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What is The Portal escape arena?
The Portal combines six themed mini rooms with a final Portal challenge. Your group splits into mini teams of two or three and explores games that test thinking, skill and physical ability. Each challenge contributes to your score, with a live leaderboard showing how the teams compare.
This is a different format from one team spending an hour in a single escape room. Mini teams choose their route through the arena, take on different challenges and regroup between games. Allow around 90 minutes to two hours for the experience, depending on how busy the arena is.
How many people can take part in Portal team building?
The Portal accommodates up to 25 guests at once. Within that group, you play in mini teams of two or three. For a corporate booking outside the regular Saturday sessions, the minimum group size is 12; contact the team to arrange a suitable date and time.
For a larger event, Clue HQ Birmingham can accommodate up to 52 people across the venue: 25 in The Portal and 27 across the four escape rooms. That is a combined venue capacity, not 52 people inside The Portal. Tell us your headcount so we can help arrange the right mix of activities, subject to availability.
Why does The Portal work for a team-building day?
Small teams give each person more opportunity to contribute. One colleague might spot a pattern, another might work out a technique, and another might help the team keep its focus. The mix of mental, skill and physical challenges gives you different ways to work together.
Try mixing departments or pairing colleagues who do not normally collaborate. A shared task gives them something immediate to talk about without an awkward introductory exercise. Afterwards, compare how teams approached the same challenges: what did they notice, what did they try and when did they ask for help?
The leaderboard adds friendly competition, but you can set the tone for your own event. Celebrate teamwork and discoveries as well as scores. The point is an enjoyable shared experience that gives people a reason to connect.
Is there a bar, and can we arrange drinks for the group?
Yes. The mini bar serves bottled beers, wines, cider and soft drinks. Guests can take a break between games, have a drink and catch up before their next challenge. Soft drinks make it easy to include colleagues who do not drink alcohol.
If you are organising a company event, tell the team whether you want to pay for drinks centrally or discuss a drinks-voucher arrangement. Ask what can be arranged for your date, what drinks would be covered and how it would be charged. Drinks are not described here as included in the Portal ticket; confirm your package when enquiring.
Where is The Portal in Birmingham?
The Portal is at Clue HQ Birmingham, Arches 20 and 21, Lionel Street, B3 1AG. Snow Hill Station is around five minutes away on foot, and St Chads tram stop is directly above the railway arches. Paid on-street parking is available nearby.
The city-centre location makes it practical to add lunch, dinner or a meeting before or after your activity. The Jewellery Quarter and Colmore Row are nearby, so you can build a team day around the game without organising transport between every part of the plan.
What should an organiser check before booking?
Start with your headcount, preferred date and whether you want The Portal alone or a combined visit with escape rooms. Let us know any access requirements: the arena includes physical challenges as well as mental and skill games, so it is useful to discuss individual needs in advance.
Allow time for arrival and the briefing as well as the arena itself. If you are adding a meal elsewhere, leave a comfortable gap rather than planning around the quickest possible finish. For younger guests, The Portal is suitable for ages seven and over, and every mini team must include an adult.
When can corporate groups book, and what does it cost?
Regular Portal sessions run on Saturdays from 1pm to 9pm, with slots starting every 30 minutes. Corporate groups of 12 or more can enquire about other dates and times. An enquiry is the way to confirm a session that works for your event.
The Portal page currently advertises £18 per person, or £12 per person if you have already booked an escape room for the same day, subject to availability. Check the live Portal page and booking calendar for the current price. For a company event, ask for a quote covering your group, any escape rooms and any drinks arrangements.