There’s always one person who takes charge of the Christmas get-together. They organise the group chat, chase everyone’s availability and somehow end up choosing the venue too. This year, perhaps give them a different challenge: getting everyone out of an escape room before the clock runs down.
With two Cardiff city centre venues, independent, female-founded Exitus has plenty to tempt anyone planning a festive outing with a little more adventure. Whether you’re gathering colleagues, catching up with friends or organising something for the family over the holidays, there’s an opportunity to swap everyday distractions for puzzles, teamwork and a shared mission.
And yes, there’s somewhere to enjoy a drink afterwards.
Established in 2018, Exitus Escape Rooms on Queen Street combines themed challenges with its own bar, The Locked Inn. That means the post-game conversation can continue on site, giving everyone time to explain which clue they cracked — and gently dispute who deserves the credit.
The appeal of an escape room is that everyone brings something different. One person spots patterns, another notices the tiny detail everyone else has missed, while someone inevitably becomes convinced that an entirely ordinary object holds the answer.
At Queen Street, the choice includes The Curse of Senutep, Coco Loco, There’s Something Outside and The Great Escape. Group sizes and game lengths vary, so check your chosen adventure before booking: several games run for 60 minutes, while The Great Escape is listed as a 90-minute experience.
For Christmas gatherings, Exitus says it has created three packages which can be tailored to suit different groups. That makes it an option for organisers trying to bring together enthusiastic puzzle solvers and people who mainly want a sociable afternoon or evening out.
You can explore the rooms and book through the Exitus Escape Rooms website HERE, or contact the team about this year’s Christmas party packages.
Across the city centre, Exitus Origins offers a different kind of adventure.
Here, the experience is built around one continuous story, with scenery, sound and cast drawing visitors into a fantasy world inspired by Welsh folklore. You arrive as a recruit joining Aether, a group with a rather urgent job for its newest members.
The mission? Recover a submarine held by the enemy organisation Atlas.
It’s a suitably intriguing starting point for an outing that asks you to become part of the action. The submarine, Kida, belongs to a much larger story involving ancient powers, missing guardians and a struggle over forces that could change the world.
Origins’ official briefing lists a 60-minute experience for two to six recruits, aged 16 and over, at 6–7 St John Street, Cardiff. Anyone with access requirements should contact the venue before arriving to discuss what they need.
Behind both venues are co-owners Mandy Hale and Ceri Steed, who take their ideas from storyboard through design to the physical build themselves. According to the team, every room is their own creation, built without outside builders.
For anyone keen to support an independent Cardiff business while getting everyone together this Christmas, that adds another reason to investigate.
Queen Street visitors should also note that the venue is upstairs without a lift; discuss access and room suitability before booking.
For current prices and Christmas package enquiries, call 029 2240 6151 or email bookings@exitusescaperooms.co.uk. Follow @exitusescaperoomsuk and @exitusorigins for updates.
Now, who in your Christmas group would you trust with the submarine?
