Once the door shuts, you’ve got 60 minutes to escape ... or else.
The doors at Escape Quest aren’t actually locked, but most players tend to forget that during the thrill of working together with their team to navigate a room filled with obstacles, puzzles and hidden chambers.
“It’s a lot of fun. people get really into it,” says Kevin Noseworthy, managing operating partner of Escape Quest. “They can’t bring in their phones and they know the clock is ticking. They need to work together if they want to get out.”
Escape Quest was the dream project of what Noseworthy describes as “four ’90s kids from da Pearl” — himself along with Mark Denine, Nicole Kieley and Mark Webber.
They’ll celebrate five years in business in September, and Noseworthy credits their use of handcrafted props, decor and puzzles to create intricate themed rooms all set within Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Thanks to the efforts of many incredible local artists who have contributed work to our rooms — and our outstanding staff — our rooms are a one-of-a-kind experience.”
1892: The Great Fire
On July 8, 1892, the city of St. John’s was destroyed by fire. When looting erupted on Duckworth and Water Street, the players’ team was “arrested” and thrown in the jail cells beneath the court and markethouse. Players need to try and escape their prison before the fire wipes them from history.
Patient 709
An outbreak of a zombie virus has turned the city of St. John’s into a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Military documents speak of a possible cure based on the DNA of the mysterious Patient 709, a man who appears to be immune. Players must explore an abandoned lab under the city in search of the cure, but the undead have caught their scent ...
Taken By The Faeries
Noseworthy says Newfoundland’s treasured faerie traditions spring to life in this room based on local folklore. A simple berry-picking trip goes awry as the team of players ignores an old woman’s advice and gets trapped in the faerie world. Only by outwitting the mischievous faerie folk can they all hope to find their way back home.
Lost Colony of Atlantis
Buried underneath the cliffs of Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail lies a structure with a 10,000-year-old secret. Only accessible for one hour during the lowest tide of the year, the last research team to explore these ruins of a lost civilization never returned. So how will your group fare?
Best Kind Rewind: A 90’s Adventure
Escape Quest invites players to take a step back in time in this nostalgic scenario based on life in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1990s. Players have got one hour to return a rented VHS tape. Noseworthy promises “no ’90s knowledge is required” to enjoy this retro adventure, so don’t feel it’s only for people who remember Pogs.
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Escape Quest also organizes pop-up events throughout the year. They’ve turned iconic locations like the LSPU Hall, the Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre and the Crypts of the Anglican Cathedral into escape games.
Coming up in March, Noseworthy says they’re launching a deep space mission with the Johnson Geo Centre that will only be available for a limited amount of time.
Because Escape Quest’s rooms require teamwork and communication to solve, he says they’re ideal for corporate team-building events. They can host up to 40 people in an hour and offer competitive rates for corporate groups and not-for-profit organizations, plus these bookings can even be scheduled earlier in the day before Escape Quest is open to the public.
To learn more about Escape Quest or book your next adventure, visit escapequest.ca.
