Trapt: Prohibition [Review]

Location: Trapt, Melbourne CBD, VIC, Australia

Date completed: June 2017 (3 players). Succeeded escaping!

Creativity: 6; Difficulty: 4.5; Atmosphere: 6.5; Fun: 8.

Requirements:

• Intermediate English
• 45 minute room

Some weeks ago, Trapt Bar & Escape Rooms retired their beginner level room Prison Break and added a new entry-level challenge to its patrons. Who would expect that the chosen theme for the new room would be Prohibition? In a bar?

Trapspringer and I joined another friend to give this new room a go, and we were not disappointed. It is simple, but well done. A very good room to bring friends who are new to the hobby, or to warm up the brains of a group willing to attempt harder rooms later!

Prohibition, in the United States, was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transport, and sale of alcoholic beverages that remained in place from 1920 to 1933. During the 19th century, alcoholism, domestic violence, and saloon-related corruption prompted the suspension of the alcohol trade as a way to “cure the ills of society”. In the meantime, organized crime took control of the liquor supply for many cities, creating a complex underground bootlegging system.

In the new Trapt game, you work for a bootlegging company called Moonshine. All is going well in your speakeasy joint until someone gives your name to the police! Who was the traitor? You have one hour to find who betrayed you and a smuggling route from the coppers, maybe with a chance to save some of your (illegal) business.

The barrels are not inside the escape room (they have to be hidden fromt the police!)

Although this escape room was built in the same space previously occupied by Prison Break, it looks completely different. The setting is much more refined and well finished, and there is more variety to the puzzles. I really liked the look of the room, even though most of the furniture and props are in tones of brown, black or beige (with an eventual red detail). It does have the feel of a hidden place and reminded me of vintage saloons and cellars.

Most challenges in Prohibition require association and observation, with some physical interaction and a layered final puzzle. It is pleasant to see an easy-level game that offers a bit more than just the “open the lock, go for the next one” routine. The room is definitely not hard but the 45 minute time limit keeps teams moving! We escaped in 25 minutes and enjoyed it – it was our first escape in a long day ER marathon, and the brains got the right amount of stimulus! (Pa hadn’t even had coffee yet. We were living dangerously! – Trapspringer)

Trapt, as we mentioned in other reviews, is also a pub. We did not have any alcohol as it was way too early in the morning, but it seems a nice option for a happy hour with friends – those you don’t mind being locked with for one hour!

Out of the room

Service: The staff was super nice, efficient, and briefing was straightforward and professional. They made us comfortable in the large waiting area before the game.

There are lockers for personal belongings. They can also prepare a drink afterwards (or before…).

Communication: A walkie-talkie radio is provided to facilitate communications with the staff.

Surroundings: Trapt is located in the Melbourne CBD. It is easily accessible by tram and within walking distance of the major train stations there. It is also very easy to find good food around the area.

In Trapt we also played Madhouse, located in Point Cook and done in partnership with a ghost tour, Espionage and the now retired Wonderland, Biohazard and Prison Break.