A new attraction is hoping to add a different kind of thrill to Coney Island — one that doesn’t rely on roller coasters or summer crowds.
Coney Escape Room, a puzzle-based interactive entertainment venue, will celebrate its grand opening March 21 at 1205 Surf Ave. It will be the first escape room in southern Brooklyn, offering visitors an indoor activity designed to keep Coney Island lively beyond the traditional beach season.
In a statement, owner Anna Geller said the project aims to give locals and visitors something to do in the neighborhood year-round.
“Coney Island has always been about fun and imagination,” Geller said. “We wanted to create an experience where people can come together, solve puzzles and enjoy themselves — even when the rides aren’t running or the beach isn’t packed.”
Escape rooms challenge participants to solve clues and puzzles within a set time limit to “escape” a themed environment. At Coney Island Escape Room, groups of two to eight players will have 60 minutes to complete each adventure.
The venue will open with three original rooms inspired by eerie mysteries and local lore.
One scenario places players inside a haunted funeral parlor filled with unsettling clues and supernatural secrets. Another storyline begins with a startling discovery on the boardwalk that leads to an international conspiracy and a high-stakes interrogation room. A third adventure draws on pirate legends connected to New York’s coastline, inviting players to follow a trail of clues in search of long-lost treasure.
The pirate-themed game is loosely inspired by stories about the 17th-century privateer William Kidd, whose rumored hidden riches have long been part of maritime folklore along the Northeastern coast.
In addition to the escape rooms, the venue will include a live game-show style experience where participants compete in trivia and physical challenges, along with a gift shop and private party space designed for birthdays, team-building events and group outings.
The project was developed with the help of co-founder Misha Koplan, an animator and designer who has worked with major studios including Blue Sky Studios, Disney and Skydance. His film credits include animated features such as “Ice Age,” “Rio,” “Ferdinand” and “The Peanuts Movie.”
Geller said the name “Coney Escape Room” also reflects the playful spirit of the concept. The word “coney,” historically used for rabbits, evokes speed and agility—traits players will need to solve puzzles before the clock runs out.
Coney Escape Room will operate daily from noon to 9 p.m. after its grand opening on March 21.
