Visitors to the Amazing Escape Room in Freehold Borough will be challenged to find their way out of themed rooms — such as the Black and White Room — by solving clues and unlocking the secrets of the chamber. PETER ELACQUA/STAFF A new form of entertainment has arrived in New Jersey in the form of the Amazing Escape Room at 77. W. Main St., Freehold Borough.
At the converted home, between two and eight people enter an escape room and are locked in. They have one hour to find clues and solve riddles that will allow them to exit the room. Their progress is monitored by a game master.
Amazing Escape Room owner Howard Klotzin said the escape room business began in Europe. Escape rooms have been featured on “The Bachelorette,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Conan.”
The Amazing Escape Room is housed on three floors of a West Main Street home. There is a reception area and one escape room on the ground floor, two escape rooms on the second floor and two escape rooms on the third floor.
Klotzin said he went to an escape room with his brother six months ago.
“I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did,” he said. “It is another form of entertainment and it is thought provoking.”
Each escape room has a different theme and difficulty level. The room that is recommended for beginners is the Hemmingway room on the first floor.
The second floor has the Hangover Room and the Secret Agent Room.
The third floor has the Black and White Room and the Samurai Room, which is still being developed.
According to Assistant Manager Derek Martin, the Black and White Room has been the most challenging room for patrons to date.
“When I first came here I didn’t know what to expect,” said Martin, who is a former patron of the Amazing Escape Room. “I have played the apps and had heard about (escape rooms), but when I came here I was thoroughly surprised and I loved every moment of it.” Martin said some people have returned to the Amazing Escape Room several times and have tried all four rooms that are currently available.
“Sometimes they don’t always get it the first time, so that’s what makes them want to come back, the challenge,” he said. “It’s a fun thing to do as a date night, a family outing, a corporate event or even team building. It’s something new and interesting to do.”
Martin said the current record to figure out a way to leave a room is 45 minutes and the average time to figure out a way to leave a room is between 55 and 60 minutes.
Patrons can book a visit to the Amazing Escape Room online for $28 per person. For a limited time, an online code offers 10 percent off a group’s next booking. One group can buy all eight tickets for one session, however, if multiple groups book the same time and the total number of people is eight or less, they will go into the room together. For more information about the business, call 908-265-8307 or visit the website at www.amazingescaperoom.com