‘Escape room meets dinner theater’ event coming

A new “pop-up immersive dinner experience” is coming to Hartford’s Goodwin Hotel next month, courtesy of Tyler Anderson’s Tanda Hospitality Group and Lumi Hospitality/WeHartford, in partnership with TheaterWorks.

The “Yes- Or-No Morgan” concept, launching Jan. 8, is described as “escape room meets dinner theater.” Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner with wine or cocktails in a guest room at the hotel, transformed into a dining room with beds removed, along with the “Yes-Or-No Morgan” experience, featuring the story of J.P. Morgan.

“Your evening at The Goodwin will transport you back to the 1800s as we tell the story of J.P. Morgan’s life — a man so bold that he was known by his peers as ‘Yes-or-No

Morgan,’” the website reads. “A prominent figure in American history, but also someonewith deep ties to Hartford and the Goodwin Hotel.”

Guests will be solving a mystery while they’re in the room, Anderson said, and they will receive clues and hidden secrets throughout the course of the meal. Meals and cocktails will have historical significance to the era.

The events are billed as COVIDsafe, with a maximumoffourguests per dining room. Dinner packages must be purchased ahead of time, and organizers promise a virtually contactless experience, with meals and drinks delivered by cart outside the room.

There will only be one seating per room per night, and each room and any props used in the experience will be cleaned and/or replaced daily. The series will run for about a month, Anderson said, and if successful, they’ll continue it longer and possibly change up the experiences.

Tickets start at $124.42 per person (with tax and service charge included.) Guests wishing to stay overnight at the hotel will receive a special $120 room rate.