Oak Lawn Business Set To Open Chicagoland’s Largest Escape Room

OAK LAWN, IL — The Oak Lawn-based South Side Escape Rooms plans to open a third escape room in October. The murder mystery mansion-themed puzzle will have six rooms for patrons to explore. Owner Brandon Udischas says it will be the largest escape room in the Chicagoland area and will include three versions of the game so customers can return to play multiple times.

Udischas and wife, Allison, opened South Side Escape Rooms in August 2017 after playing more than 40 different escape rooms.

“Calling us enthusiasts may be a bit of an understatement,” Udischas said. “We found, after playing an escape room, we often discussed the things we wished could have been different or better. After only about the 12th room, we decided to start exploring the possibility of opening our own. Fortunately, I have an amazing wife, who is the most mechanically-minded person I have ever met, which gave us the real ability to take on the venture.”

He also credits an "amazing staff of Game Masters, who are just as passionate as we are about the idea and care just as deeply about each and every guest's experience.”

The first room is a 1972-themed puzzle called Cold War Crisis in which customers are prompted to figure out how to prevent nuclear missiles from launching within the hour.

“[It’s] very authentic, as we made sure all furniture and items are from 1972 or before,” Udischas said. “We were able to create the game so that no prior historical knowledge would be required.”

A second room followed in December of that year. The Cabin of Dr. Bishop room requires patrons to travel to the secluded research cabin of a missing theoretical physicist.

“We like to describe our experiences as the back half of your favorite action/adventure movie,” Udischas said. “We skipped the love scenes, character development and introductions. Instead, we drop you at the critical moment, where it’s up to you to save the day.”

Both games cost $32 per player or $200 for the entire room. Though the puzzles are available for groups or corporate events, Udischas says the venue has something for everyone.

“It’s not unusual for a night to include a 13-year-old birthday party, a retirement celebration, a group of twenty-somethings, a group of gamers, and a ladies’ night out,” he said. “Honestly and truly, everyone has a blast.”

South Side Escape Rooms is located at 4931 95th Street. Bookings can be made at southsideescaperooms.com or by calling 708-237-2321.