Sherlocked Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to every booking and purchase with Sherlocked International B.V., Beursplein 1, 1012 JW Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Chamber of Commerce 68179545, VAT NL857334414B02). Questions: hello@sherlocked.nl or +31 20 244 4631 (office hours). Group bookings: groups@sherlocked.nl.

Prices for escape rooms, City Games and gift cards include VAT. Prices for Parlay and Time Crimes are excluding 21% VAT.

1. Escape rooms

This section applies to The Alchemist, The Vault and The Architect at the Beurs van Berlage, and to Sherlock's Brain Fog at Oudezijds Armsteeg 24, Amsterdam.

1.1 Booking and payment

• You can only book an escape room on our website. The booking is final after payment; you then receive a confirmation by email. Also check your spam folder.
• No confirmation? Then the booking did not go through. The time is released again after 15 minutes and you can book again. If a payment was taken without a confirmation, it is refunded automatically within 48 hours.
• Online booking closes 2 hours before the start.
• Arrive 5 minutes before the start (Sherlock's Brain Fog: 10 minutes). The team arrives together; joining a game that has already started is not possible. Start times are fixed.
• Companies can add their company details and a purchase order number or reference at checkout; the invoice is sent automatically. If you prefer that we make the booking and send an invoice with a payment link, we charge €35 excluding VAT.

1.2 Cancellation and changes

The time between our receiving your request and the start of the game decides which rule applies. You can do most changes yourself in Manage my booking, via the link in your confirmation email.

• More than 48 hours before the start: free cancellation with a full refund; rescheduling or changing room is free, subject to availability; removing players refunds the full price difference.
• 24 to 48 hours before the start: cancelling gives a 50% refund; rescheduling or changing room is not possible; removing players refunds 50% of the price difference.
• Less than 24 hours before the start, or after the start: no refund; rescheduling is not possible.
• Force majeure: no refund or compensation is given for last-minute cancellations because of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
• You can add players at any time, up to the maximum of the room, by paying the price difference.
• Refunds go back to the original payment method, usually within 3 to 5 working days. A gift voucher instead of a refund is possible only if you ask for it at hello@sherlocked.nl before cancelling.
• If you paid with a gift voucher, you always receive a new gift voucher, never cash.
• If Sherlocked has to cancel, for example because of maintenance or a breakdown, we offer a new time or a full refund within 30 days. This does not apply in case of force majeure.

1.3 The experience

• By taking part you acknowledge that this is not an everyday activity, but an immersive and active game experience. You take part at your own risk.
• All locations are reached by stairs and need some physical flexibility. The finale of The Alchemist has strobe-like light effects. Check the information about each room on our website, assess your own situation and seek medical advice if you are in doubt.
• Sherlocked is not liable for injuries or incidents during the game, unless caused by our intent or gross negligence. Do not take unnecessary risks and always follow the game master's instructions directly.
• Phones are not allowed inside the escape rooms. They are stored safely during your game, with game masters nearby for help or emergencies.

1.4 Age and language

• Minimum age: 12 for The Alchemist, The Architect and Sherlock's Brain Fog; 15 for The Vault.
• Players under 16 must play together with a team member aged 16 or older; for Sherlock's Brain Fog, with an adult. Our puzzles are quite tricky, so we recommend bringing an adult.
• All escape rooms are in English. The Architect can be played in Dutch on Wednesdays and Sundays when a Dutch-speaking host is present; choose the language when you book. Sherlock's Brain Fog can be guided in Dutch on request.

1.5 Confidentiality

The magic of an escape game lies in solving the puzzles and mysteries yourself. Share the excitement with your friends, but please do not share spoilers.

1.6 Safety and recording

• Your safety and that of our game masters is our top priority. Our game masters guide your experience, and some experiences include actors.
• We monitor all games, and record audio and video for safety and game guidance. Do you not want to be recorded? Tell us by email at policy@sherlocked.nl, at least 24 hours before the start of your game.

1.7 Behaviour

We expect every player to keep a positive atmosphere, follow the game master's instructions at all times, not touch or hinder the game master, and handle the rooms and everything in them with care. Alcohol and drugs: zero tolerance. Our game masters end the game, without refund or compensation, when one or more players:

• are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or use them;
• are aggressive or threatening towards each other or towards the game master;
• make sexually explicit, threatening, discriminatory or racist gestures or comments;
• keep ignoring instructions when their behaviour endangers themselves or damages the experience.

