LockQuest - Toronto's Newest Escape Game
Saturday, January 10, 2015
You have one hour.
He has all night.
Escape the Book Club Killer is one of the newest escape games to hit the Toronto scene. Locked inside a killer's apartment, the staged mystery slowly unravels as you and up to eleven additional players work together to solve cryptic clues and puzzles in an attempt to find the front door key. The only catch? You have but one hour to escape before the killer returns. Now, obviously he is a fictitious character and there isn't anything to be afraid of per se, just creepy clues left behind from the initial 'murder.' However, the game does take place in a real apartment and you are very much locked in. Read on to learn more about this LockQuest escape game (beware of some minor spoilers) or visit lockquest.com to purchase tickets.
In Escape the Book Club Killer, you will be locked in a real apartment which is located on 1204a Yonge St. in Toronto, just south of St. Clair Ave. There is no storefront at this location, just a single door with LockQuest logo on it leading to an upstairs reception area so it's easy to miss. There is plenty of street parking available nearby. Once in the reception area, you will be greeted by the LockQuest staff who will hand out random metal puzzles that are quite challenging, perhaps to activate your visual thinking and get those analytical juices flowing. At this time, you will be invited to use the facilities because there is no access to a washroom for the duration of the game, which could last up to an hour.
As part of a media preview, I was invited to bring a group with me and so I brought my husband, his brother and sisters as well as one of their friends. We signed up for an escape game last month and our group of six was joined by four others who had signed up for the same time slot.
~ SPOILER ALERT ~
After brief introductions, our host asked for volunteers who were more at ease with being in smaller spaces. I was intrigued and so I volunteered. Along with three others, we were lead into a small room while the remaining six were taken to a separate entrance to the apartment. Little did I know that my group had just volunteered to be locked up in handcuffs! All I can say is that I enjoyed it a little more than I should have, moreso for the sheer thrill factor of playing the role of a victim in a murder mystery than anything else. (Get your heads out of the gutter!)
While I would love to share my experience in greater detail, I do not want to spoil it any further for those of you who are interested in trying it out for yourself, especially since this theme will likely run for another four months before they create a new one. What I can tell you is that it was so much fun that I can't wait to do it again. I loved trying to solve the various puzzles and the myriad of hidden clues. It was also really interesting to see how each player brought his or her own skill sets to the game, with certain members excelling at communication and problem-solving while others showed their innate leadership skills. And this, after I harboured secret concerns that my husband and his siblings would find something to argue about while cooped up in a small apartment. Not that they ever argue with each other. (Insert winky emoji here.)
Tickets can be reserved online for $28 plus HST per player but I am hoping that a more competitive fee could be offered in the future, either for less busy time slots or through a promotion (ie. save $5 if you check in on Facebook.) Other than that, LockQuest's Escape the Book Club Killer escape game makes for a thoroughly enjoyable evening full of intrigue and fun. Highly recommended!
11 COMMENTS
This sounds like all kinds of fun! Located in the same neighborhood we moved from....definitely keeping this place in mind for one of our next drives into the city!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
It really is fun! Especially if you like mysteries and puzzles.
DeleteSounds like lots of fun! Too bad we don't get to the Toronto area very often but I will keep it in mind if we do! (Judy Cowan)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how many escape games are popping up these days. You may not have to travel as far one of these days.
DeleteI love mysteries and puzzles. This sounds like a blast!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea , for a night of fun
ReplyDeleteI have seen many of these escape room game places around my area! thanks for this -- I am going to book a time and go with a few others.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for one of these events for so long. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a unique and fun to thing to try.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! I will have to look into this. Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun! My partner and I have recently become addicted to escape games, and will definitely check this one out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to leave a comment here on Toronto Teacher Mom. Hope you have a great day!