Have you ever dreamed of solving a paranormal mystery? How ‘bout cracking a code to save the human race? Do you enjoy roleplaying? Do you ever feel like you just want to escape? …Are these weird questions? 

We’re not talking about Dungeons and Dragons today (sorry nerds). We’re talking about escape rooms. 

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, an escape room is an immersive game in which you (and your comrades) are locked in a room and tasked with solving a series of puzzles under a certain amount of time (usually an hour) to crack some sort of mystery or accomplish a goal. 

So today, the itinerary I have to offer you is an escape room in Belmont Heights and happy hour — the order of things is up to you, but the post-puzzle drink comes highly recommended. 

Escape Long Beach – 3926 E. Broadway

Recently, I booked a room at Escape Long Beach, located conveniently close to Panxa Cocina (we’ll get to that later). It was my first time trying a hand at such a game and I’ll be honest, I think my teammates (or fellow agents) were running circles around me (and perhaps a little annoyed.) 

In my defense, we picked The Lab, their most difficult game. But I still enjoyed it and was able to point some lasers in the right direction, investigate suspicious sources and carefully mine a series of documents to crack a few world-saving codes (ahem, that’s basically what we do at the Post). 

The challenge? The FBI receives a video from a “mad environmental science student” (CSULB?) named Seymour Green. He threatens to deploy a bioweapon which will essentially destroy all of California. You and your fellow FBI agents (they give you FBI jackets to wear) break into Green’s lab and must discover where, when and how his weapon will deploy. You’re to disengage within 55 minutes — before his security system releases “poison gas.” 

Further in my defense, the two dudes I choose to join on this adventure regularly play some pretty involved tabletop games, so if that sounds like you, you will definitely enjoy a more challenging escape room. 

If not, The Queen Mary room is supposed to be easier. And if you’re looking for a local element with a paranormal twist, this experience is for you. Find out more about that one here. 

A few things to know: Each room requires a minimum of two players and will allow a maximum of six. You must arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so the friendly operators of Escape Long Beach can give you the rundown. Booking must be done ahead of time and you can do that here. 

Ticket prices go by group size, from $118 total for two to $35 per person for groups of four.

Until recently, Escape Long Beach was the city’s only fixed escape room. Now, you can also check out PanIQ Room in Downtown. 

Panxa Cocina – 3937 E. Broadway

Whatever shape that escape room left you and your fellow agents in, follow the map above over to Panxa Cocina for a victory drink or perhaps to salve the sting of defeat. Either way, you deserve it. 

On top of having some of the best drinks (and food) in Long Beach, this New Mexican establishment also has one of the best happy hour menus. And, they get bonus points for offering happy hours on Saturdays. 

Be sure to call an Uber or designate a saintly sober comrade because we’re ordering a $46 pitcher of Flaquita margaritas. That’s lunazul reposado, lime juice and agave. During happy hour Panxa offers $8 off any pitcher of margaritas from their Smokey Mango to the Margapeno to the Watermelon Basil. Be warned, these are dangerously delicious. 

More drinking deals: $2 off signature cocktails, $2 off margaritas, $9 house wines, $2 off beers, $8 house tequila and a $17 Road Runner (16 oz Modelo with a shot of tequila and a taco of your choosing). 

OK but we’re starving after all of that code-cracking right? Try one of their $9 dishes on happy hour. I’m a fan of the ceviche tostada, the totopos and the elote tempura balls (you read that right). 

You can’t leave without a taco though (and maybe another pitcher). Street tacos are $4 and you can choose between short rib, pork, chorizo, veggie, chorizo, potato, chicken, shrimp or all the above (no judgment here). 

Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so maybe avoid booking your escape room on those days. If not, try the nearby 36/36 Club (an adorable dive with pinball); The Attic, a swanky little bar up the street or the classic (and historic) Reno Room/Cocorenos. 

Have you tried Escape Long Beach or the PanIQ Room? What did you think? Do you have any reality-simulating puzzle recommendations? Email me.