Before you book

We recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance, especially for weekends, holidays, and larger groups, since those times fill up fast. Last-minute bookings are sometimes available, so check our online calendar or give us a call at (618) 416-7300 to see what’s open.

Plans change, and we get it. To reschedule or cancel, call us at (618) 416-7300 at least 24 hours before your game. Cancellations made with enough notice receive a full refund of the $35 deposit. Cancellations made after that, or no-shows, forfeit the deposit.

Your room starts at the booked game time.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. That gives everyone time to check in, sign waivers, and get a quick briefing from your game master before the game starts. Late arrivals may cut into your game time, since the next group’s session can’t be pushed back.

Book online right here or call us at (618) 416-7300. Pick your room, tell us how many players you expect, and you’ll see the total cost for your group. A credit card is required to book, but you’ll only be charged $35 plus tax up front, with the rest due at the end of your game. That way you can add or drop players freely, without worrying about who’s coming or collecting money ahead of time. Before booking, please review the age requirements and warnings for each room to make sure it’s a good fit for your group.

Never. All of our rooms are private. Once you book, the room will show as full so no one outside your group can join.

Sometimes! If a room is open, we’ll get you in. But games fill up fast, especially on weekends, so the safest bet is to book online or call ahead at (618) 416-7300.

Every game is 60 minutes on the clock. Plan on being with us about 75-90 minutes total, with check-in, waivers, your game briefing, and a group photo at the end.

Yes. Detention is 10+, The Jail Cell is 13+, and The Haunted House of Alice is 16+.

Players don’t need to be 18 to play, but we strongly recommend an adult join younger groups. Younger kids can struggle, and they may need help staying on track or understanding a puzzle.

If anyone in your group is under 16, an adult must be on-site the entire time the room is running. Your game master is focused on running your game from the control room and can’t also supervise kids. If a young player gets scared, upset, or needs to step out, a parent or guardian needs to be right there for them.

Every player signs a quick digital waiver when you check in. Just tap “I agree” and sign with your finger. Players under 18 need a parent or legal guardian to sign for them.

You’ve got plenty of options, all free:

• Our top pick: the lot right behind our building, the old Ben’s / Belleville Public Library parking lot.
• Street parking all around us, with no meters.
• The big lot behind the Lincoln Theatre, just a short walk away.

Closed-toe shoes are a must. We also recommend older clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty, since you might end up crawling. You never know!

Every room needs at least 4 players. The Jail Cell and The Haunted House of Alice hold up to 8. Detention holds up to 12, and since we have two Detention rooms, groups of up to 24 can play at once. Bigger group? Call us at (618) 416-7300 and we’ll book multiple rooms at the same time.

No! When you book, tell us how many players you expect, and you’ll see the total for your group. But you only pay for one ticket up front: $35 plus tax. The rest is due after your game.

That means players can join or drop out of your group freely, as long as you still have at least 4 players to meet our minimum. And when it’s time to pay, your group can pay together or separately, with cash or card.

Nope! When you book, you only pay $35 plus tax up front. The rest is paid at the end of your game, based on who actually showed up and played. If someone gets sick, runs late, or backs out at the last minute, you don’t pay for them, and your ticket price doesn’t change. No chasing down friends for money and no paying for empty spots.

Just keep in mind that every room requires at least four players. This isn’t about money; it’s about playability. All of our rooms are built around group dynamics, with puzzles that depend on players talking, sharing what they see, and working together. Over the years we’ve found that groups of two tend to stop talking, and groups of three often clump together and give up. Four players is where natural teamwork kicks in, and that’s what our rooms are designed for.

• General admission: $35 per player
• Military (with valid ID): $30 per player
• Kids ages 10-12 (Detention only): $25 per player

All prices are plus tax. We offer kid pricing in Detention as a courtesy to parents, because kids are expensive! Ages 10-12 are the sweet spot where kids know enough to successfully play an escape room, and Detention is designed with them in mind.

