Throwing a murder mystery party is one of the best ways to bring friends together. Set it in the Roaring Twenties and you add the glamour of flappers, gangsters, and speakeasies to the mix. The result is a night filled with laughter, suspense, and plenty of surprises. Hosting should be a fun experience, not filled with dread. With that in mind, here are some tips to create an unforgettable experience for your guests.

Set the Stage with the Right Atmosphere

The setting is half the magic. A 1920s speakeasy theme gives you plenty of room to work with. Dim lighting, jazz music playing in the background, and a few vintage-style decorations instantly transport guests to another era. You don’t need to go over the top – a few touches like old-fashioned glasses, playing cards on tables, and art deco accents can do the trick.

Encourage your guests to dress the part, but don’t make it a barrier. Suits, simple dresses, or anything they already own that feels vaguely 1920s works. The focus should be on the mystery, not on expensive costumes. Here’s some easy DIY 1920s costume ideas.

Explain the Game Before it Begins

Most people have never played a murder mystery before, so take a few minutes to explain how it works. Each guest has a character with a short biography, a secret they’re hiding, and actions they can take to earn points. With our new 1920s Speakeasy Murder Mystery, we also have a Risk/Reward System that keeps everyone engaged by rewarding players for slipping certain words into conversation, uncovering secrets, and identifying the killer.

Every good murder mystery kit will have easy to follow directions that you can read directly to your friends to explain how the night will proceed. You should have read all the instructions beforehand so that you can clear up any confusion before the actual murder mystery begins.

Keep the Pace Moving

A common mistake is letting the evening drag. As the host, your role is to guide the flow. If your guests are quickly solving clues and discovering secrets, but have hit a wall, don’t be afraid to move the next murder a little forward to keep the pace going smoothly – or even push it back when you guests are having too much fun to be disturbed.

Plan when each murder will happen in advance (3 murders if you’re using one of our games), and keep enough time afterward for discussion and accusations. People love debating who did it before the final reveal.

Balance Mystery with Fun

The story and clues are important, but the main point of the night is fun. Don’t stress about everyone solving the mystery perfectly. Some players will dig deep into the details, while others will just enjoy the roleplay. Both types of players are valuable because they create different energy in the room.

You can help balance this by keeping drinks and food simple and plentiful. A few themed cocktails or mocktails fit the mood, and finger food makes it easy for guests to mingle while staying in character.

Make the Ending Count

The big reveal is the moment everyone is waiting for. If it’s a regular murder mystery, then choose who get the Best Detective Award from the people that chose correctly. If it’s our Speakeasy Murder Mystery, then add the points total from discovering the killer to everyone’s total and see who the winner is. It’s nice to also let people share their theories before you confirm the truth. Some friends will have some really funny theories that are way off-course, but hilarious. This final moment ties the evening together and gives everyone something to talk about long after the night ends.