Prison break, can you make it out? #invite

It’s been a while since I have done an escape room and boy, was this one from the amazing people at Fox in a Box did not disappoint.

Fox in a Box, a newbie to the world of escape room, started in Dalston east London, earlier this year with franchise all over the world so if you see him popping up everywhere, then he isn’t following you 😉.

They currently have three rooms in Dalston, Prison Break, Zombie killer and Bunker.

I was kindly invited to play their Prison Break room with a group of Love Pop Ups London to beat the clock and try and escape before the guard returns to resolve the riots, and to ensure our life sentences was served.

The story of the game is that you have committed a crime and you have been sentenced to life in prison and the only way out is for you to escape!

As we were a group of ten, we played the prison break head to head where we were not only against clock, but to escape before the other team, a great way if you have a big group to and try not to end up on the wall of shame….

The room was well designed, with all the tools you need to work together to break yourselves free, strong communication and team working is a must!

There was kryptic clues, locks, and map work and physical task to really test out all your clue solving skills. So lots of things for everyone to get involved in.

Our team managed to escape with only two clues and 39:35 on the clock just beating our other team by nearly 15 minutes and avoided being posted up on the wall of shame! Well done team.

A great game and definitely recommend this, thanks to our games master Shola, you were great!

I have heard that that for the horror fanatics they have the zombie game which has made grown men cry….. Are you brave enough to try their rooms??

Ready to face Dracula?- London Escaped newest vampire room

As a fan of escape rooms I can say that I had my fair share of escape rooms, and when I heard that London Escaped has some new rooms, I wasn’t going to say no to an invitation to try it out.

I visited with some of the community members from LovePopUpsLondon, thanks Jo for the invite.

On arrival we was told that this was one of their hardest rooms , which immediately got us all excited. I mean come on challenge accepted!

I must say that the room compared to what the pictures on the website is a little different from what’s advertised, for me it look a little unfinished. However I can see how they have put a lot of thought into the asthetic of the room to match the theme.

I felt that the room has a lot of interesting puzzles to solve but I personally felt that if you need a crib sheet to guide you along, then maybe the clues doesn’t flow as it should do?

I have to admit that there was times when me and the group felt a little lost and we had to ask for some clues as some of the task as a little impractical if I may say so myself.

We had a few team players who has never played an escape room before and they too felt a little lost.

I mean we nearly didn’t make it out of the room as we were expecting doors to automatically open as the clue seems to suggest it.. however, we did it in the nick of time.

I think the room isn’t hard as such if the room flows a little better. I wouldn’t suggest this to someone who has never tried an escape room before as it might make you feel a little disheartening.

Still a decent room from London Escaped and I know they have also added a few more rooms so I am sure there sure will be one which suits you!.

A walk down the history of London- The London Dungeon [Invite]

I think the last time I visited the London dungeon must of been when I was a teenager visiting with my school, so when I was asked if I wanted to go back and visit with a bunch of community members from LovePopUpsLondon I thought why not!

The London dungeon is a 90 minutes immersive experience with actors guiding you down the dark memories of the history of London.

You will be taken through time, where you will experience London in the plague, encounter with Jack the Ripper.

A visit down fleet Street to meet the one and only Sweeny Todd, of course don’t sit in his barber chair whatever you do!

Oh and if you meet Guy Fawkes on your way, don’t say a word, whatever they do to you…

The experience also comes with two ride experience a boat trip and 30ft drop experience (not for those who are pregnant or with heart condition, and those over 1’40m) unfortunately on the day we visited the boat ride was not open hence our overall experience only lasted 75 mins in total.

The experience is suitable for all ages as while it may be gruesome in places there are comedy which the team enact really well.

For me though I felt that after the many years since I have visited, there hasn’t been any updates on the stories (be it at the courthouse, the crimes seems not to have changed after all these many years)

One of the things I have noticed is that the groups are too large (groups are around 45) in numbers for everyone to really be able to see and enjoy themselves, at only 5’1 I am still barely taller than a teenager and when we are out in a small room, there was no way I could see what was happening.

There was also one room which had seating for 9 people in a group of 45? Seems a tad unreasonable for me.

I think the experience would of definitely benefited from a much smaller group of maybe 25 per group, this give people enough space to move around and no one is stepping over each other.

