bags and phones in the lockers provided. A wristwatch can help you track the time, and bring reading glasses if you need them.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does an escape room take?
- The game itself is 60 minutes. With the briefing and a photo at the end, allow about 90 minutes on site.
- How much is an escape room in Melbourne?
- From $70 per player at Rush, with Crew Night for groups of 4 to 6 ($250 to $300) and Cheap Tuesday from $45 per player. See prices and deals.
- What is the minimum age?
- Players under 16 are welcome with a participating adult. Many rooms suit all ages; our scariest are recommended 16+.
- Do you actually get locked in?
- No. The door opens from the inside and you can leave at any time, being locked in is just part of the story.
- What if we don't escape in time?
- Many groups do not finish their first room, and it is still a great hour. Your game master shows you how it ended.
- How many people can play?
- Rooms suit 2 to 6 players. Bigger groups split across rooms and compete, see escape rooms for large groups.