Escape Room FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Your Escape Game | Sherlocked

New to the world of escape rooms? No worries, we've got answers! Our blog is here to provide you with all the essential information you're curious about before diving into our escape games. We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about escape rooms – from the basics to the details. This way, you are fully prepared to start your next adventure.

1. What is an escape room?

An escape room is an interactive experience where you and your team solve a series of puzzles, uncover hidden clues, and collaborate to achieve a goal within a set time limit. It’s a mix of problem-solving, teamwork, and storytelling, offering exciting challenges to complete for participants of all skill levels.

Want to become an escape expert? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Escape Rooms for tips, tricks, and everything you need to know before your first adventure!

2. How long does a game last?

Most escape room experiences last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the theme and complexity of the room. Be sure to factor in a few extra minutes for a briefing before the game and a debrief afterward.

3. What happens if the time runs out?

Depending on the room that you are playing in, you might experience a different ending if your time runs out and you don’t manage to escape. Either way, your host will make sure to get you out of the room and you might want to try again some other time to succeed in your next escape!

4. Is there any preparation to do beforehand?

You do not have to prepare anything before playing and there is no prior knowledge you need to have to beat our rooms. Just bring your wit, your humour, and some competitive spirit and you’ll be good to go and escape. Of course, it never hurts to warm up your brain with some puzzle exercises beforehand but we don’t expect you to be an expert in everything and anything!

5. How difficult are the rooms?

Our rooms will definitely challenge you, whether it is physically or intellectually. You will need to think outside the box if you want to escape! Each has its own atmosphere and level of difficulty, but you won’t find the same puzzles and elements in them.

The Architect is a 60-minute adventure set in the quaint and picturesque old study of famous architect HP Berlage. Perfect for beginners, but still great for experienced enthusiasts.

The Vault isn’t exactly an escape room but a ‘break-in’ experience, which is slightly more demanding. A bit more challenging than The Architect, also longer and involving a bit more theatrics. Perfect for those longing for fully immersive thrills as high-class thieves…

The Alchemist is a 90-minute magical adventure where you recreate the most dangerous ritual in the history of alchemy. This room is both a bit more puzzly than the others and high on spectacle and intrigue.

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, we’ve got an adventure tailored to your skills.

6. What is the ideal team size for an escape game?

We think that the ideal group size depends on whether you are experienced or not. Some groups work beautifully with two people whereas others prefer to have six different brains working full-steam in the room.

That being said, every escape game is different and so are their mechanics, thus impacting the flow of the game depending on the amount of people you bring with you. For instance, when playing our room called The Vault, we do not recommend teams of only two people as many duos have struggled to actually finish the room. In this case, gathering between 4 and 6 people should prove ideal for your experience. But this is all at your own risk! Sometimes an overabundance of participants leads to a chaotic escape and clues end up being lost in this chaos…

Now if you’re wondering who to bring along, we previously compiled a comprehensive guide to escape game player types that might resonate with you and call to your mind the perfect teammates to bring along.

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7. What time should we arrive?

We recommend arriving at least 5 minutes before your game, you don’t want to be late! Our rooms are located in the centre of Amsterdam and it can sometimes be complicated to reach them on time so plan your departure a little bit in advance.

For the most competitive of you, we encourage you to take your time discussing tactics and strategies with your team around a cup of coffee! Part of the fun is the preparation, the build-up, the anticipation! The lovely Bistro Berlage sits right next to our rooms so this is the perfect hangout spot before starting your Sherlocked experience.

8. What happens if I arrive late?

Arriving on time is essential to fully enjoy your experience. If you’re late, your game time may be reduced, or in some cases, you might not be able to play if the session has already started. Arriving early allows you to settle in and start the adventure stress-free.

9. What can I bring to the escape room?

You might need to bring your reading glasses as there may be some text or small things to look at. Otherwise, phones or smart watches are not allowed in the rooms, along with any electronics you might use to bypass the mechanics. Just bring your detective attitude along with some playful spirit, that you will need!

10. What should I wear to an escape room?

You should wear clothes that allow you to move around freely. Nothing too tight, nothing too heavy. Don’t wear too much jewellery either, you don’t want to lose a ring out there! You should pick an outfit in which you feel comfortable so you don’t have to think about it while you play. Check out this blog on what to wear in escape rooms for more details!

11. Is there any age restriction?

Our age restriction is 14+. Below this age, we ask your group to have a chaperone of at least 16 years old so the younger participants can enjoy their experience to the fullest.

12. Can children participate?

Yes! Children aged 10 and up are welcome to join the adventure, but they must be accompanied by an adult team member in order to escape successfully. Our rooms are designed for teamwork, so the younger ones will enjoy the fun of solving riddles and working with the group.