If necessary, we report incidents to the police, take legal action and/or claim compensation for damage. Do you think a game was ended unfairly? Please do not argue with the game master, but email hello@sherlocked.nl.

2. Gift cards and vouchers

2.1 Where you can use them

Gift cards and vouchers can only be used for The Alchemist, The Vault and The Architect. They cannot be used for Sherlock's Brain Fog, Parlay, Time Crimes, City Games or Home Mysteries. Each gift card has a unique code.

2.2 Types and validity

• Escape room gift card: for a specific escape room and number of players, sometimes limited to weekdays or weekends. Valid for two years from the date of purchase. If the room price goes up in that period, you do not pay extra. You can add players by paying the price difference at the time of booking; email hello@sherlocked.nl with the code.
• Gift card with an amount: from €25, valid for five years from the date of purchase. If the experience costs more than the amount, you pay the difference.
• Aftersales gift card: an escape room gift card that you can buy at a discount after your game, on our website or from your game master.
• Gift cards are delivered as a PDF by email. There are no physical gift cards.

2.3 Redeeming

• Enter the code in the Voucher Code field when you pay. The value is deducted from the total.
• A gift card can be used once, for one booking. If the booking costs less than the value, the remaining balance is not refunded or kept.
• One gift card per payment; gift cards cannot be combined with other gift cards or vouchers.
• If you cancel or reschedule a booking paid with a gift card, within the rules of section 1.2, you receive a new gift card for the amount paid.

2.4 Lost codes

Lost your code? Email hello@sherlocked.nl. We can only replace a code that has not been used. Keep your code private: anyone with the code can use it, and we cannot replace a code that someone else has used.

3. Parlay and Time Crimes (group games)

Parlay and Time Crimes are group games for companies and other groups. Time Crimes is made and run together with our partner Logic Locks. By confirming a booking for Parlay or Time Crimes, you agree to the terms in this section.

3.1 The games and the location

• Parlay: 12 to 25 players per game, about 90 minutes plus about 15 minutes for the welcome and the wrap-up. Parlay is played only at Handboogstraat 12, Amsterdam.
• Time Crimes: 12 to 25 players per game, 90 minutes. At Handboogstraat 12, Amsterdam, Time Crimes is only played together with Parlay; on its own it is played at a location of your choice.
• Handboogstraat 12 is directly next to tram stop Koningsplein. It is not the Beurs van Berlage.
• Both games are played Monday to Friday, at the start times we offer in the quote.
• The games are in English. For Parlay a Dutch-speaking host is possible on request; the puzzles stay in English.
• Time Crimes at a location of your choice: tell us the location when you request the booking. We check the space before we confirm.

3.2 Booking

• Parlay and Time Crimes cannot be booked online. Request a booking through our website, by email to groups@sherlocked.nl or by phone. We reply with availability and a quote.
• Your booking is confirmed when you accept the quote online, or when you send us a purchase order with the reservation number. From that moment the booking is binding and section 3.6 applies.
• For a date less than 9 days away we first check whether we can arrange a host and the setup. We confirm only when we can.

3.3 Holding a date (option)

Before your booking is confirmed, we can hold a date for you free of charge. A hold is an option:

• We hold the date for 7 days.
• If another customer wants to book the same date and time, we contact you first. You decide: confirm your booking, or let the date go.
• We send a reminder the day before the hold ends. If the booking is not confirmed by then, we release the date.

A hold is free and does not oblige you to book. The booking is final only after you confirm it.

3.4 Prices

• The price is per game, as stated in the quote, excluding 21% VAT. It includes a dedicated host and the coordination beforehand; for games at Handboogstraat 12 also the room.
• Parlay: €775 per game for games played until 31 December 2026 (launch price); €875 per game for games played from 1 January 2027.
• Time Crimes: €875 per game. Optional guided reflection session with feedback on team dynamics: €200.
• Time Crimes at a location of your choice: transport costs from €250, depending on the distance and the number of games.
• The price stays the same if fewer people take part than planned. This also applies to booked games that are not used, so invite enough people to cover those who cannot come.
• The invoice is included at no extra cost. Extra administration, such as entering a purchase order in your system or registering us in a supplier portal, costs €35 excluding VAT.

