Escape the 1980s
Escape the 1980s
5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
You're stuck in a 1980s time warp. Your group has 60 minutes to get through four rooms and find clues that will unlock doors, open padlocks, and hack into computer systems. Your goal is to get "back to the future". Make calls from push button 80s phones....enter a "secret code" into a talking computer system...press "musical notes" to unlock doors - and tons more. Knight Rider, the Goonies, Walkie Talkies and much more. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, going out on a date, doing something rad with friends or looking for some non-dorky team building - this is a totally righteous, most unusual adventure.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- 5th St • 2 min walk
- 8th St • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
127 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Liz S
12 contributions
Feb 2020
We were in Philly celebrating a 50th birthday and this was the perfect activity to end a day of site-seeing in the historic area. Everyone in our group of 5 had a great time, even the one who was reluctant at first! They recommend 6 or more but we completed the game with 8 minutes to spare, and it was just us. Given that we all grew up in the 80's made this even more fun, but you don't have to get all the references to have a great time. As an added bonus there is a bar just outside in the Bourse building to get drinks before and/or after (and you can find coupons for free beer and other snacks). I highly recommend this place.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millroseplace
Abington, PA8 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Great experience! Fun for Gen Xers and teens in our group. Not too easy or too hard. Well designed. This was our first Escape Room challenge and we had a blast.
Written May 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mirangela
philadelphia7 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We were a group of 10 (all couples) who were looking for a fun, memorable way to celebrate a "big" birthday for a good friend. Escape the 1980s (& East Passyunk Avenue) was the perfect way to celebrate! We had originally booked a Saturday night in April, but a crazy spring snow prevented us from getting there. Elizabeth was very kind and thankfully worked with us to find a June date. Thank you again, Elizabeth!
Now on to the game. You don't need to know everything about the 80s to decipher the clues, but it definitely brought back great memories for our team of 40 somethings. We were a private group which I think worked to our advantage since we were able to divided & conquer the tasks by skill set. Also, since we knew each other so well we had no qualms about making sure everyone stayed on track (even if it involved a little yelling ;) All in all, a great time. Highly recommend!
Now on to the game. You don't need to know everything about the 80s to decipher the clues, but it definitely brought back great memories for our team of 40 somethings. We were a private group which I think worked to our advantage since we were able to divided & conquer the tasks by skill set. Also, since we knew each other so well we had no qualms about making sure everyone stayed on track (even if it involved a little yelling ;) All in all, a great time. Highly recommend!
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for writing this review! We are SO GLAD you guys had fun and that you posted on Trip Advisor. We think you guys are rad! Like to the max. xo, Elisabeth and the team at Escape The 1980s
Written June 7, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nicoleos2015
Philadelphia, PA50 contributions
Jun 2019
Great place to go with friends and a fun way to spend an hour. One of the best escape rooms in Philly!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele M
Philadelphia, PA28 contributions
Oct 2019
We were only a group of (4) and we had a great time and were able to escape the 80s!! The attention to detail at this location is fantastic, especially if you grew up in the 80s you will enjoy all the props and detail.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jon_dunleavy23
Turnersville, NJ3 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
*Full disclosure this is a review done by two experienced escape room players and isn't the typical "the room was fun 5 stars" *
Escape the 1980s is a gem, my girlfriend and I did the room for my birthday on march 4th, going into the room we have done 20+ games and assumed from all the reviews the game would be easy but you get a couple cool incentives for it being your birthday. The staff is amazing Carsen and Kent our Game master and Video/tech master were amazing. Escape the 1980s is the only room we have ever done in which the GM and VM matter, the "puzzles" in 80s are not the typical find a lock, find said key to lock, find word that goes to next lock, the game is different in a way you cannot describe. Without giving much of a spoiler the room(s) and each puzzle riddle math equation in each make you feel extremely immersed, walking into a bright pink room with the tacky 80s painting and music of "video killed the radio star" was an enjoyment for being 22 and never being able to feel the 80s outside of my parents and TV I stopped for a second in awe of the room, they are all that well designed.
For puzzles the only grip is they are redundant but they aren't boring in anyway the games for lack of a better word OWNS you, my girlfriend and I get into a groove and then a puzzle or song or interactive that requires 0 logic makes your flow come to a sudden halt which we loved, almost every puzzle requires a use of logic and tactile ability. If you are an experienced group looking for a place to throw the common mold out go to escape the 80s if you are an inexperienced couple go to escape the 80, my girlfriend and I did it alone and loved it, I would refrain from doing it on the weekends if you do only want to have your group of 2-8, 12 people in the room to us would be hectic and not good AT ALL, on Monday- Thursday they close their booking 4 hours in advance, as a tip if you want to do a 8;30 game on a Monday I would buy the tickets right before it closes.
