The Escapologist continues to deliver immersive escape room experience across Yorkshire

Escape room and bar chain The Escapologist is celebrating ongoing success and continued growth in the Yorkshire region, following the recent re-launch of its cocktail bar at its White Rose venue in Leeds.

Established in 2017 by husband and wife Ellie and Olly McClaren, the unique business model that offers a blend of immersive escape rooms and atmospheric cocktail bars has experienced a 161% increase in revenue over the last 12 months, whilst doubling its number of escape rooms. The fast-growing business expects to see a further 160% increase in revenue month on month throughout 2025.

With 16 expertly themed escape rooms across its three venues located in Leeds, Castleford and Gateshead, The Escapologist provides something for everyone – from families seeking a memorable day out to friends looking for a night of exciting entertainment. Party packages are also on offer, catering for birthdays, corporate events, stag and hen parties, schools, brownies and scouts, as well as Mixology classes for guests looking to shake things up during their visit.

Each venue boasts a steampunk inspired café and cocktail bar to complement the escape experience, with a range of gourmet teas and coffees, the finest wines and spirits, and a selection of hand-crafted smoking cocktails and mocktails on offer.

Ellie McClaren, co-founder and chief executive officer at The Escapologist, said: “We created The Escapologist to deliver a world-class, immersive and memorable experience for our customers and to allow them to escape the everyday to the extraordinary.

“Our escape rooms invite visitors to step into new worlds and challenge their wits, with each room having its own captivating narrative, allowing guests to dive into a world of wonder and excitement.

“We’re so proud of everything we’ve achieved over the last 8 years and the last 12 months specifically – and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for us a business!”

In 2024, Ellie was named Businesswoman of the Year in the West Yorkshire Regional Awards as a result of her dedication to transforming the experiential entertainment industry. Earlier this year, Olly was nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Yorkshire Choice Awards, proving the passion and devotion that have gone into shaping The Escapologist.

The couple are not only committed to creating unforgettable experiences for customers but also building a positive and innovative environment for the team, and have exciting plans in place for 2025 – including the expansion and development of existing sites and the opening of a brand-new site in Q4.