Try your luck at these escape games in Toronto and the GTA

August 14, 2017

by José Gonzalez

Being locked in a strange room with only an hour (or less) to escape may not sound appealing, but anyone who's tried out an escape room knows it's a lot more fun than that slightly terrifying setup might suggest. Fans of puzzles and scavenger hunts have plenty to enjoy at the many escape game facilities across Toronto, and there's no shortage of new challenges for beginner and pro escape artists alike. [Photo credit: courtesy of Escape Casa Loma]

Try your luck at these escape games in Toronto and the GTA

BreakOut Adventures
This sleekly designed facility has two longstanding escape rooms that reach up to 1000 square feet. The waiting area features a few games to play if you happen to arrive early, and you can also try your hand at sticky ball, a game where two teams try to throw a number of stick balls onto each other.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 6 pm to 10:30 pm, Friday: 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Saturday: 11:30 am to 1:30 am, and Sunday 11:30 am to 10:30 pm
  • Where: 705 Progress Ave
  • Price: $21
  • Rooms: 2
  • Room themes: The Liberty Squad (World War II theme) and Hangover
  • Group sizes: 4 to 10
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • More information

Captive
Carefully decorated, and with a strong tendency towards horror themes, many of the rooms at this facility run across multiple sets. There's a $2 discount if you check-in on Facebook, but apparently you can also get money off if you bring along some cookies.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 4 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 4 pm to 12 pm, and Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Where: 43 Elm St
  • Rooms: 4
  • Room themes: Dracula’s Library, Charlotte (murder mystery), Cabinet of Curiosities and The Surgeon
  • Group sizes: 2 to 12
  • Time limit: 45 to 60 minutes
  • Price: $27
  • More information

Casa Loma Escape Series
One of the most expensive escape games in the city, and one of the most elaborate. Set in the historic Casa Loma, these games take you through multiple rooms and feature actors which liven up the experience. They're certainly worth the higher price tag.

  • When: Wednesday to Sunday: times vary by game
  • Where: Casa Loma
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: Station M, King of the Bootleggers and Escape from the Tower
  • Group sizes: 2 to 16
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $36 - $70
  • More information

De-Code Adventures
This location is constantly looking to change out old rooms, so it's worth keeping an eye on even after you've explored all its options. It also has a board game café to enjoy if you're hoping to hang out pre, or post-escape. Pre-booking and checking in on Facebook each save you 10 per cent for each game.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday: 4 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 1 am and Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 6620 Kitimat Road
  • Rooms: 5
  • Room themes: Board Game Adventure, De Code the Child’s Play, De Triad Code, De Code the Art Legacy and The Mutagen Effect
  • Group sizes: 3 to 12
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $29.99
  • More information

Esc-It
Billing itself as Toronto's first room escape location, it's been operating in the city for a few years now. In that time its rooms have changed a bit, with new themes and puzzles keeping the experience fresh and challenging. Be sure to pay in cash to save 20 per cent, and check in on Facebook to save another 20 per cent.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 3:30 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 3:30 pm to 11 am, Saturday: 12:30 pm to 1 am and Sunday: 1:30 pm to 11 pm
  • Where: 5051 Highway 7, Unit 10 & 11
  • Rooms: 7
  • Room themes: Time Warp, Cursed Library, Cryptic Cellar, Lost Lair, The Last Patient, Dungeon of Despair and Ringleader’s Revenge
  • Group sizes: 2 to 7
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $20 per person Monday to Thursday, $25 per person Friday to Sunday and holidays
  • More information

Escape Games
This North York location has been a popular spot in the city and has a large number of rooms, plus a few deluxe options that use some interesting high tech puzzles. Perhaps most interesting is its room titled “The Unknown,” a scenario for 18+ players that's shrouded in mystery.

  • When: Tuesday to Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 5 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 11:45 am to 1 am, Sunday: 11:45 am to 11 pm
  • Where: 15 Kodiak Cr, Unit 5
  • Rooms: 6
  • Room themes: Mayan Curse, Escape from Bleak Prison, Noriko, Crossroads, Syndicate: Relic Heist and The Unknown
  • Group sizes: 4 to 12
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: More $23 to $26.55
  • More information

Escape Station
One of the few escape game locations in the East End, this spot is a newbie compared to some others on this list. Its rooms are generally for smaller groups, with the limit maxing out at six. This spot has a few themes you won't find at many other escape games.

