Stratton Escape Room - "The Pinehurst"

Updated: Apr 7

LOCATION:  Stratton, Vermont, USA

Photo above are property of Stratton Escape Room

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Pinehurst
📅 DATE PLAYED: November 28, 2021
🎬 GENRE: Mystery
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 PPL
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins
💰 PRICE: $30/PP
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Smokie’s bar, "The Pinehurst", is an ode to his favorite beer - "Schlitz"! Amongst all of his paraphernalia, his most prized possession is the first can of beer he ever had... a "Schlitz" he stole from his Dad, which started his lifelong obsession. Yet, tonight it has mysteriously disappeared! Smokie has shut the bar down until it can be recovered, and you are determined to find it. I mean, your favorite bar can’t shut down?!

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

We were not quite old enough to be hitting the bars in 1989, but we can imagine that this is just what your local dive might have looked like (if the owner was obsessed with "Schlitz"). We’re glad to no longer have cigarettes in the bars around here, but the copious matches, cigarettes, and cigarette machine definitely set the scene well. The various (we assume) authentic "Schlitz" memorabilia really helped to sell the story. The theme is integrated throughout the set. There’s also music from the jukebox that really brought us back, and many of the puzzles are also very thematic.
The game starts in the restocking area, as you try to figure out the alarm code to get into the bar itself. They set this up nicely to introduce you to some ideas that will carry on throughout the rest of the experience.
While there is some gating, much of the gameplay is non-linear. There was certainly a strong searching and observation component, with some rewarding connections to be made. Logic and physical manipulations are also key. It culminates in a nice meta-puzzle that draws on things from throughout the game.
We’re suckers for tactile and physical manipulations and reveals, and "The Pinehurst" definitely delivered some fun ones.
Before you begin, you get to pick the song that will play if you succeed. Hearing our selection (the 80’s classic “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc) come on was an awesome way to signal victory, kick off our own little celebratory dance party, and finish the game!

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

We loved the silly, unique backstory to the room, but there is room for some narrative progression (who stole the "Schlitz" and why?!) and clarification of why you start by needing to figure out the alarm code. There could also be fun ways to incorporate the hint system into the story itself.
There was one puzzle we got hung up on where we think the clue itself could be a bit more clear, but it also required us to do something that it felt like there were other indications that it would be a bad idea (we might break it). Talking to the owner afterwards, we understand why it was how it was, but we think there are options to smooth out the experience with this particular puzzle.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

If you’re out this way, "The Pinehurst" is well worth a visit, whether you are with family, friends, or other enthusiasts! Aside from some of the 80’s bar theme decor, we would consider this a family-friendly room (maybe ages 10+?), and you could bring inexperienced players to this one as well. We really appreciated the charm and playfulness of the game, the love the owners clearly put into it, the tactile interactions, and the feeling that we had really been dropped back into the 80’s. And, seriously, who doesn’t love being rewarded with their own personal dance party?! (Oh - they also gave us a teaser about the theme of their next room, and WE CAN’T WAIT! Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming announcements...)

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free parking is available right behind the building (next to the main entrance).

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

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Disclosure: We thank Stratton Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.