*If you are a non native english speaker, between the ages of 14-18, or are hard of hearing and/or have mass sensory input issues I would maybe refrain from this game, understanding language is crucial here via clue system and the room itself, the sensory input issue is because of LOUD music, poppy walls and a swirling room of the 80s
In all this close to 3000 word essay is a way to get you to come to the 1980s its a room for all ages and group sizes barring 12, the rooms are amazing, the puzzles are amazing, the location is the best it could be I would recommended everyone to come here and try the room!!
Carsen &Kent thank you so much they are AMAZING!
Escape the 1980s is a gem, my girlfriend and I did the room for my birthday on march 4th, going into the room we have done 20+ games and assumed from all the reviews the game would be easy but you get a couple cool incentives for it being your birthday. The staff is amazing Carsen and Kent our Game master and Video/tech master were amazing. Escape the 1980s is the only room we have ever done in which the GM and VM matter, the "puzzles" in 80s are not the typical find a lock, find said key to lock, find word that goes to next lock, the game is different in a way you cannot describe. Without giving much of a spoiler the room(s) and each puzzle riddle math equation in each make you feel extremely immersed, walking into a bright pink room with the tacky 80s painting and music of "video killed the radio star" was an enjoyment for being 22 and never being able to feel the 80s outside of my parents and TV I stopped for a second in awe of the room, they are all that well designed.
For puzzles the only grip is they are redundant but they aren't boring in anyway the games for lack of a better word OWNS you, my girlfriend and I get into a groove and then a puzzle or song or interactive that requires 0 logic makes your flow come to a sudden halt which we loved, almost every puzzle requires a use of logic and tactile ability. If you are an experienced group looking for a place to throw the common mold out go to escape the 80s if you are an inexperienced couple go to escape the 80, my girlfriend and I did it alone and loved it, I would refrain from doing it on the weekends if you do only want to have your group of 2-8, 12 people in the room to us would be hectic and not good AT ALL, on Monday- Thursday they close their booking 4 hours in advance, as a tip if you want to do a 8;30 game on a Monday I would buy the tickets right before it closes.
*If you are a non native english speaker, between the ages of 14-18, or are hard of hearing and/or have mass sensory input issues I would maybe refrain from this game, understanding language is crucial here via clue system and the room itself, the sensory input issue is because of LOUD music, poppy walls and a swirling room of the 80s
In all this close to 3000 word essay is a way to get you to come to the 1980s its a room for all ages and group sizes barring 12, the rooms are amazing, the puzzles are amazing, the location is the best it could be I would recommended everyone to come here and try the room!!
Carsen &Kent thank you so much they are AMAZING!
Written March 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon!
Thank you so much for this amazing review and for the depth of your description regarding the game! I will be sure to pass the word on to Carson and Kent!
Thanks for Playing!
Written May 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nurse4u78
Philadelphia, PA5 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
What a fantastic date night for a birthday celebration. Easy parking, great location to hit a bar and dinner after our escape. The other escapees we met were so much fun. Highly recommend. Btw...we beat the time. Nahnahnah
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel H
18 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We loved this escape room! Tons of fun detail, very well thought out, and a good balance between challenging but not absurdly random or difficult. We did it before dinner on a Saturday night and it was the prelude to a great evening. Would definitely recommend!
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leah H
1 contribution
Aug 2017 • Friends
My friend and I had an amazing time here. Super fun. You feel like a detective! Plus you get free beer cards to spend around the area!
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cookiefacesally
Philadelphia, PA5 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
A group of friends and I visited Escape the 80s.
We were met in the lobby by our gamemasters, Krystle and Ed. She gave us a great overview of the game and then took us into a hall to get an another overview of the rules before we headed in.
I won't give anything away, but as an 80s fanatic, the place is legit. I wonder where they got so many VCRs and so many awesome relics from over 30 years ago. I look forward to a reboot of the 80s or possibly a visit to the 90s!
We were met in the lobby by our gamemasters, Krystle and Ed. She gave us a great overview of the game and then took us into a hall to get an another overview of the rules before we headed in.
I won't give anything away, but as an 80s fanatic, the place is legit. I wonder where they got so many VCRs and so many awesome relics from over 30 years ago. I look forward to a reboot of the 80s or possibly a visit to the 90s!
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi looking for information has anyone ever booked the dine and play option ? Was that fun and how was the prices? We are looking for Bachelorette party ideas.
Written April 22, 2019
The Borse has many fast eating options. There are many pubs and restaurants within walking distance. We thoroughly enjoyed the escape room. You don’t really need to know a lot about the 80’s to enjoy this.
Written May 9, 2019
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