  • When: Thursday: 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday: 6 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am, Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 2252 Queen St East
  • Rooms: 4
  • Room themes: Spaceship Command, Police Interrogation, Museum Heist and Secret Agent
  • Group sizes: 2 to 6
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $25
  • More information

Escape The House
This location touts its use of live props and creating an emotional experience in its rooms. Just be sure to book online as this location doesn't take walk-ins, and when you do show up, try to show up a good 10 to 15 minutes early.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday: 4 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 1 am, Sunday 12 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 38-1200 Aerowood Dr
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: Turbulence, Trapped (night club) and Last Stop Motel
  • Group sizes: 2 to 8
  • Time limit: 5 minutes
  • Price: if relevant
  • Buy tickets: $30
  • More information

Escape Zone
Conveniently located near Spadina and College, keep your eye out for its ground-floor entrance as you might miss it. Upstairs you'll find several themed rooms to test your puzzle-solving skills. Checking-in and liking on Facebook saves you $2 for each, while checking-in on Yelp saves you $1.

  • When: Sunday to Thursday: 2 pm to 11 pm and Friday & Saturday: 2 pm to 12 am
  • Where: 388 Spadina Ave
  • Rooms: 4
  • Room themes: Billiard Room Murder, The Black Room, Da Vinci Code and Treble in the Studio.
  • Group sizes: 2 to 6
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $25 Adult, $22 Student
  • More information

Great Escape
With an easily accessible location in the West End, this facility has a small number of rooms, but does offer a genuine prize for finishing within its 60-minute time limit: a 20 per cent discount on your next escape room. It's also available for corporate and private bookings for those interested.

  • When: Friday: 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday: 1 pm to 11 pm, Sunday: 1 pm to 8 pm
  • Where: 165 Geary Ave
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: The First Endeavour, The Hangover and The Da Vinci Code
  • Group sizes: 4 to 8
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: General $20, Ages 5 to 10 $13.25
  • More information

iEscaped
The rooms here are tried are true, and have been drawing people in for a while now. Although there isn't much change up in the themes, they do offer a fun challenge if you've never taken them on before.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 4 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am, Sunday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Where: 5927 Yonge St
  • Rooms: 4
  • Room themes: Defuse, Abandoned (hospital), Viva Las Vegas and Space (abandoned shuttle)
  • Group sizes: 2 to 12
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $20
  • More information

Looking Glass Adventures
With only one room, this location in the East End is highly specialized. Billing itself more as an adventure game, the folks who run this escape room kindly offer unlimited hints to ensure no one gets stuck, and everyone has a chance to figure out the mystery.

  • When: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm, and Friday & Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm
  • Where: 2200 Danforth Ave
  • Rooms: 1
  • Room themes: Break in at your uncle's home
  • Group sizes: 4 to 6 (2 adults required per group)
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $25 adults, $20 youths (14 to 18), $15 children (3 to 13)
  • More information

Lost Canada
This facility introduces new rooms each year, so there's plenty of incentive to return. It also keeps a few old favourites on standby, so you won't be missing any of their greatest hits. This room is part of a franchise that began in Hong Kong, and the Toronto location is its first site in Canada.

  • When: Tuesday to Thursday: 2 pm to 10 pm, Friday: 2 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am, Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 685 Queen St West
  • Rooms: 5
  • Room themes: The Return of Nemesis (plague outbreak), The Gallery Codex, The Lost Den, Aching Time of Pi (prison) and The Royal Cemetery
  • Group sizes: 2 to 8
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: if relevant
  • Buy tickets: if relevant
  • More information

Mayze
Although it only has two rooms so far, it promises to add at least one more in the near future. In addition to escape games, you can also enjoy a few virtual reality video games in this facility's VR arcade. A social media check-in saves you $5 on admission, and being a student saves you another 10 per cent.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 6:30 pm to 12 am, Friday: 6:30 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 1:30 pm to 1 am and Sunday: 1:30 pm to 12 am
  • Where: 2210 Markham Rd
  • Rooms: 2
  • Room themes: The Truth of Osaka High and Escape with Usavich (cartoon prison)
  • Group sizes: 3 to 8
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $29.99
  • More information

Mysterious Minds
The two escape rooms at this facility have unique themes and a family-friendly vibe. Although there aren't any additional bells and whistles to enjoy outside of the game, the convenient downtown location makes it easy to get to, however you might choose to get around the city.

