Overview
You won't struggle to find a high-pressure escape room in Melbourne. But have you experienced one designed to explore dating compatibility? Held on the first Tuesday of every month at Escape This, the crew have teamed up with renowned sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein to create a Singles Night social experiment that uncovers red flags and good vibes before the relationship gets serious.
With the classic escape room format ramping up the pressure, singles will enter the space with a stranger and work together to crack the problem within 30 minutes. As the clock tick, tick, ticks, there's a greater chance that someone's true nature will be revealed. Perhaps someone is a poor communicator, or they hit the mark with accountability — either way, this experience is intended to offer a little more insight than your average first date.
"Pressure reveals character," says Dr Nikki Goldstein. "We all put on our best face for a first date, but that doesn't help you predict what someone's like in a relationship. The moment something goes wrong in an escape room, people show how they deal with conflict, how they communicate, how they lead, or bulldoze."
Kicking off at Escape This locations in Sydney and Perth, participants will put their connection to the test through two blind dates, with each session lasting 30 minutes. However, the partner you head into the custom-designed environment with isn't quite as random as it seems. Before the night arrives, guests complete personality quizzes that align them with one of seven relationship problem-solving styles.
You could be 'The Leader' — someone who's direct, decisive and solutions-focused. Or maybe you're 'The Energiser' — a keen motivator who likes to keep the mood high. Of course, these nights aren't just for singles; couples are more than welcome to get involved, too. Putting your existing dynamic under interactive pressure, there's a separate compatibility quiz to help you get to know each other's blind spots.
Says Goldstein: "There are often red flags that don't appear until years into a relationship, but Singles Night is about fast-tracking that insight. And let's not forget the green flags, like calmness under pressure, empathy and humour. Escape This creates the perfect chemistry lab for love."
Singles Night at Escape This is happening on the first Tuesday of the month at Sydney and Perth locations. Head to the website for more information.