Nomad Escape
ENTRY
from £54
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Glasgow
What it’s like
Themed escape rooms in a Merchant Square basement, with an hour to crack puzzles before the clock beats you.
You've got sixty minutes, a locked room and a theme to pick from, The Jail, Deep Space Zero, The Conspiracy, Haunted Circus or Scare BnB. Some sessions bring in live actors to raise the stakes, which is either brilliant or properly unsettling depending on how your group takes to strangers appearing out of the dark. A few of the rooms do use darkness and scarier themes as part of the puzzle, so it's worth thinking about who's in your team before you pick a room, not after the door's locked.
There's no strict age limit, but under-14s need an adult in the room with them and a group can't be made up entirely of under-14s. If actors are involved that rule stretches to under-16s. It's not a toddler activity by any stretch, this is one for kids old enough to work a puzzle under a bit of pressure and not panic when the lights dip.
Prices run by headcount rather than per person for smaller groups, from £54 for two players up to £120 for six, with weekend slots that include an actor costing a bit more. Big groups of 13 or more get a flat £19 a head, which actually works out cheaper than most of the small-group rates. There's no food or drink allowed inside, and the venue's tucked in the basement of Merchant Square with no street-level door.
Turn up any later than ten minutes past your slot and you're marked a no-show with no refund, no exceptions. Reschedules are possible up to 24 hours before, except for Saturday bookings, which can't be moved at all. It's a faff if your plans change, so book a day you're fairly sure of.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Older kids and teens who can handle an hour of pressure and a bit of dark
- Booking
- Book online for up to 12 players
- Parking
- Paid car parks nearby: National Car Parks (behind Merchant Square and at 68 Montrose Street), Q-Park at 37 Albion Street
- Wheelchairs
- Not fully accessible. Staff-controlled lift to basement level available
- The entrance isn't at street level, you go in through Merchant Square itself, best via the Candleriggs and Bell Street corner
- You can add extra players after booking by phone or email, as long as the room's capacity allows
- Bring proper attention spans, not snacks, since food and drink aren't allowed inside
- Group bookings of 13 or more get a flat rate that works out cheaper per head than smaller teams
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's priced by group size rather than per head for smaller teams: £54 for two players up to £120 for six on standard slots. Weekend games with an actor cost a bit more, and if you've got 13 or more in your group it drops to a flat £19 a person.
How long does a game take?
Sixty minutes once you're in the room, so budget a bit more either side for the briefing and finding the door.
Do we need to book ahead?
Yes, booking is required and you'll need to check in at least 10 minutes before your slot.
What happens if we're late?
Arrive more than 10 minutes after your booked time and you're recorded as a no-show, no refund and no play. If you know you're running late, call ahead and staff will try to fit you in, but they can't promise it.
Can we reschedule if plans change?
You can reschedule up to 24 hours before your game, but Saturday bookings can't be moved at all.
Is it suitable for young kids?
There's no upper or lower age limit as such, but under-14s must have an adult playing with them and a group can't be entirely under-14. For games with an actor, that rises to under-16.
Is it scary or dark?
Some rooms do use darkness and lean into scarier themes, especially the ones with live actors. Worth calling ahead if you've got a nervous player in the group.
Is there parking nearby?
There's no on-site parking, but there are paid car parks close by including two National Car Parks near Merchant Square and a Q-Park on Albion Street. The nearest car park outside the low emission zone is at Collegelands on Duke Street, about a 10 minute walk.
Can we eat or drink inside?
Food or drink is allowed on the premises.
Is the venue accessible for wheelchairs or buggies?
It's not fully accessible. There's a staff-controlled lift down to the basement level, but it's best to call ahead with specific access needs.
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