  • When: Wednesday to Friday: 5 pm to 11 pm and Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm to 11 pm
  • Where: 322 Bloor St West
  • Rooms: 2
  • Room themes: The Moonshine Mile and Gold Rush
  • Group sizes: 2 to 6
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: Adults $20, Ages 14 and Under $15
  • More information

Mystery Room
This location has escape games that take you through multiple rooms, and while it’s located in downtown Toronto, it manages to pack in a large number of room themes on site. Anyone playing on their birthday gets free admission, and while they do take walk-ins, it's strongly suggested you book in advance.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 5 pm to 10, Friday: 3 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am, Sunday: 2 pm to 10 am
  • Where: 419 Dundas St West
  • Rooms: 6
  • Room themes: Fun House, Tomb Explorer, Assassin’s Code, Space Odyssey, Vampire Story and Dream World
  • Group sizes: 4 to 10
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $25 (groups of three or less), $22 (groups of 5 - 14)
  • More information

NoWayOut
One of the newest escape game facilities, NoWayOut also touts having some of the biggest escape games in the province, with some themes spanning multiple rooms, passage ways and multiple floors. Special promotions include getting half off your next room if you finish your game in under 20 minutes, and free admission if you're playing within one week of your birthday. Games here are rated 18+, so you might not want to bring the kids to this one.

  • When: Wednesday & Thursday: 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday & Saturday: 2:30 pm to 11:30 pm and Sunday: 2:30 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 1200 Lormiar Dr
  • Rooms: 2
  • Room themes: 13 Sedah Ave. (serial killer), The Red Market (surgery)
  • Group sizes: 2 to 8
  • Time limit: 60 to 70 minutes
  • Price: $25 - $30
  • More information

Omescape
One of the bigger escape game facilities in Southern Ontario, it offers a comfortable waiting area before entering your game, where you can play board games while enjoying frozen yogurt and hot beverages. There are currently two locations, one in Markham and another in Scarborough.

  • When: Markham location: Monday to Thursday: 4 pm to 12:30 am, Friday: 4 pm to 2 am, Saturday: 1 pm to 2 am, Sunday: 1 pm  12:30 am; Scarborough location: Monday & Thursday: 4 pm to 12 am, Friday: 4 pm to 12:30 am and Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm to 12:30 am
  • Where: 7501 Woodbine Av, Unit 71187 Kennedy Rd
  • Rooms: Markham: 5, Scarborough: 2
  • Room themes: Markham: The Kingdom of Cats, The Dark Altar, Joker’s Asylum, Project Sphere and The Penitentiary; Scarborough: Virus Outbreak: The Final Hour and Shut Down
  • Group sizes: 3 to 10
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $28.20
  • More information

Origin Room Break
This 2000-square foot facility promises escape games with strong story elements to compliment the puzzles. It also includes some promotions, such as free admission on your birthday, $5 when you like them on Facebook and a chance at a special Lego prize if you can finish a room without using a hint.

  • When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 2 pm to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Where: 9737 Yonge Street, Unit 102
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: Vampire, Space Odyssey and Case Book
  • Group sizes: 2 to 8
  • Time limit: 60 to 90 minutes
  • Price: $25 to $30 per person
  • More information

Outbreak Escape Games
Although it only has one room so far, it's set to expand and has already added more to do than escape rooms. You can relax in the lounge playing VR games or more conventional video games. For the less tech-enthused crowd, you can also enjoy a few board games too.

  • When: Wednesday & Thursday: 5:45 pm to 11:45 pm, Friday: 5:45 pm to 1:45 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 1:45 am and Sunday: 12 pm to 11:45 pm
  • Where: 152 Avenue Rd
  • Rooms: 1
  • Room themes: Beneath the Surface (1950s bomb shelter)
  • Group sizes: 4 to 8
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $28
  • More information

PanI.Q.
Try to keep your cool at this facility, though don't dawdle as these rooms can be quite demanding. While you might struggle to beat some of the more impressive time records (most at about 10 minutes), you can still feel clever using the promotion of liking, commenting and sharing the Facebook page to save 20 per cent on admission.

