f you’re still scrambling for a Valentine’s Day plan, there’s one that goes beyond crowded restaurants and predictable date-night rituals. Across cities, escape rooms are emerging as an unconventional yet meaningful way to celebrate love, offering something far more immersive than a typical date night: teamwork, adrenaline and a shared sense of achievement.
A date that demands teamwork
Unlike passive celebrations, escape rooms require couples to actively participate, and collaborate.
Aashish Yadav, founder of Rare Escapes and Laser Battle Arena, Mumbai, says, “It’s not passive like dinner or a movie. You’re experiencing something together. There’s adrenaline, mystery, and time pressure; it naturally creates excitement and memories,” adding, “Escape rooms force communication. You see how your partner thinks, reacts under pressure, leads, and supports. It builds trust and coordination in a very real way.”
Many escape rooms are also tailoring experiences specifically for Valentine’s Day, adding personalised elements to heighten the emotional quotient.
Akash Pathak, Communications Head at Paheli, Pune, says, “We customise puzzles to add a surprise element for couples based on their name, the date they met, or even a proposal. Nothing beats an experience that’s thoughtfully crafted.”
Bhumika Aditya, center manager adds, “When couples solve puzzles, they communicate, listen, trust instincts, and divide responsibilities. It naturally builds teamwork and highlights strengths. The shared adrenaline rush when you crack a clue creates instant chemistry and lasting memories.”
A surge in love (and Bookings)
The appeal is clearly translating into demand. Operators report a noticeable spike in couple bookings in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Aashish says, “That’s because many prefer experiences over traditional gifts now. In an escape room, you create the story together. Every couple finishes with inside jokes and shared victories; that emotional memory lasts longer.”
For couples seeking something that goes beyond candlelight and conversation, it seems the ultimate Valentine’s takeaway might just be this: the couple that puzzles together, stays together.
