Entry No. 74 — the Des Moines file — filed under: art
Escape Chambers Des Moines
Billed as the first live escape room in Des Moines, this downtown spot runs movie-inspired rooms across horror, mystery, adventure, and crime themes. It is more than just escape games: there is also a laser-tag room and an axe-throwing room, plus a bar where you can buy a drink and bring it into certain rooms. It is a one-stop combine-it-all option for an active night.
The story
Des Moines didn't have live escape rooms until this space on SW 6th Street opened back in early 2015. What began as padlock-and-key puzzle chambers has since expanded into a multi-ring gauntlet of adult play, stacking movie-inspired escape games alongside a laser-tag arena and an axe-throwing facility under one downtown roof.
The escape rooms lean hard into cinematic tropes, mystery, and outright horror—like *Novacaine*, a room where you act as a dental assistant trying to piecemeal evidence after seeing your boss get arrested on the local news. The real operational twist, however, is the on-site bar: they let you order a drink and carry it directly into designated rooms, adding a layer of liquid courage (or strategic impairment) to your 60-minute countdown.
What it's like
Expect the ambient thud of throwing axes echoing down the hallway as soon as you step inside. The vibe is active and loud, full of groups debating puzzle logic or lining up shots at wood targets. Walk-ins rarely work out, so lock down your escape room or axe lane reservation online before showing up. Stop by the bar first, double-check with staff on which rooms allow drinks inside, and give yourself a few minutes to clear your head before the lock drops.
The move: Book a 60-minute themed escape room, then settle the score in the axe-throwing room with a drink in hand.
📍 Before you go Escape rooms and axe throwing are by reservation/appointment; book ahead.
- 📍 Downtown Des Moines
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 338 SW 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe — Trade high-stress countdowns and throwing hatchets for a relaxed, self-paced tabletop session just a block away.
- The Haunt — Keep the eerie, adrenaline-heavy mood going by grabbing a drink inside a subterranean speakeasy hidden in a haunted house attraction.
- Up-Down Des Moines — Head across the river into the East Village after your escape session to burn quarters on 80s arcade cabinets and skee-ball.
Good to know
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Both the escape rooms and the axe-throwing lanes run strictly on reservations, so you'll need to book online before heading out.
Can you bring drinks into the escape rooms?
Yes. You can purchase a drink at the venue's bar and carry it into select escape rooms as well as the axe-throwing area.
What activities are available besides escape rooms?
In addition to 60-minute themed escape rooms, the building houses an axe-throwing setup, a laser-tag room, and a bar.
What kinds of themes do the escape rooms cover?
The rooms cover horror, mystery, adventure, and crime scenarios, such as the dental-office crime narrative in *Novacaine*.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · Tripadvisor · lumberaxedsm.com · morty.app
last checked: 2026-06-23