Review: Disco 54 NYC, Unreal Escapes, Staten Island, NY
Fun Factor 7
Unreal Escapes
2571 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309
Date we played: May 26, 2025
Booking size 2 to 14 (we recommend 4 to 6)
Game time: 60 Minutes*
*If all players dress in 70s/80s style clothing, your group will get an extra 5 minutes.
Objective: Disco 54 is about to close – the owners have been accused of not paying their income taxes. Rumor has it that the tax money is stashed throughout the club. The Feds are on their way – can you get in, get rich, and get out before the Feds arrive?
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing Disco 54 NYC at Unreal Escapes at Staten Island, NY and we recommend it with a Fun Factor of 7. This Fun Factor is based upon the cohesive immersive story, where the puzzles all fit the narrative, a couple of really, really cool set pieces, and an overall fun time. Unreal Escapes excels at crafting a time, place, and setting for this scenario. And the game starts even before you walk into the escape room. Depending upon the size of your group, you'll have members who will be assigned certain roles, such as bartender, bouncer, or DJ. And these roles do matter and are integrated seamlessly into the game.
Disco 54 NYC at Unreal Escapes (Staten Island, NY) offers a clever and fully realized premise: ““Disco 54”” is about to be shut down for tax evasion, and your job is to “recover” the hidden cash before the Feds arrive. It’s a playful take on a real bit of NYC history, reimagined as a puzzle adventure in sequins and strobe lights. The moment you enter the “club,” it’s clear that immersion was a design priority. The dance floor, DJ booth, bar, cocktail tables, and lighting effects are all well-executed, with period-appropriate music and decor that transports players into the disco era. It’s one of those rooms where you stop noticing you’re in an office building—a testament to the strength of the environment.
Gameplay and Puzzles
Disco 54 NYC excels in its game flow, with puzzles that follow a consistent internal logic and fit naturally within the storyline. The progression—from outside the club to the dance floor and then deeper into the club’s private areas—felt deliberate and well-structured.
Many puzzles rely on observation and sequencing, and there are both linear and parallel puzzle-solving tracks. We appreciated that the solutions felt fair and thematically appropriate. That said, we occasionally stumbled by trying to solve certain puzzles before we had all the necessary information. Unreal Escapes handled this with grace, using their in-character hint system (delivered via monitors) to gently redirect us without breaking immersion. I have been known to develop tunnel vision by trying to solve a puzzle prior to having access to all the components.
Tip on avoiding tunnel vision of attempting to solve a puzzle too early… See our Pro-tips!
The DJ station at this fun space - the “club” space was appropriately sized to “feel” like a night club.
.One puzzle required distinguishing between similar colors, which may present a minor challenge for colorblind players (as it did for one of us).
Extras and Experience
Unreal Escapes allows bookings of up to 14. I don’t think there is enough content for 14 as a typical escape room. However, Unreal Escapes adds a few lighthearted touches that make this experience stand out as a party or team-building event, where larger groups might feel right at home. Groups can earn extra clues—or even extra time—by arriving in 70s/80s attire. It’s a fun incentive and feels in keeping with the game’s spirit, which is great for a larger group. The pre-room role assignments (DJ, bartender, bouncer, etc.) are another creative element that engages the team before the game even begins, and we appreciated that these roles had minor but meaningful relevance to the flow of the experience. Post-game, the staff takes themed team photos and, in our experience, were enthusiastic, personable, and clearly invested in helping players have fun and take away memorable photos.
Final Thoughts
Disco 54 NYC is a thematically strong, well-paced game with standout set design and a playful premise. While a few minor elements could trip up teams (like color-based tasks or early puzzle leaps), they don’t take away from the overall fun. The game succeeds at delivering a nostalgic nightclub heist with flair, and we recommend it with a Fun Factor of 7. If you're in the mood for mirror balls, hidden cash, and a dash of velvet-rope intrigue, this one hits the right beat.
We had fun playig Disco 54 NYC at Unreal Escapes and recommend it. If you go, please let them know you saw a Fun Factor Escape Room Review - also please drop us a note and tell us what you think. And of course…HAVE FUN!
