CTRL ALT ESC: Quick-E-Mart

By | June 26, 2021

by CTRL ALT ESC (website)

202 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2QU

Margate

2-8 players

Languages: EN

90 mins

Race through the aisles in this high-energy, shopping-themed escape room! Solve clever puzzles, find all the items on your list, and beat the clock. With twists and surprises at every corner, can your team shop smart and escape in time?

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Overall rating

Rated between 3 and 4.5 out of 5

based on ratings from 20 users
combined with 2 pro reviews

Your review

Player reviews

Anonymous expert rated this:Rated between 2.5 and 2.5 out of 5
d.green26 expert rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 29 Jun 2024 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalstory-driven
DypanicDuo experienced rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Team size: 3 Outcome: Successful escape!
flyingoctopus expert rated this:Rated between 2.5 and 2.5 out of 5
Spanishfleas expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 24 Aug 2023 Team size: 4 Time taken: 46
funnyfamily friendly

It’s a very difficult game to rate, as it is very different to other experiences we have played. It definitely has the fun and feel good factor. Everything seems to be themed very well and great attention to detail. I agree that some of the props are tired but that didn’t let the experience down for us. I guess, we all agreed the set would have been better bigger. But did well with the space given. I think any age and experience level will love this game, maybe not for those looking for a tough challenge. 

Jen Wells (Get Wells Soon) expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 1 Jun 2023 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnyintense

Absolutely hilarious! A fast-paced trolley dash that we found ourselves tearing around. While light on the puzzles, the enjoyment factor was through the roof. Definitely not a traditional escape room - so something to be aware of for those looking for a puzzle-fest - but a brilliant time nonetheless.

StaceyF expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 25 Jun 2022 Team size: 3 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunny
Anonymous expert rated this:Rated between 2 and 2 out of 5
Team size: 5 Outcome: Successful escape!
intensetired

On paper, this sounds an amazing game, it sounds very Supermarket Sweep.
The reality is a game that on the day of launch would have looked great, now there are broken, fixed-to-shelves props and some running about which should be fun, but somehow misses the mark.
The finale was odd, it was a game of Bop-it where you get chained together. Not sure how or why that works with the "story" to this game, and we had really had enough after 1 round, let alone 4-5. 

Matt C experienced rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 29/07/2022 Team size: 3 Time taken: 76 mins Outcome: Successful escape!
🦡cipherdelic virtuoso rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: Nov 22
funny

Immensely funny and frenetic, with more than its fair share of cheesy puns! Great game for families as theres lots to interact with. Love the Dale Winton-esque host too!

Kelly Archer expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Team size: 4
funnyimmersivegreat hosting

Such a fun game to play. The host was brilliant, with a snazzy gameshow jacket and giving it a full performance. The game is basically supermarket sweep, with lots of added things to find, great puns and silly fun. It could maybe do with a bit of a spruce up but that did not stop us enjoying it. A riot.

🔐James Bloodworth expert rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 19/11/2022 Team size: 5 Outcome: Successful escape!
funnyclevergreat hosting

Maybe not quite your typical escape game, you don't have to escape as such, but you do have a lot of riddles and conundrums to solve to maximise your score!

Adam Bravery expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 26 Sep 2022 Team size: 4 Time taken: £4206 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnyfamily friendly
This was just pure fun! So many stupid puns and silly puzzles that had us laughing the whole time. Enjoyed the injected moments of tension and clue system was cool. Set was feeling a bit tired and could do with a bit of refreshing, but puzzles were very inventive and clever. Highly recommended! 
PurpleB expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 16 Aug 2022 Team size: 2
originalfunnyfamily friendly

Completely different to your usual escape room but lots of fun.

imrahil experienced rated this:Rated between 5 and 5 out of 5
Team size: 2 Time taken: N/A Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnygreat hostingquite easy

Odd game to give 5 stars to but just cannot argue with howuch fun we had in the "room". 

This day we did 6 rooms in Margate and this was someuch needed light relief, and so much fun. 

FranklyOscar experienced rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
funnyfamily friendlyquite easy
markb experienced rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 17 Apr 2022 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunny

Not your average game at all, reminded me more of a treasure hunt with a twist, but, a couple of clever a puzzle nevertheless to give that ah yes moment of satisfaction. Was still a lot of fun to play.

Simon (The Overthinkers) expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 18 Dec 2021 Team size: 2 Time taken: 60:37 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalgreat hosting
Robin Harris & Michael Bailey experienced rated this:Rated between 3 and 3 out of 5
Played: 2 Jan 2022 Team size: 2 Time taken: 65 minutes Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunnyfamily friendly

Not your typical escape room but good fun. Elements of the room could do with improvement as lots of exposed wiring etc and many areas are already showing signs of wear despite it being a fairly new room which let things down a bit.

Sabrina (The Overthinkers) expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 18 Dec 2021 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalfunny

Not your traditional escape room, but really great fun and a fabulous host. Some very entertaining euphemisms in that game. As one didn't immediately click with me, I dread to think how much the host must have been laughing. 

For those who have played it: I was standing by the vegetables and said to my partner something along the lines of 'I don't know how to xxx, you're much better at xxx, why don't you xxx'

Reviews by escape room review sites

We enjoyed our time in the Quick-E-Mart, but it just felt a bit short. We were an experienced team, but for a 90 minute game, we didn’t expect to get out in less than 40 minutes. The experience was fun, just a little too short lived and left us wanting a few extra puzzles to bulk it out.

When all was said and done, this was certainly one of the most fun and innovate rooms I’ve ever played. From the over the top retro theming, the cleverly inserted puzzles, the cracking clue system and the all round fun and entertainment value, this is certainly not one to miss. Brilliantly hosted, all in character, superb setting, and something very different from what you’d expect to see in many escape rooms.

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