Also, the London dungeon is all part of the Merlin Group entertainment so would recommend that if you are a visitor to London to consider booking a combined ticket with another attractions to make the cost of the visit much more cost effective.

Also do book online as walk in tickets are much more expensive tickets online are 20% cheaper at £24 per adult and £30 at the door. The combination tickets online cost £40 for two attractions, much better value than just paying on the day. Book tickets HERE

So friends visiting from other countries always ask if it’s worth visiting, for me I wouldn’t think it’s a must do attractions, however if the size of the group are smaller and you get an more intimate experience and combine it with another attractions then sure go for it!

I still enjoyed my time and reliving my childhood memories, but I don’t think I would be back anytime soon. Thank you again for inviting me along.

Hypersomnia want you to be a better you- do you? [Invite]

Today I was invited with the @Lovepopupslondon community members to @Modernfables
new location to try out their current escape room #hypersomina.

The room is based on the many dimensions you and your body occupies, but which one is your reality and can you get back?

Do you still get flashback of your dreams your memories or are you slowly losing them.

Your challenge is to try to find your lost memories by retracing your steps, and working together to solve the various different clues in front of you.

As with all escape rooms I can’t tell you what goes on in there or clues on how you solve them.

However with 7 of us in there I felt that there was definitely enough things for people to do, everyone was able to take a task and use it as a group. I really enjoyed the teamwork element this room echoes.

The room itself may look linear but it’s not, there are steps but you don’t need to do them on order hence everyone can do a different part.

What I enjoyed most I think are the different props around, while some rooms are heavy on technology, this is more theme on the props and the story telling which makes the whole thing make more sense.

I also enjoyed the way the hints were delivered, really fits into the design of the room.

Our skilled games master

I have experience some rooms where you need to do or achieve something but makes no sense in the game which can only lead to confusion.

Of course each room has their red herring and I am sure we too were lead down the wrong path..but isn’t that part of the game?

I really enjoyed this game and would totally recommend this for a team building event with friend or work.

Also super excited we escaped in 52 minutes woohoo.

I hear Modern Fables are putting on a new game soon so watch this space.

I solid 4 out of 5 stars from me.

South American meets European cuisine – Tupi London [INVITE]

It’s been a while since I did a food post here and this little restaurant just outside Elephant and Castle train station is something I’m truly impressed by.

I was kindly invited here with a few blogger friends from @LovePopUpsLondon to try out their amazing Europe meets South American cuisines. Let’s just say it did not disappoint.

@TupiLondon has a couple of locations one in Peckham Rye and the other is Elephant and Castle.

The decor of the place is simple but am super obsessed with the tropical ascent wall..great for that Instagram post I tell you.

First let’s start off some amazing cocktails, of course smoothie and juices are also available for those non drinkers, so fear not, no one is left out.

Espresso Martini and Very Berry Smoothie

The guilty line up

Next for the starters, we chose from a healthy selection available of meat, seafood and veggie options..

Spicy Prawns and Scampi in a tomato and white wine sauce

Little birds- fried chicken thighs with romesco sauce

Squid with lime mayo

Grilled chorizo with a chimichuri sauce

The starters were amazing and the spicy prawns dish was huge.. could definitely have had that as a light main dish

Once our stomachs were lines with drinks and starters we was ready for the mains, I chose the Muqueca which is a Brazilian seafood stew, and it was delicious, the stew was filled with prawns, mussels, scampi and fish, in a tomato and coconut and lime sauce with a hint of chillies to give it a slight kick

We also tried the Arroz Verde, which was a risotto dish with peas and asparagus, a very fresh and light alternative to the usually very rich and heavy risotto dish..it was served with a soft boiled egg that oozes.. a definite favourite!

Then we tried the spicy seafood linguine and the halloumi burger with an order of fries.

The portions are great for the value and the flavours delicious, would definitely come back if I’m in the area, causal location for friends or families.

Sides- grilled halloumi and broccoli dukkah

Thanks again for the invite to try out some great south America dishes.

Ball pit party? Yes please Two Ruba [INVITE]

It’s never ever a bad idea to bring a whole brunch of friends to a bar in London bridge with drinks on flow and access to a 20 man/ woman (let’s make sure we include everyone here) ball pit with over 20,000 balls… hallelujah!