3.5 Payment

After confirmation you receive an invoice. Unless the quote says otherwise, it must be paid within 14 days of the invoice date, or at least 48 hours before the event, whichever comes first.

3.6 Cancellation and postponement

Postponing counts as cancelling the original date. These refunds apply:

• 14 days or more before the event: 100% refund.
• 7 to 13 days before the event: 50% refund.
• 6 days or less before the event: no refund.

• Cancel or postpone by email to groups@sherlocked.nl. The date we receive your email counts.
• Costs we have made for you that cannot be refunded, such as equipment rental or special purchases, are charged in any case.
• If Sherlocked has to cancel, we offer a new date or a full refund within 30 days.

3.7 Drinks and food

• We do not sell drinks or food packages for Parlay and Time Crimes.
• Drinks or dinner after the game at Belly of the Beast (Singel 460, Amsterdam) are a separate agreement between you and Belly of the Beast. If you mention it in your request, we pass your request on. Belly of the Beast arranges, prices and invoices it directly with you. Sherlocked is not a party to that agreement and is not responsible for it.
• You may not bring your own drinks to Handboogstraat 12 unless agreed with us in advance.

3.8 Conduct

• Drugs and spirits (for example whisky, gin or vodka) are not allowed immediately before or during the event.
• Misconduct, whether or not under the influence, is not tolerated. If a Sherlocked employee or partner doubts a participant's condition, or feels threatened or unsafe, they may refuse entry or remove the participant from the game, without refund or compensation. Section 1.7 also applies.

3.9 Gift cards

Gift cards and vouchers cannot be used for Parlay or Time Crimes.

3.10 Privacy

We share the booking details needed to run the game with the partner who runs it, such as Logic Locks for Time Crimes. They use these details only for the booking and the communication about the game.

4. City Games

City Games are self-guided outdoor games in Amsterdam. They go ahead rain or shine. The start location is in your confirmation email; it is not the Sherlocked location in Google Maps. Gift cards cannot be used for City Games.

4.1 Atlantis Protocol

• Book and pay online. You can cancel free of charge up to the start of your game, via Manage my booking in your confirmation email.
• One charged smartphone with WhatsApp and mobile internet per team is required. Minimum age 12, with adult supervision.

4.2 A Secret Sender and Operation 45

• These games are run by our partner Mystery City. You pick up a backpack with the game at Mystery City HQ, Zwanenburgwal 178, Amsterdam.
• Book and pay online. Companies can choose "pay later" to receive an invoice.
• Minimum age 9, with an adult.
• Cancel or reschedule by email to citygames@sherlocked.nl. More than 48 hours before the start: free. 24 to 48 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours: no refund. A rescheduled game cannot be cancelled.
• The game materials belong to our partner. Do not photograph or share the puzzles publicly. We may ask for a deposit (for example an ID), which you get back when the game set is returned. For a game set that is not returned we charge €400.
• We share your name, group size and other necessary details with Mystery City to prepare your game, only for the booking.

4.3 For all City Games

• You play at your own risk. Mind traffic and your surroundings. Sherlocked is not liable for injuries, damage or loss during the game, or for weather, transport problems or force majeure.
• Follow the instructions of the game. Players under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be refused, without refund. Misuse or damage of game materials can end the game.
• If Sherlocked has to cancel, you get a full refund within 30 days.

5. Home Mysteries

• Home Mysteries games are sold at homemysteries.com and shipped from the Netherlands.
• You can return an item within 30 days of receiving it, unused, in its original packaging and with proof of purchase. EU customers can also cancel or return within 14 days without giving a reason, under the same conditions. Start a return by email to mysteries@sherlocked.nl; we do not accept returns without approval.
• Sale items and gift cards cannot be returned. Refunds go to the original payment method within 10 working days after approval.
• A damaged, defective or wrong item? Contact us straight away and we will make it right.

6. Privacy

By using our website and services, you agree to our privacy statement.

These terms and conditions may change. The version that applies is the one valid on the date of your booking. Prices may vary. Version: 9 November 2026.