What is an escape room? A first-timer’s guide

An escape room is a live, timed puzzle game where your group works together to solve clues and complete a goal before the clock runs out. At Escape 618 in downtown Belleville, Illinois, that means a private 60-minute game, a team of at least four people, and a game master watching over you the whole time. You’re never actually locked in.

What exactly is an escape room?

An escape room is a physical puzzle game built inside a themed set. A group of players is given a goal (find an object, solve a mystery, break out of a scenario) and a time limit to get it done. Along the way, players search for hidden clues, crack codes, and work through locks and mechanisms built into the furniture, walls, and props around them.

The idea draws on point-and-click adventure video games and real-world puzzle hunts. One of the best-known early versions, Real Escape Game, started in Kyoto, Japan in 2007, and escape rooms took off across North America, Europe, and East Asia in the 2010s.

In Belleville, Escape 618 is the only escape room in town, located at 102 E Main St downtown. Owner Tyler Renner and his team design, source, and build every set themselves, out of a basement workshop on East Main. Nothing here comes from a catalog.

What happens when you book a game?

Booking is the easy part. You can reserve a spot online at escape618.com/booking/ or by calling us directly. We suggest booking one to two weeks ahead, since weekend and holiday slots tend to go first, though walk-ins are sometimes possible if a time slot is open.

Every booking is private. You’ll only play with the people in your own group, never mixed in with strangers, and once you book a room, that whole session belongs to you.

How much does it cost?

Games run $35 per player, plus tax. Military members with a valid ID pay $30. Kids between 10 and 12 play Detention, our most family-friendly room, for $25. You’ll put down a single $35 deposit when you book, and pay the rest after the game for the players who actually came. Your group can split the bill however you like, by card or cash, together or separately.

How long does a visit actually take?

The game itself runs 60 minutes, but plan on spending 75 to 90 minutes total at Escape 618. That covers checking in, signing a digital waiver, a short briefing from your game master, the game, and a free group photo afterward, win or lose.

Why do escape rooms need a minimum number of players?

Every room at Escape 618 requires at least four players, and there’s a real reason for that minimum. These puzzles are built around conversation and shared discovery: one person notices something, another connects it to a clue across the room, and the group pieces it together out loud. Smaller groups tend to run out of steam, since two people stop talking to each other fairly quickly, and three tend to get stuck without enough hands and eyes.

Are you actually locked in during an escape room?

No, and this is one of the most common misconceptions about escape rooms. The exit door of every Escape 618 room has no lock on it at all. There’s also an emergency release that opens every electronic lock in the room at once if needed. Your game master watches the entire game and can speak with you throughout, so help is never far away.

If claustrophobia is a concern, our main spaces have tall ceilings. The one exception is a tighter crawl space inside The Jail Cell, and a teammate can always take that spot instead if you’d rather not.

What should you wear, and how do clues work?

Wear closed-toe shoes. They’re required. Beyond that, we recommend older clothes you don’t mind getting a little dusty, since some rooms involve crawling.

If you get stuck, you’re not stuck for long. Every room comes with three standard clues, and your game master can offer more if your group falls noticeably behind. Clues are built directly into the game, so they won’t feel like someone just handing you the answer. If you’d rather solve everything yourselves without help, you’re welcome to ask for none at all. And if time runs out before you finish, your game master will walk you through what you missed.

Where do you park, and what’s nearby?

Parking is free. The closest option is the lot right behind our building, the old Ben’s / Belleville Public Library lot. Street parking around downtown Belleville is also free, with no meters, and there’s additional free parking in the lot behind the Lincoln Theatre.

Once your game wraps up, our front patio has eight picnic tables if you want to hang around. Belleville’s Main Street also has plenty of places to grab a bite within walking distance, from pizza by the slice to a sit-down Italian dinner.

Ready to book your first game?

Escape rooms reward curiosity, not expertise. You don’t need experience, special gear, or a strategy going in, just a group of at least four people willing to talk, listen, and look closely at everything around them. If you’re in the Belleville or St. Louis Metro East area and want to see what a hand-built, locally owned escape room feels like, visit escape618.com/booking/ to find a time that works for your group.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for my whole group when I book?

No. You pay a single $35 deposit at booking, and the rest is due after the game. Your group can pay together or separately, by cash or card.

What happens if I need to cancel?

Call at least 24 hours before your scheduled game and your deposit will be refunded. Cancellations made later, or no-shows, forfeit the deposit.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. Detention is open to ages 10 and up, The Jail Cell requires players to be 13 or older, and The Haunted House of Alice is for ages 16 and up. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign the waiver, and if a player is under 16, an adult must stay on-site for the entire game.

Will I really be locked in the room?

No. Every room’s exit door has no lock, and an emergency release can open all electronic locks at once if needed. Your game master also watches the whole game and can talk with you throughout.