A Great Gatsby murder mystery party is one that set in the 1920s, but instead of being based in grungy speakeasy, it takes place in a grand mansion filled with high society. It’s where new money and old money sit together and makes plans that affect everyone else around them. If you love the atmosphere of the 1920s but want something a little different (while still getting to wear your favorite cloting), this is the party for you.

For a full 1920s hosting structure that applies to both formats, see our complete roaring twenties murder mystery guide.

How These Game Work

Great Gatsby murder mystery games either scripted or improv-style games set in the the 1920s that focus more on high society than on the speakeasy underground. Guests are assigned characters from the era – socialites, business rivals, jazz musicians, etc, and will have to investigate to find out which one of them is a killer.

This leads to a lot of suspense and excitement throughout the night. Guests also have to work out each others secrets. Good murder mystery games try to have fun, unique secrets for every guest – so it’s much harder to simply guess.

Gatsby vs. Speakeasy – Which Format Suits Your Group?

Feature	Great Gatsby Party	Speakeasy Party
Setting tone	Glamorous, formal, high society	Gritty, secretive, underground
Character types	Socialites, heirs, rivals, mysterious strangers	Gangsters, flappers, bootleggers, jazz musicians
Costume style	Formal: long gowns, white tie, pearls	Fun: fringe, fedoras, suspenders, feather boas
Decor	Champagne towers, white flowers, gold accents	Black and gold, dim lighting, vintage posters
Drinks	Champagne-heavy: French 75, cocktails with crystal glasses	Gin-heavy: Bee’s Knees, Southside, Last Word
Best for	Groups who enjoy formal occasions or book-club themes	Groups who want roleplay and theatrical energy

Both are great options, and depending on the murder mystery story, you could easily use one kit and base it in either location. If you already own a speakeasy murder mystery that has a lot of high society types as characters, you can simply change the wording of the introduction to base it in a mansion instead of a speakeasy.

Costumes for a Gatsby Party

Gatsby clothing is more formal – long gowns or elegant knee-length dresses with long pearl strands, silk gloves, feathered headpieces, etc. Men wear white ties instead of black, and dark formal suits with waistcoats and pocket squares.

You can check out our top 10 1920s costume ideas that covers both high society and speakeasy fashion. For guests on a tighter budget, many Gatsby-style clothing can be creating from what’s already in your wardrobe. See our guide to 1920s costumes from your own closet for what to look for.

Decor for a Gatsby-Style Party

Gatsby parties look more expensive than speakeasy underground parties, but they don’t actually have to cost more. They simply need:

• White or cream tablecloths instead of standard black
• Fresh flowers or greenery instead of vintage posters
• Champagne glasses (coupes or flutes) instead of normal glasswear
• Gold accents throughout: candelabras, napkin rings, etc.

The posters that we usually recommend for 1920s parties won’t work so well here, as mansion aren’t going to have movie posters up on their wall (unless one of the characters in a movie star).

Drinks for a Gatsby Party

Champagne was a favorite of this time, so make cocktails that use champagne in them, like the French 75 (champagne and gin) which is a tasty welcome drink. Maybe havve a simple champagne toast before the game starts to get everyone into character. Personally, champagne gives me a headache, so I also keep a few bottles of non-alchoholic champagne around for me.

For guests who don’t like their drinks sparkling, the Sidecar (cognac and orange) is also a good choice for high-society. Full recipes for both are in our Prohibition-era cocktail guide.

Do I Need to Have Read the Novel?

No. The game doesn’t require any knowledge of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Guests who have read it may recognize the atmosphere, but the story will be completely different depending on how the creator designed it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this game the same as a standard murder mystery party?

The structure is exactly the same, the only different is the theme and location.

How many players does this game need?

It will depend on the game designer. Different games are created for a different number of people. Check the description of the game you have in mind to get accurate details.

What’s the difference between this game and Jazz, Moonshine and Murder?

The setting. Both types of games are set in the 1920s, but Great Gatsby-style games are based in a mansion with high society and Jazz, Moonshine and Murder is set in an underground speakeasy. Jazz, Moonshine and Murder also used Print Mysteries’ new Risk/Reward Points system to ensure that players are invested in the story from beginning to end. No other game makes use of this system.