13. Are your rooms suitable for claustrophobic people?

Yes! While some rooms may have tight spaces, there’s always a way to step out if you feel uncomfortable. Let us know your concerns, and we’ll ensure you feel at ease.

14. How many people can play an escape room?

The number of people who can play depends on the specific room, but most rooms accommodate 2 to 8 players. Some venues also offer experiences for larger groups or corporate events, so it’s always a good idea to check with the provider.

Our rooms can be played by:

The Architect: 2–6 players

The Alchemist: 3–6 players

The Vault: 4–7 players

For larger groups, you can reserve multiple rooms or check out our large group offer, Time Crimes—a thrilling escape experience for up to 100 players. It’s perfect for team building, celebrations, or any big adventure!

Contact us to discuss your needs, and we’ll create an unforgettable experience for your group.

15. How much does it cost?

Prices vary depending on the game, time slot, number of participants, and date. Here’s a quick overview of starting prices for our escape games:

The Architect: From €28 per person

The Vault: From €28 per person

The Alchemist: From €39 per person

For details regarding our Time Crimes experience, visit our Time Crimes page.

16. Are the escape rooms scary?

Our rooms are not intended to be scary and there aren’t any jumpscare. Though the games were designed to be as immersive as possible and some are played in the dark, our goal isn’t horror. Rather, our mechanics of immersion lead you to feel the pressure and suspense as you race against time.

17. Am I really locked in?

Don’t worry, there is always a way out of the rooms. We have emergency exits that can be opened at any time so even if your host locks you in, you can always escape! These exits don’t require any puzzle or mystery to solve, so don’t worry about claustrophobia. If you are feeling uncomfortable, let your game master know and you will be able to exit anyway.

18. Are your escape rooms private?

Yes, all of our rooms are completely private. No unexpected teammates or strangers will join your adventure—it’s just you and your crew working together in order to escape.

19. Do you offer digital escape rooms?

Absolutely! For solo adventurers, we have Ada's Study—a digital escape game designed for one person to unravel on their own. If you prefer a team experience from the comfort of your home, our Home Mysteries are physical adventures perfect for groups. Both options bring the magic of Sherlocked to you, wherever you are.

20. Will we be playing with others?

No, at Sherlocked, every game room is private. It’s your mission, your mystery, and your moment to shine as a team. Whether it’s a group of friends, family, or coworkers, you’ll play an escape game with just your chosen teammates. If you’ve got more questions about reservations or available spots, please contact us!

21. Can I bring food and drinks?

Food and drinks are generally not allowed inside the rooms to protect the props and puzzles. However, many venues have lounge areas where you can enjoy refreshments before or after your game. Be sure to check if there are nearby spots to grab a snack if you’re planning a longer visit.

22. Can we take photos of the rooms?

To preserve the mystery and excitement for future guests, most escape experiences do not allow photos inside the game areas. You don't want to spoil it and prevent others from all the magic. If it’s a special occasion, reach out to us.

23. Is there a maximum number of players?

Yes, most rooms have a maximum number of people who can play to ensure the experience is enjoyable and manageable. The limit varies depending on the game and venue, so check with your provider for the specific capacity of each room.

24. Are payments secure?

Absolutely. Your online payment is 100% secure. We use trusted systems to protect your details, so you can focus on selecting your time slot and preparing for the adventure ahead.

25. How accessible are the rooms?

Our location isn’t wheelchair accessible, unfortunately. The entry of the Beurs van Berlage is only accessible by stairs and our rooms, located in the basement, involve crawling or climbing. Although they aren’t explicitly arranged for deaf-mute individuals, our game masters can adapt themselves to the group if need be, when made aware of a team’s limitations.

26. Do you have parking?

We don’t have dedicated parking, but there are public options available. However, we highly recommend traveling by public transport! The city center is notoriously hard to navigate by car, parking can be expensive, and delays are common.

Our location is just a short walk from Central Station, with plenty of public transport stops nearby for your convenience.

If you do decide to travel by car, consider using Amsterdam’s affordable P+R (Park and Ride) options.

27. What is your cancellation policy?

Life happens, and we get it. Here’s how our cancellation policy works:

Up to 48 hours before your game: You can cancel or reschedule for free. We can issue a full refund or provide a voucher for a future booking.

Between 48 and 24 hours before your game: We’ll refund 50% of your spent amount.

Less than 24 hours before starting time: Refunds are not possible.

Please note: the refund will be given within 30 days.

28. Do you take unpaid reservations?

Most escape adventures require reservations to be paid in advance to secure your spot. This guarantees a smooth booking process and helps avoid overbooking or no-shows. Be sure to check the booking policies.

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