We don’t offer group discounts, since every game we run is a group game. Some escape rooms use tiered pricing, but we’d rather keep it simple: one clear price per player. No math required, and no worrying that your ticket price will go up if someone doesn’t show.

You can still play! Plenty of guests have asked this, but no one has ever actually had a problem. All of our main spaces have tall ceilings and plenty of room to move around. Some areas, like the crawl space in the Jail Cell, are tighter, but that just means you can send a teammate in to handle those parts. And the exit door of every room is always unlocked, so you can step out anytime you need a break.

Three clues is standard, but we’ll give you as many as you need. Your game master is always watching, and nudges are built right into the game. Doing great? We’ll hold back. Right on pace? We’ll run the game as normal. Running way behind? You’ll get a few extra clues to keep you moving.

Our clues are never designed to feel like a lifeline. They’re built to feel like a natural part of the game, so you still feel like you earned your escape. Want to go it alone? Just tell your game master you don’t want any help, and we’ll run your game that way, except where clues are built into the game’s structure.

Never. The exit door of every room doesn’t even have a lock on it, so you can always walk out of the game. In some rooms, like the Jail Cell, you may be locked inside a cell or area as part of the puzzle. Even then, you’re never trapped. Every player has access to an emergency release that unlocks all electronic locks at once, and your game master is watching, listening, and able to talk with you the entire time.

It’s our scariest room, but it’s all about jump scares, not gore. There’s no blood and no graphic content. The goal is to keep you a little worried about what’s coming next. When someone gets scared, we want them to laugh, we want the whole room to laugh, and then we want everyone screaming again. Jump scares, a live actor, loud noises, and flashing lights keep you on edge from start to finish. If your group loves a good scare, this is the room for you.

No. We don’t allow photos or video of any kind during our experiences, so our puzzles and surprises stay a secret for the next group. But win or lose, your game master will take a group photo of your team after the game.

Nothing bad, we promise. When the clock hits zero, your game master will come get you and walk you through what you missed. And win or lose, we’ll take a group photo of your team.

Absolutely. Our front patio and its 8 picnic tables are yours to hang out at before or after your game. And you’re right in the heart of downtown Belleville, with great spots within walking distance:

• Bennie’s Pizza Pub, across the street: pizza by the slice and a full bar
• Sugar High: bakery and coffee
• Papa Vito’s: Italian
• Casa Maria: Mexican
• Tavern on Main: casual dining with a sidewalk patio
• Grüv Bistro & Wine Bar: small plates, cocktails, and a patio
• Shoehorn Brewing: local craft beer and big tables for board games
• Copper Fire: bar and grill with a dog-friendly patio
• The Roundabout Bar & Grill: Filipino and American comfort food
• Grafted Wine Bar: wine and cocktails in a historic mansion

Yes! Birthdays, school field trips, corporate team building, youth groups, and more. We offer custom group pricing and can open any day, any time by appointment. Call us at (618) 416-7300 or email tyler@escape618.com.

Food and drinks aren’t allowed in our lobby during regular hours, since it’s a shared public space. But you’re welcome to eat and celebrate at our 8 outdoor picnic tables right out front.

Need a private party room? We don’t offer one during regular hours, but our neighbors do. Sugar High, Bennie’s Pizza, Papa Vito’s, Casa Maria, Grüv, and Copper Fire are all steps away, and several have private party areas.

Booking a private event outside regular hours? Let us know ahead of time and we can approve food and drinks inside.

Yes! Digital gift cards are available online. Send one to someone special, or start a group gift card so friends can chip in together. Buy a gift card →

Our entire main level is fully accessible, including for wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and walkers. Our basement is reached by stairs and a powered chair lift, which may limit access to The Jail Cell and any future rooms located downstairs.

If anyone in your group has mobility needs, give us a call at (618) 416-7300 before you book and we’ll help you plan the best experience for your group.