Hobart’s hottest entertainment event of the summer? A pirate-themed escape room

For years these three friends have dreamt of launching their own escape room. It’s now become reality with a limited-time pop-up in a historic Hobart site.

James Williams – Engineer, Mick Santarossa – Navigator and Jay McGlashan – Purser from Escape Room. Picture: Caroline Tan

You are a pirate trapped aboard a sinking ship and the only way out is through a series of complex puzzles.

You must remain calm and work together to save yourself before the ship is fully submerged. You have only one hour.

It may be the stuff of nightmares for some but for these three friends, this pirate-themed escape room is a labour of love.

Ex seafarers Jay McGlashan, Jim Williams and Mick Santarossa begun welcoming brave puzzle-masters to the old Town Hall jail cells last week.

Jay McGlashan - Purser, Mick Santarossa - Navigator and James Williams - Engineer from Escape Room. Picture: Caroline Tan

So far, Hobart’s newest escape room has attracted everyone from families, couples, to Mr Williams’ mother.

“It got quite heated,” he joked.

The trio were introduced to the interactive adventure games at Moonah’s Evolo Room Escape three years ago.

“After we went away to Sydney and did seven escape rooms in a weekend and we thought we could do something like this,” Mr McGlashan said.

“We just had so much fun.”

They said they had worked hard to “tune the room to perfection”.

“60 minutes is the maximum time for it, but we had a family last who were by far the best team who did it in 37 minutes,” he said.

“But a lot of people have done it in 57 minutes, which is when we know we’ve got the course spot on.”

James Williams - Engineer, Mick Santarossa - Navigator and Jay McGlashan - Purser from Escape Room. Picture: Caroline Tan

And their best tips for escape room success?

“We encourage people to not take their phones in because it’s easier to immerse yourself,” he said.

“There may be tension at the start, but once they get going they’re really happy.

“We do try to give them a little bit of direction, but we want them to see everything. We want them to have fun.”

Bookings for the Mariner’s Dread Escape Room are available online at discovertasmania.com.au

Originally published as Hobart’s hottest entertainment event of the summer? A pirate-themed escape room