  • When: Sunday to Tuesday: 12 pm to 10 pm, Thursday: 12 pm to 6 pm and Friday & Saturday: 12 pm to 2 am
  • Where: 1065 Canadian Place, Unit 132
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: The Dark Room, The Ward and The Hydro Dam
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $24.99
  • More information

Real Escape Game
With some very ambitious escape rooms, the designers of these games are also behind the popular Casa Loma escape series. These are on the pricier side, though you might notice how the bigger price tag goes into the quality of each room.

  • When: Appointments vary by each game
  • Where: 76 Stafford St and 81 Huron St
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: Escape from the Time Travel Lab, The Trial of the Mad Fox Society and Escape From the Red Room
  • Group sizes: 6 to 11
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Price: $20 to $28
  • More information

Riddle Room
This facility has more than escape rooms, it also includes a café where you can relax playing board games or video games. It's a nice way to amp yourself up for the escape room, or to celebrate your latest victory.

  • When: Tuesday to Friday: 2 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am and Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
  • Where: 579 Yonge St
  • Rooms: 4
  • Room themes: The Castle, Framed (prison), Luci’s Room, and Missing Anatomy
  • Group sizes: 4
  • Time limit: 50 minutes
  • Price: Weekdays: $20, Weekends:  $25
  • More information

Roundabout Canada
The escape games at this location have a cinematic style of presentation, with at least one room clearly inspired by a Hollywood blockbuster. Just be aware that if you sign up to do the ninja room, you'll have to take off your shoes before entering, so try to remember your nicest socks.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 3 pm to 12 am, Friday: 3 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 1 am, Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Where: 330 Yonge St
  • Rooms: 5
  • Room themes: Final Destination, Butcher’s Basement, The Prisoner, Back to the Mummy and The Ninja
  • Group sizes: 2 to 9
  • Time limit: 45 to 60 minutes
  • Price: $25 or $28
  • More information

Secret City Adventures
Secret City Adventures is a group running several games around the city, including the aforementioned Casa Loma Escape series. In addition to those, it has a site-specific escape game at Black Creek Pioneer Village and another game based on the popular TV series Murdoch Mysteries.

  • When: Where Dark Things Dwell: Friday to Sunday and Solve the Secret of Station House No. 4: Wednesday to Sunday, times vary by game
  • Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village and George Brown House
  • Rooms: 2
  • Group sizes: Where Dark Things Dwell up to 60 and Solve the Secret of Station House No. 4 up to 12
  • Time limit: 60 to 90 minutes
  • Price: $22 to $42
  • More information

Trapped
This facility is all about immersion, so much so that they promise it begins just by stepping into the lobby. Be sure to book online to save $3 on admission, and you can score an additional 10 per cent off and a membership card if you like their Facebook page and it's your first visit. The membership card earns you points that give you further discounts on escape games, a special exclusive room and a free drink after you finish your game.

  • When: Monday to Thursday: 4 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 4 pm to 2 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 2 am, Sunday: 12 pm to 11 pm
  • Where: 3130 Hwy 7 East
  • Rooms: 5
  • Room themes: Ancient Pyramid, Medieval Prison, Contaminated Hospital, Death Note (based on the anime) and Chaos Effect
  • Group sizes: 2 to 10
  • Time limit: 60 to 70 minutes
  • Price: $28
  • More information

Trapped!
Taking advantage of its surroundings, the stories in this facility are based on the history of the building itself. A few liberties are taken with certain themes, but it’s a creative way to give the games a bit of extra flavour.

  • When: Tuesday to Thursday: 6 pm to 11 pm, Friday: 6 pm to 1 am, Saturday: 12 pm to 1 am and Sunday: 12 pm to 11 pm
  • Where: 118 Dundas St West
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes:  Diamond Heist, Claustrophobia and Pandemic
  • Group sizes: 2 to 8
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $28
  • More information

Xtreme Escape Adventures
There are three different rooms on offer here, each with its own unique theme. There are no walk-ins though, so be sure to register online to ensure you'll get the spot you're looking for.

  • When: Tuesday to Thursday: 6 pm to 10 pm, Friday: 6 pm to 11 pm, Saturday: 2 pm to 11 pm and Sunday: 2 pm to 8 pm
  • Where: 6033 Shawson Drive, Unit 25
  • Rooms: 3
  • Room themes: Airport Explosion, The Antidote and Graveyard Shift
  • Group sizes: 2 to 10
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Price: $30
  • More information
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