Think you’re smart? Here are 7 best escape rooms in Manchester to prove it
If you grew up reading Sherlock Holmes and ever wondered if you’ve got the detective skills to crack a case or escape a tricky spot, we’ve got the perfect challenge for you.
Manchester is home to several escape rooms that will let you and your friends step into a world of puzzles, mysteries, and adrenaline-pumping scenarios.
It’s a great chance to have fun and see how you and your friends work under pressure. Are you the leader, the creative thinker, or the calm one when the clock’s ticking down? You’ll learn a lot about each other along the way.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Let’s dive in!
1. Escape Hunt Manchester
Media credits: EscapeHuntUK
Address: Unit 19, Corn Exchange, Exchange Sq
Contact details: +44 161 237 1222
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 10:45 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Escape Hunt Manchester is tucked away in the lively Corn Exchange at Exchange Square. It offers an immersive and exciting escape room experience. It’s the go-to spot for anyone craving a mix of brain-teasing puzzles and high-energy adventures.
You could find yourself helping the White Rabbit in Alice in Puzzleland, hunting for pirate loot in Blackbeard’s Treasure, or defending your village in The Last Viking. With room for 2 to 6 players and an hour to crack the challenges, these games are perfect for groups.
Prices for the escape rooms range from £22 to £28 per person, depending on the group size. Students and seniors can snag discounts during the week, which is always a nice perk.
Pro tip:
Prefer the outdoors? Escape Hunt’s City Hunt mixes scavenger hunts with puzzles, leading you through Manchester landmarks like the Town Hall and Old Trafford. All you need is a smartphone and a sense of adventure to unravel the clues and explore the city.
2. Breakout Manchester – Newton Street
Media credits: breakoutmanchester
Address: 87 Newton St
Contact details: +44 161 236 5875
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 9:30 PM
Price: $$
Breakout Newton Street is right in the heart of Manchester’s buzzing Northern Quarter, so getting there is a breeze. It’s just a three-minute walk from bus and tram stations and only ten minutes from Piccadilly train station.
They’ve got an awesome selection of themed escape rooms, each with a unique story and puzzles.
At the moment, there are six rooms to choose from. One of the standout rooms is Crimson Lake Motel which starts off like a regular motel visit but quickly takes a sinister turn.
The room designs really pull you in, with everything from creepy horror vibes to fun and quirky mysteries. You and your team have 60 minutes to work together, find clues, and solve puzzles. Each room can handle teams of 2 to 5 players, with difficulty levels to suit everyone.
Pro tip:
Love a good murder mystery? Try Unsolved—you’ll need to figure out who the murderer is within your group before time runs out.
3. Lucardo Manchester – Escape Rooms
Media credits: lucardomanchester
Address: House, Floor 2, 5-7 Great Ancoats Street Virginia
Contact details: +44 161 425 2580
Operating hours:
- Monday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Friday: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Lucardo Manchester is the place to be if you’re into escape rooms with cool themes and clever puzzles. Located on Great Ancoats Street, the games last about an hour. Depending on the room, you can have teams of 2 to 6 players.
What makes Lucardo stand out is its variety of themes. Whether you’re breaking out of a high-security prison or learning magic, there’s something for everyone.
The Prison is a fan favourite. You’ll be thrown into a dramatic escape during a prison riot. From wearing prison uniforms to having a live actor in the mix, it’s an intense and realistic experience that keeps you on your toes. You’ll need quick thinking and a solid plan to make it out!
Pro tip:
On Thursdays, take advantage of the 2-for-1 deal by booking two games back-to-back! The second game is free (the cheaper one) when you book with at least four players. Just make sure to call ahead to reserve.
4. Houdini’s Escape Room Experience – Manchester Parrs Wood
Media credits: houdinisescaperoom
Address: Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, Wilmslow Rd, East Didsbury
Contact details: +44 800 999 1996
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Houdini’s Escape Room Experience is located at the Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, which is super easy to get to. There are bus stops and East Didsbury train station nearby, plus free parking if you’re driving.
They have a bunch of themed rooms, each with its own puzzles and storylines. Every room lasts 60 minutes.
In Escape from R.M.S. Titanic, you’ll be exploring cabins and trying to escape before disaster strikes—perfect for ages 8 and up.
If you like pirates, Captain Blackheart’s Curse has you trying to escape a cursed pirate ship. For something spookier, Creepy Carnival is set in a haunted carnival and is for ages 12 and up.
Pro tip:
Book online with the code ” PRICECUT ” to take advantage of their 50% discount on Tuesdays for groups of four or more. Also, look out for other weekly promotions that include food and drinks.
5. Adrenaline Escape – Atherton
Media credits: adrenaline.escape
Address: Victoria Mill, Bolton Old Rd, Atherton
Contact details: +44 1942 873150
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Adrenaline Escape in Atherton is the perfect place for a fun challenge with friends or family. They’ve got a variety of escape room themes that’ll test your problem-solving skills and teamwork.
In the Art Heist room, you’ll race against the clock to recover the stolen Mona Lisa. Meanwhile, the Eerie Cabin Escape takes you through a spooky cabin connected to missing people. You’ll have 60 minutes to solve all the puzzles and escape, so teamwork is key!
These rooms are great for all ages, whether you’re looking for something to do with the family or organising a team-building event. The place is family-friendly and has amenities like restrooms, Wi-Fi, and parking nearby.
Pro tip:
Beat the clock and watch your team’s name light up on the leaderboard for everyone to see! It’s a great way to brag about your escape room skills.
6. Z-escape, The Library of Enchantment
Media credits: z.artsmcr
Address: Z-arts, 335 Stretford Rd, Hulme
Contact details: +44 161 226 1912
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Friday: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday to Monday: Closed
Price: $$
Z-escape: The Library of Enchantment is a fun escape room that is perfect for families and kids aged 8 and up. In this adventure, you’ll work as a team to solve puzzles and catch Billi the Bookworm, who’s causing chaos in the library.
The escape room lasts 60 minutes, and teams of 3 to 8 people can join. Kids as young as 6 can play if they’re with an adult, making it a great option for family outings or birthday parties. A friendly Librarian will be there to help and offer hints if you need them.
Z-escape is on the top floor of Z-arts, which also has a children’s library, a café, and a gift shop.
Pro tip:
Book in advance and aim for a weekday visit to score the best rates with available discounts.
7. Escape Reality Manchester
Media credits: escaperealitymanchester
Address: The Printworks, Withy Grove
Contact details: +44 161 819 2074
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
Escape Reality Manchester is a great place for escape rooms and virtual reality gaming. It has eight different escape games, each offering its own unique story and challenges. The venue is spacious and surrounded by other entertainment options like restaurants and a cinema.
In the Tortuga Pirates game, you’re the captain of a ship in 1718, stuck with mutinous crew members. Your goal is to escape and find treasure before a curse turns you into a ghost. It’s an easy game, and it’s great for beginners or families.
You’ll have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape. The rooms are designed to feel immersive, so whether you’re on a pirate ship or facing supernatural forces, it’s like stepping into a different world.
Pro tip:
Use the QR codes to get hints and interact with your surroundings. It will keep the challenge fun and engaging.