Public Escape Room Bookings - A Fun Factor Guide
“Public bookings can be a great value and a lot of fun—but they come with tradeoffs. You might pay less and meet great teammates, or you might find yourself short-handed, outpaced, or sidelined. Know the pros and cons, and book accordingly.”
One of the most common questions we get is about public escape room bookings—rooms where you may be paired with other players unless you reserve every spot. Like many aspects of escape rooms, the answer isn’t simple. Some of our best experiences—and some of our worst—have happened in public rooms.
Whenever possible, we try to note in our reviews whether a room was offered as a public booking at the time we played.
Over the years, we’ve played many public escape rooms and have had some absolutely wonderful experiences with strangers. Cooperative teammates, shared “aha!” moments, and the satisfaction of solving puzzles alongside people you just met can be genuinely fun.
That said, personal preferences matter. In the post-COVID era, we generally prefer not to play with strangers in confined spaces. That’s not a judgment—just a comfort choice. Others may feel very differently, and that’s completely valid.
The Pros of Public Escape Rooms
Lower cost per person: Public rooms often make it far more affordable for smaller teams—especially groups of two or three—compared to private bookings.
Potentially great teammates: You may be paired with friendly, collaborative players who enhance the experience and contribute meaningfully to solving puzzles.
Greater flexibility: Public rooms often offer more availability, which can be helpful for travelers or last-minute bookings.
The Cons to Be Aware Of
Room balance: Some escape rooms are clearly designed for larger groups. If you’re only two players in a room built for ten or twelve, completing the game may be significantly harder—or simply unrealistic.
Experience imbalance: Other players may have already played the room, allowing them to move very quickly through puzzles and sometimes unintentionally sideline newer players.
Group dynamics: Occasionally, you may be paired with a group that already knows each other and doesn’t fully integrate additional players.
Limited personal space: Some rooms allow booking sizes that, at maximum capacity, can feel crowded or uncomfortable.
Tips: If you are in a public room with strangers
Break the Ice: If you find yourself in an escape room with strangers, you are not alone…the other players are in a room with strangers too. You! Introduce yourself and establish a rapport.
Ask the others questions before the game starts: Ask the other players if they have any escape room experience, and if they have played this room before.
Be a team player: Before and during the escape room, work together. If you have more experience than the others, they will likely look to you for guidance. For example, you can tell them about communication, and if they find something, they should announce it to the group.
A Practical Tip
We’ve found that some escape rooms are willing to block off a public room as private if you call and ask—especially for weekday daytime bookings, which are often slower periods. It’s never guaranteed, but it’s worth asking if playing privately is important to you. Another option, if the company allows it, is to book closer to game time in the hope that no additional players join.
Our Take
We’re not here to encourage or discourage public escape rooms. Our goal is simply to help you understand what you’re booking. Public rooms can be a fantastic value and a lot of fun—but they do come with tradeoffs that are worth considering before you hit “confirm.”
As with most things in escape rooms, the best experience comes from matching the room, the booking style, and the team to what will be the most fun for you. No one would think twice about strangers sitting at the next table in a restaurant - but it would probably be unsettling if they were seated at “your” table.
Like escape rooms themselves, public bookings work best when everyone’s on the same team.