So when Love Pop Ups London invited me with a brunch of the members from the community to a ball pit party I couldn’t really say no! I mean they didn’t even have to say flamingos and I was already ready to jump in.

So, bar Two Ruba is located inside the Hilton hotel with great views of the Thames…I mean what better way to enjoy London?

So while they have great cocktails with the most comfiest sofas to relax on, if you are looking for a place to arrange a group party, Two Ruba is happy to cater for all and if drinking is so last season then how about your own reservation at their private ball pit.

The ball pit is open to both adults and children however each reservation is private hire only, for more info click here

Did you know that Two Ruba, also have a ripple cocktail machine, what is that you might ask? Well it’s a selection of foam cocktails which they can help you impressed your special guest with a picture of their or yours face on the cocktail..now how’s that for impressive?

The venue can cater for small groups or your annual Christmas party..sorry ..I know it’s early but you gotta start planning if you want the best venue around!

With the private hire you can hire the bar and the ball pit together or separately, they also have a great selection of canapes to keep the hunger at bay..some of the canapes available include.

Crab on tortilla chips

Arancini

Chicken sliders

Jackfruit sliders (veggie)

Italian anti pasti board

Vegetarian board, with hummus and olives

Lemon cheesecake

Fruit skewers

For group bookings each canapes are charged per person, they can cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements, they do ask you to let them know at least 48 hours before your booking to ensure they can make the necessary arrangements.

So whatever you are looking for I think Two Ruba can sure keep you and your party smiling all night long!

It was a great night with friends new and old, thanks again to Love Pop Ups London and Two Ruba for the invite, I can safely say that myself and our community really enjoyed our night out and we are definitely planning on our next visit!

(Invite) Let’s paint! -The Paint Republic

Last night I was kindly invited by @LovePopUpsLondon for a night of art, burgers, laughter and drinks!

The event was one of The Paint Republic’s painting evening where you are guided by a qualified artist to paint your very own masterpiece.

Our goal tonight was a beautiful painting of two #flamingos and to be totally honest, as a non painter with no painting experience I was a little nervous about the whole evening and thought I wouldn’t be able to create the piece of work I proudly took home with. Scroll to the end for pictures.

How surprise I was to find out that, I too can paint! Yippee…

The event was hosted at the Stane Street Syndicate in Clapham and we was kindly treated to an evening of burgers from #Rubyjeansburger. Their burger menu isn’t the biggest but their combination was sure enough to tempt even the most picky eater.

I chose the Sloppy Jalopy, which was a beef patty, with hashbrown, jalapeno, cheese on a brioche bun…super yummy, we was also serves the biggest plate of sweet potato fries…I must also add, as a big group of 20 hungry punters, the kitchen staff did really well to make sure all the burgers arrived together and also catered for one special order of gluten free buns.

So with a belly happily satisfied, we moved on to the main event…let’s paint!

While we was busy filling our bellies our teacher Becky was busy setting up our tools and paints to get us started.

Each one of us, had a canvas on a stand, paint brush, water and a toothbrush (I’ll get to this later!) with a mixing palette together with some paint ready to get us started. There was also a flamingo painting she had prepared earlier as a guide for us.

Becky, gave us a quick tutorial of the paintbrushes we had and a quick reminder of our primary colours…no prizes for what the three colours are…

Becky also explained, the steps to creating our masterpiece, she was patience and walked around the room to make sure we all got the steps … however the main thing Becky told us was to have fun with 90’s music playing, and this was one art class where drinking is encouraged! Well if it didn’t go well then we all know who to blame.

My masterpiece

The session was for two hours, due to the drinking elements…(apologies) but it’s 18+ only and cost £25.00 which also includes the painting for you to take home with you. Click here to see booking options, they also have venues in London, Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Shropshire and North Wales, so hopefully there is a location near you.

Class sizes are up to 20 people so if you are looking for a special event, birthdays or a team building function then this is an amazing opportunity. Sign up to their website as they usually have special and last minute offers available.

A really great night out and am looking forward to going back to practice my new developed skills.

Our Love Pop Ups London painting crew 📸 #proud

Thanks again to Love Pop Ups London and The Paint Republic for an amazing painting evening.