Before Your Visit
Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions govern use of The Cipher Lounge website and certain reservations, bookings, purchases, promotions, and experiences offered by The Cipher Lounge, operated by Astralkey Inc.
Effective August 16, 2026 · Last updated August 16, 2026
The Cipher Lounge
The Cipher Lounge is a lounge and entertainment concept in Historic Downtown McKinney, Texas, offering food and beverages, alcoholic beverages, special events, and immersive escape-room experiences. Offerings, menus, operating hours, availability, pricing, and experiences may change without notice.
Lounge Reservations
Lounge reservations are subject to availability. Guests should arrive at their scheduled reservation time. We cannot guarantee that a table will remain available indefinitely for late-arriving parties. Reservation durations, minimum purchases, deposits, cancellation policies, or other conditions may apply to certain reservations, events, or party sizes when disclosed at booking.
Escape-Room Reservations
Escape-room experiences require advance booking and are subject to availability. Guests should carefully review their selected experience, date, time, and party size before completing payment. All members of an escape-room party should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled game time for check-in, waivers, safety instructions, and briefing. Arrival 10 minutes or more after the scheduled start time may result in forfeiture of the experience without refund because late arrivals cannot disrupt subsequent reservations.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
Requests to reschedule an escape-room reservation should be made at least four (4) hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations, rescheduling requests, no-shows, and late arrivals may be subject to the terms disclosed during booking. Where applicable, a cancellation or rescheduling charge may apply when a reserved room or time slot cannot reasonably be filled. Refunds are not guaranteed for missed reservations, late arrivals, failure to comply with participation requirements, or removal due to unsafe or prohibited conduct.
Escape + Sip
The full Cipher Lounge experience. Begin—or end—your escape with time at the lounge. Get 20% off your entire check up to a maximum discount of $55. The Escape + Sip discount is calculated on the applicable subtotal before sales tax and is limited to a maximum discount of $55. Escape + Sip may be redeemed once per qualifying booking. Any unused discount value has no cash value and cannot be transferred or carried forward. The Cipher Lounge’s 20% Service Charge (Automatic Gratuity) is calculated on the applicable pre-discount subtotal. The Escape + Sip discount does not reduce the amount used to calculate the Service Charge.
20% Service Charge (Automatic Gratuity)
The Cipher Lounge applies a 20% service charge (automatic gratuity) to guest checks. The Service Charge is calculated on the applicable pre-discount subtotal, before sales tax. Discounts and promotional offers may reduce the amount charged for eligible purchases but do not reduce the amount used to calculate the Service Charge. The Service Charge will be identified on the guest’s check.
Alcohol Service
The Cipher Lounge serves alcoholic beverages and follows applicable Texas alcoholic-beverage laws and responsible-service practices. Valid government-issued identification may be required. We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue alcohol service when required by law or when staff determines continued service would be inappropriate or unsafe. Purchasing a reservation, package, promotion, or experience does not guarantee alcohol service. Spirit-free alternatives may be available.
Alcohol and Escape Rooms
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the escape rooms. Guests who appear intoxicated or whose condition could create a safety risk may be refused entry or removed from an experience. A guest denied participation because of intoxication, unsafe conduct, or violation of safety rules may not be entitled to a refund.
Physical Requirements and Safety
Escape-room experiences may contain dark or low-light environments, confined or small spaces, crawling or bending, theatrical lighting, sound or effects, unexpected noises or movements, and interactive props and puzzles. Guests should notify The Cipher Lounge before participating if they have a physical limitation or accessibility concern that could affect safe participation. Guests must follow all instructions provided by game masters and staff. Emergency exits, safety equipment, restricted areas, electrical equipment, cameras, control equipment, and other designated items must not be tampered with.
Waivers
Participation in certain immersive experiences may require completion of a waiver or acknowledgment before entry. Parents or legal guardians may be required to complete appropriate documentation for participating minors. Failure to complete required documentation may result in inability to participate.
Age Requirements and Minors
Certain experiences may have minimum age requirements. Where minors are permitted, adult supervision may be required. Age and supervision requirements displayed during booking form part of the reservation conditions. Alcohol will only be served to guests legally permitted to consume alcohol.
Phones and Personal Belongings
Cell phones and certain personal belongings may not be permitted inside escape rooms. Guests may be required to secure phones or other belongings before beginning an experience. The Cipher Lounge is not responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, or damaged personal belongings except where liability cannot legally be excluded.
Guest Conduct
Guests must treat employees, other guests, facilities, props, furnishings, equipment, and neighboring businesses respectfully. Threatening, abusive, discriminatory, destructive, excessively disruptive, or unsafe behavior may result in removal from the premises without refund. Intentional or reckless damage may result in the responsible guest being charged for repair or replacement to the extent permitted by law.
Food Allergies and Dietary Requests
Guests should inform their server of allergies or dietary concerns before ordering. While reasonable efforts may be made to accommodate requests, our kitchen and bar handle multiple ingredients and cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free from allergens or cross-contact.
Menu and Product Availability
Menu descriptions, ingredients, vintages, brands, garnishes, preparations, and availability may change. Images displayed on the website are illustrative and may not exactly represent the item ultimately served.
Gift Cards and Gift Vouchers
Gift cards and gift vouchers are subject to the terms presented at purchase and applicable law. They may not be redeemable for cash except where required by law. Toast gift cards, Resova vouchers, promotional certificates, and other products may have different redemption rules and may not necessarily be interchangeable. Lost or stolen cards or vouchers may be subject to the issuing platform’s replacement policies.
Promotions and Discounts
Promotions, discount codes, packages, complimentary items, and special offers may have separate eligibility requirements, expiration dates, exclusions, or redemption rules. Unless expressly stated otherwise, offers cannot be combined. We reserve the right to correct obvious pricing or promotional errors and to discontinue promotions as permitted by law.
Special Events
Special events may have separate ticketing, cancellation, age, dress, admission, or refund policies. Where special-event terms conflict with these general Terms, the conditions disclosed for the applicable event will govern that event.
Website Content and Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise indicated, The Cipher Lounge website, branding, designs, written content, graphics, logos, experience names, and original materials are owned by or licensed to Astralkey Inc. They may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, commercially exploited, or used to create derivative commercial materials without authorization, except as permitted by applicable law or an applicable third-party license. Third-party photographs and materials remain subject to their respective licenses and ownership rights.
Third-Party Services
Our website may link to or integrate with third-party reservation, payment, mapping, calendar, social-media, and other services. Use of those services may be governed by separate terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for third-party systems, outages, errors, policies, or content except as required by applicable law.
Availability and Website Errors
We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate website information but cannot guarantee that all content will always be complete, current, or error-free. We reserve the right to correct typographical errors, pricing errors, booking errors, availability errors, or technical problems.
Assumption of Risk
Escape-room and immersive entertainment activities involve ordinary risks associated with moving through interactive environments. Guests are responsible for following safety instructions and participating within their abilities. Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive or limit rights or liabilities that cannot legally be waived or limited.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Astralkey Inc. and The Cipher Lounge will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from use of the website, third-party services, or participation in services except where such limitation is prohibited by law. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute will be subject to applicable state and federal laws and jurisdictional requirements.
Changes to These Terms
The Cipher Lounge may update these Terms periodically. The version posted on the website at the time of use or transaction will apply unless otherwise required by law.
Contact
Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to The Cipher Lounge / Astralkey Inc., 101 S Chestnut St, McKinney, Texas, or contact@thecipherlounge.com.