Forget dinner and a movie—try dinner and an escape room for a date night that’s sure to get your heart racing in more ways than one!
While escape rooms might not scream “romantic,” they’re packed with benefits for couples. Picture this: better communication, stronger trust, and a whole lot of laughs as you solve puzzles together. Plus, you’ll finally have an excuse to put down your phones and interact like it’s the good ol’ days.
So, spice things up and give it a try! Your unforgettable adventure awaits.
Why Escape Rooms Make for a Great Date Night
Before we dive into planning the ultimate escape room date night, let’s quickly review why escape rooms make such a fantastic date spot:
- Challenge Accepted: There’s nothing like overcoming a challenge together to bring people closer. Escape rooms offer you and your date the chance to solve puzzles and hunt for clues right from the get-go. Not only can you both leave the experience with a sense of accomplishment (and perhaps plans for another date!), but you’ll also gain insights into how you work together and communicate.
- For Everyone: Escape rooms are perfect for both first dates and couples who’ve been together for decades! For first dates, escape rooms provide an activity that keeps things exciting and eliminates awkward silences or nervousness. For veteran couples, they offer a fresh experience that you might not have done together before, helping you continue learning about each other in new ways.
So, ditch the usual dinner and movie plan. It’s time to embrace the adventure and make some unforgettable memories!
Ready to escape? Let’s get planning!
Escape rooms are also a great option for a double date or group date, as most rooms take between 2 and 10 people.
Finally, escape rooms are just plain fun! You and your date are sure to have a blast, which is really the most important thing.
How To: The Perfect Date Night in an Escape Room
While you can absolutely keep date night simple with just an escape room, why not add a few extra steps to make the most of it?
Plan Ahead
Do a little research before you go on your date night at the escape room. The most important step: pick the best escape room for you and your date. There’s truly an escape room for everyone, from lighthearted adventure-based games to those that will scare the living daylights out of you. Just make sure the escape room you pick works for both of you! If you love horror but your date… doesn’t, it’s probably best to steer clear of anything too spine-tingling. Consider difficulty ratings too, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Eat Up
No one has fun when they’re hungry—especially if they’re trying to solve a challenging puzzle. For the best date night, grab a bite to eat before getting locked in a room for up to 60 minutes! Whether it’s a full romantic meal with wine and candles or a quick coffee and pastry is up to you. You can even choose your escape room location based on proximity to an exciting restaurant!
Play Your Heart Out
Okay, finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Nothing else to do here except have fun solving puzzles and meeting challenges head-on. You’re sure to have a bonding experience no matter which game you’ve chosen (and how long you’re trapped in the escape room together!).
Debrief
Now that you’ve broken the ice by successfully completing your escape room, you’ll likely have lots to talk and laugh about. Cement those fun experiences into fond memories by taking some time after the escape room to just hang out and talk—maybe over dessert or an evening walk. You’ll get some quality time with your date and get to reflect on the adventure you just shared.
Ready to level up your date night? Let the adventure begin!
Best Escape Rooms for Date Night
While any escape room can make a great date night, there are a few we here at The Escape Works recommend.
Best First Date: Family Fortune
Difficulty: 7 out of 10
Number of players: 2–6 players
Your poor old Aunt Edna has turned into a real-life Sherlock Holmes over the years, becoming increasingly paranoid. Since her husband’s passing and the payout from his sizable life insurance policy—thanks to his many years in the diamond industry—she’s convinced the entire family is after her inheritance. And honestly, she’s not wrong! Her children have shuffled her off to the infamous nursing home, Mildew Meadows. Now, Aunt Edna is counting on you, her favorite relative, to enter her condo, grab some personal belongings, and send them to her.
But here’s the twist: the inheritance is cunningly hidden in her condo, guarded by layers of tricks and traps. If you’ve got the wits and speed, you might just uncover the treasure that has eluded so many before you.
Ready for the challenge? Let’s see if you can outsmart Aunt Edna’s clever defenses! BOOK ROOM
Best Date Night Challenge: CSI
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Number of players: 2–6
“The Family” has made you an offer you can’t refuse.
You’re an experienced lead CSI agent with mob ties you thought you’d left behind. But, as they say, once you’re in “The Family,” you never really leave.
When their beloved patriarch turned up dead, they called the police—but of course, “The Family” doesn’t trust cops. You, on the other hand? You’re a legend in interpreting complex crime scenes, and you’ve got a crack team of investigators at your disposal. Plus, when your “godfather” calls you in the middle of the night, you respond—because you don’t want to sleep with the fishes.
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Ready to channel your inner detective and take on the challenge? Time to show “The Family” what you’re made of! BOOK ROOM
Good luck, and may the clues be ever in your favor!
Best Group Bank Heist
Difficulty: 8 out of 10
Number of players: 4 –10 players
You are part of America’s top crime syndicate, ready to pull off the heist of a lifetime at the Valley Isle Bank, 140 Stone St, Watertown, NY 13601. Today, you and your team face your greatest challenge yet.
Your recon team just nailed phase one—they’ve ensured the building is empty and gained access to the bank manager’s office, where the vault awaits. But don’t get too comfortable; this vault is a tough nut to crack. Luckily, they’ve hidden clues, tools, and hints around the office to help you out.
The security system is on pause for 55 minutes, thanks to your tech wizards. After that, the alarm goes off, giving you just 5 minutes to skedaddle before the cops show up. Your hackers will be on standby, monitoring your progress and ready to assist via the office computer.
Time to channel your inner action hero and make this heist one for the history books! BOOK ROOM
Good luck, and happy heisting!
Best Outside-the-Box Date: The Safe Zone
Difficulty: 8 out of 10
Number of players: 4 or 10 players
The Zombie Apocalypse is finally here, and you’ve been a lone wolf survivor—congrats! But let’s face it, battling zombies solo is exhausting. You’ve teamed up with a ragtag group of survivors and arrived at an abandoned military hospital, hoping to find shelter, supplies, and maybe, just maybe, a Safe Zone nearby.
A few warnings though:
- This military hospital’s climate control is all over the place—it’s cold in the winter and a sauna in the summer. Dress accordingly unless you enjoy feeling like a human popsicle or roasted marshmallow.
- Be prepared for tight spaces, darkness, and the occasional need for physical activity. It’s like a zombie-themed gym session!
- Expect flashing lights and, of course, problems.
Stay sharp, stay dressed appropriately, and may your quest for the Safe Zone be successful!
Happy surviving! BOOK ROOM
(This is a great group event game, best for 4 – 10 people)
(Great team building event, family outing or what can we do with 3 to 6 couples)
Best/Hardest Date: The Ship
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Number of players: 4 or 8 players
The media is buzzing about America’s self-made billionaire, prankster, and eccentric philanthropist, John Buckingham. Known for his wild publicity stunts—like renting the Goodyear blimp to drop millions of dollars over Los Angeles—Buckingham has now taken his antics to a whole new level. He’s been dressing, acting, and talking like a pirate. Aye, matey!
In a press release, Buckingham claimed to have hidden “possibly the most valuable treasure ever” in an old clipper ship docked near his mansion in The 1000 Islands. Naturally, this has sparked a treasure hunt frenzy among residents, all hoping to uncover Buckingham’s Billions. However, so far, no one has struck gold.
Today, you and your crew have 60 minutes to search for this elusive treasure. Sharpen your wits, channel your inner pirate, and may the best treasure hunter win!
Ready to set sail and find the loot? Let the adventure begin! BOOK ROOM
(This is a great group event game, best for 4 – 8 people)
(Great date night or doing something different and challenging with friends or on a family outing)