Host Your Own 1920's Murder Mystery Party | How To Host the Perfect Murder Mystery - Speakeasy 20's theme
There’s something irresistibly dramatic about 1920s speakeasies—hidden doors, jazz, whispered secrets, and a little illicit glamour. If you combine that with a murder mystery party, you’ve got a night your guests will talk about for years.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to host a speakeasy-style murder mystery night from planning and decor to pacing and props. You’ll even see how to plug in Murder on the Rocks Interactive Party Game to make the evening seamless and unforgettable.
1. Before the Party: Planning Basics
a) Choose your guest count & venue
For optimal interaction, aim for 8–12 players — enough suspects to create intrigue but not so many that clues get lost.
Pick a space you can divide into zones (bar, lounge, clue display, photo area).
Make sure there’s flow but also hidden corners (for secret conversations).
b) Pick a timeline & structure
Start around 7:00 or 7:30 PM.
Allow 20–30 minutes for arrival, mingling, and getting into character.
Plan 2–3 acts or rounds of clue reveals, with breaks to recap or let players strategize.
End with final accusations and the big reveal (about 2 hours total is ideal).
c) Prepare your game kit
Use a structured murder mystery kit like Murder on the Rocks — it includes character roles, clues, scripts, and host guidance (making it easier to run).
Print and assemble all materials in advance (character packets, evidence clues, voting sheets).
Pre-assign characters (or let guests choose), and send character background or costume suggestions in advance.
2.Invitations & Secret Passwords
Use a vintage or art deco design and vertical formatting (for digital or printed invites).
Include a dress code: flapper dresses, pinstripe suits, fedoras, pearls, gloves.
Make the address or entrance secret, revealed only to RSVPs.
Send a password phrase (e.g. “Gatsby Sends Regards”) a day before the party — guests whisper it at the door.
Consider disguising the invite — e.g. a newspaper clipping, bootleg bottle wrap, or cipher.
3.Setting the Scene: Speakeasy Decor & Ambience
To immerse guests in the 1920s speakeasy atmosphere, your decor, lighting, and props matter just as much as the mystery itself.
Lighting & mood
Avoid overhead fluorescents. Use table lamps, Edison bulbs, string lights, candles, or LED candles.
Add warm-colored gels (amber, soft red) to lighting to set a moody, sultry tone.
Spotlight or softly illuminate your “crime scene” area later to draw attention.
Entrance & secret door concept
Label your entrance “Laundry Service” or “Closed for Repairs.”
Have a doorman or volunteer ask for the password before guests are “let in.”
Use fabric curtains or folding panels to hide the true entry.
Decor & props
Stick with a black, gold, deep red, emerald, and ivory palette (art deco style).
Use feathers, pearls, vintage glassware, old books, cigar boxes, whiskey decanters, vintage frames.
Create a clue wall or evidence board with red threads, pinned photos, newspaper cutouts, maps (great visual hook).
Set up a hidden bar area with ornate glass decanters, vintage trays, cocktail signage.
Scatter small props like magnifying glasses, fingerprint kits, typewriters, leather suitcases.
4. Costume & Character Immersion
Encourage full engagement—guests should arrive in character already.
Share a costume inspiration board or links ahead of time (flapper dresses, drop-waist gowns, tuxedos, fedoras, suspenders).
Provide backup props at the entrance (feather boas, costume jewelry, hats) for guests who forgot.
Award a “Best Dressed” prize to boost excitement and participation - Murder on The Rocks includes printable awards that you can give your guests at the end of the game!
5. Food & Drinks: Prohibition-Era Menu
Cocktails & mocktails
Serve classic 1920s cocktails like the Bee’s Knees, French 75, Sidecar, Manhattan, or Old Fashioned.
To keep with the speakeasy feel, disguise drinks—serve in teacups, coupe glasses, or cocktail jars.
Always include non-alcoholic mocktails (so everyone can participate).
Food & snacks
Keep it simple and finger-friendly: mini sandwiches, canapés, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, cheese & charcuterie.
Use vintage serving trays, decorative napkins, and matching dishware to keep the aesthetic consistent.
6. Structuring the Mystery Night
Begin with a mingle period: guests introduce themselves, exchange secrets or clues, get into character.
Break the game into acts or rounds. After each act, reveal new evidence, statements, or plot twists.
Use the host script (from your game kit) to control pacing.
Encourage movement—guests should talk to each other, wander, inspect clues.
Midway, introduce a twist or new clue to shake up alliances or suspicions.
At the climax, gather guests for final accusations, then read the reveal.
7. Extras & Atmosphere Enhancers
Photo booth corner: vintage props, velvet backdrops, props like fedoras, feather fans.
Secret performances: a jazz singer, period dance, or short skit can elevate immersion.
Mini gambling tables: poker or blackjack (with play money) to keep energy moving.
Slang cards: Print 1920s slang (bee’s knees, giggle water, joint, flat tire) for guests to drop into character. The Murder Mystery Co
Playlist: Curate jazz and swing from the 1920s era.
Visuals: Loop black & white silent clips or old newsreels in one corner for ambiance.
8. Hosting Tips & Troubleshooting
Stay neutral: the host should facilitate, not steer or influence suspect choices.
Prepare for no-shows: use a flexible “dummy character” or optional roles you can drop.
Be mindful of pace: if the game lags, use mini prompts or nudge conversation.
Encourage collaboration: some clues or puzzles may require group discussion.
For the reveal, build suspense— let everyone present accusations, then reveal the murderer with flair.
Add Murder on the Rocks
Whenever you see a spot above (prep, act pacing, scripts, clues), Murder on the Rocks Interactive Party Game can slot in beautifully:
It provides ready-to-use character packets, evidence, scripts, and timeline structure so you don’t have to invent it yourself.
The game’s immersive 1920s speakeasy setting matches your theme perfectly.
Because everything is planned, you can focus more on atmosphere, guest experience, and surprises, rather than logistics.
10. Wrap-Up & Next Steps
Hosting a 1920s speakeasy murder mystery night is about more than just clues — it’s about transporting your guests into a world of jazz, secrets, hidden doors, and intrigue. With the right planning, immersive decor, and a strong kit like Murder on the Rocks, you’ll deliver a night that’s equal parts elegant and electrifying.
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Murder on The Rocks - All-Inclusive 1920's Murder Mystery Party Game
Check out our no-set up mystery card games here.
If you like Town of Salem or Werewolf, check out Killers Among Us - A Mafia vs Serial Killer vs Townspeople Party Game for 7-15 Players.
If you want to play Killers Among Us with even more chaos, check out our expansion packs here. We currently have (as of 9/30/25) the occult expansion pack and the chaos expansion pack, each with 10 unique roles to add to the fun! Note: Killers Among Us is the base game and is required to play with the expansion packs.