Are you good at problem solving? Teamwork? Still wishing you were part of an adventure like The Goonies or Indian Jones? Now you have the chance to show off your detective skills at Escape Room LA! Located in DTLA, Escape Room LA has been creating real-life adventures and mysteries with their live-action puzzle rooms, The Detective, The Cavern, and The Theatre since launching in 2014. I was lucky enough to try their newest adventure, The Alchemist, where my group traveled back to a time of medieval sorcery where potions, spells and hexes must be assembled in order for us to escape.
My friend and I joined a group (about ten of us) in this adventure and clue-solving mystery where we uncovered and solved clues and puzzles. We were lead into a medieval Alchemist’s library and trapped inside. The only way out is to find our way to a secret lab and solve puzzles to combine four elements to complete the mythical philosopher’s stone. Sadly, we were about ten minutes from solving the mystery before time ran out, but it was fun to challenge yourself in a way you probably haven’t done since the SATs.
Other rooms include:
The Detective
The Detective goes back to the 1940’s with a detective agency. As you enter the dimly lit room, you are greeted by various film noire-styled artifacts that at first glance have no rhyme or reason. Racing against the clock, you must figure out the answers and complete the tasks in order to solve clues, all of which lead to finding the exit key.
The Cavern
The Cavern is like you’re in an Indiana Jones adventure where ancient artifacts become secondary to surviving the journey. Ten explorers search for a lost civilization’s ancient treasure located hundreds of feet below the DTLA streets. After you enter the mysterious cavern, things suddenly take an unexpected turn as the mission for treasure turns into one of survival.
The Theatre
Backstage in a haunted theatre and you must uncover and utilize a series of unusual props to preform a spell that will release you and the ghost dwelling within. Using the theatre setting, you will solve a variety of challenging puzzles using lights, ropes, sounds and props.
Games are held on Tuesday-Friday evenings (every 30 minutes from 6-9:30 pm) and Saturday & Sunday afternoons and evenings (every 30 minutes from 11:30 am-9:30 pm). Up to 12 people at a time have one hour to solve the game and escape from the room (lil hint…it’s more fun if you go with a big group where you all know each other).
$30: Tuesday – Friday, $35: Saturday/Sunday; 120 E. 8th St, Los Angeles; book here or call 213.689.3229.
