How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party for Up to 20 Guests
A murder mystery dinner party is one of those experiences that brings everyone together for an evening of mystery, accusations and conspiracies.
Instead of the usual dinner conversations, your guests become suspects, exchange clues, question each other's stories and work together to solve a fictional murder.
It's a great way to celebrate a birthday, bring a friendship group together or host something a little different from the usual dinner party.
And while it might sound like a lot to organise, you don't need an elaborate venue or professional event planner to pull it off.
With a murder mystery pack, a thoughtfully styled dinner table, a few interactive activities and some simple food options, you can create an entire evening of entertainment at home.
This guide takes you through the experience, from choosing the murder storyline and setting up your space to planning the evening and shopping for everything you'll need.
The Experience
Guests: Up to 20, subject to your chosen game's capacity
Location: At home or a private dining space
Duration: Approximately 4–5 hours
Style: Classic murder mystery with red, black and gold accents
Food: Cocktails, grazing platters and a shared dinner
Activities: Murder mystery game, evidence board and suspect photographs
1. Start with the murder mystery game
The first thing you'll need is a murder mystery pack that gives the evening its storyline.
Your chosen package will determine how the night unfolds, whether guests are assigned characters in advance, how clues are shared and when the murderer is revealed.
There are plenty of murder mystery packs available online varying in player size, method of game play and themes.
This murder mystery pack is a replay-able speakeasy Gatbsy theme with various game outcomes. Guests can have pre-determined roles or choose their character for the evening when they arrive. Decide which route you would like to take depending on the charisma of your guests.
You can also decide whether you want to act as the host throughout the evening or participate as one of the suspects.
2. Invite your suspects
Once you've chosen the pack, it's time to invite your guests.
Make the invitation part of the experience by introducing the evening as a mysterious gathering rather than a standard dinner party.
Include the date, time, location, dress code and any character information guides beforehand.
For the dress code, you could encourage guests to wear cocktail attire, formal eveningwear or outfits inspired by characters.
The goal is to make everyone feel like they're attending an occasion, without making costumes a requirement for people who would rather keep things simple.
An invitation idea:
You've been invited to an evening of dinner, drinks and deception. Somewhere among the guests is a murderer, and everyone has a secret. Come dressed for the occasion, prepare your alibi and remember: not everyone is who they seem.
3. Set up your murder mystery dinner table
Your dinner table is where guests will spend a good portion of the evening, so this is the perfect place to introduce your theme.
For this party, we've chosen red, black and gold to create a classic murder mystery atmosphere that feels special without being overly themed.
Start with a red tablecloth, layer your placemats and add gold cutlery to bring everything together.
Red tablecloth
A red satin tablecloth creates the foundation for the entire table setting. It adds colour without needing lots of extra decorations and works beautifully with gold and black accessories.
Decorative placemats
Add a placemat to each setting to give the table a more finished appearance, popular for the Gatsby time periods. They also help define each guest's place when you're seating a larger group.
Gold cutlery
Really want to go the extra mile? Gold cutlery adds a little extra detail to the table and complements the rich feeling of the evening.
Character name cards
Instead of using your guests' real names, create a place card for each of the murder mystery characters.
Guests can select their character before taking a seat to add to the mystery of the evening.
It's also a simple way to help everyone remember who is who and makes the game feel like part of the dinner setting.
4. Create a warm atmosphere with lighting
Remember, we’re in the era of 1920/1930’s gatsby. Candles were the way to create ambience and mood in any room. Lighting options will completely change the feeling of a room.
You don't need to turn off every light or make the space dark. Instead, use warm lighting to make the dining area feel inviting while giving the evening a little atmosphere.
Place candle holders along the dining table, add taper candles and use fairy lights to softly illuminate the room.
Candle holders and taper candles
Use candle holders as simple centrepieces, spacing them along the table so guests can still see and speak to one another comfortably.
Flameless candles
For a larger party or venues that don’t allow open flames, flameless taper candles are a useful alternative. You can create the same warm table setting without worrying about open fire near guests or decorations.
Fairy lights
Use fairy lights along a wall, behind the food station or around the photo area to create consistent, soft lighting throughout the room. These fairy light walls create a magnificent backdrop at little expense.
5. Build an interactive evidence board
Once the space is created and ready to host your murderous friends, it’s time to start building the experience.
One of the most entertaining additions to a murder mystery dinner party is an evidence board.
This gives guests somewhere to gather, review clues and discuss their theories as the game progresses.
You can’t go past a classic cork board and red string to feel like you’re a 1930’s detective. You’ll be smoking inside before you know it! Connect different suspects, photographs and pieces of evidence to build out your storyline.
You could include character names, fictional newspaper clippings, mysterious messages or information revealed throughout the game.
Cork board
Use the cork board as the main display for your investigation. Position it somewhere guests can easily access without interrupting dinner.
Red string
Connect clues and suspects using red string to create a traditional detective-style investigation board.
Make it interactive: Leave a few blank cards and pens nearby so guests can add their theories throughout the evening.
Just remember to keep the evidence consistent with your chosen game's storyline so you don't accidentally give away the ending.
6. Create a suspect photo station
Give your guests something fun to do as they arrive by setting up a simple mugshot station.
All you need is a height measurement backdrop, a camera and a small space where people can pose for their suspect photographs.
You can encourage guests to take their photos in character, whether that's a serious detective-style mugshot or something a little more playful.
Mugshot backdrop
Hang the height measurement backdrop against a wall, preferably somewhere with good lighting.
Instant camera and film
An instant camera is a fun addition because guests can see & print their photographs immediately.
Take a photo of each guest as they arrive, then pin the pictures to the evidence board. Each guest can then take their photograph home at the end of the night for a keepsake.
Allow enough film for your guests and a few extra photographs. Check that the film is compatible with your chosen camera before ordering.
7. Plan food that lets you enjoy the party too
When you're hosting 20 people, the last thing you want is to spend the entire evening in the kitchen.
The best food for a murder mystery party is something you can prepare ahead of time, serve easily and enjoy while the game continues.
A grazing table or buffet-style dinner works particularly well because guests can help themselves without needing everyone to sit down for a formal meal at exactly the same time.
You could start with cheese, crackers, antipasto, dips and finger food, followed by a selection of shared dinner dishes:
Cold Salads
Slow cooked meats
Pasta bakes
Meat skewers
Roast vegetables
Pies or caseroles
For dessert, individual portions are a practical choice. Mini cheesecakes, chocolate mousse cups or small dessert platters can be prepared (or bought) in advance.
Serving platters
We've selected several serving platter options so you can mix different shapes and sizes to suit your menu and table space.
Choose the number of platters based on the food you're serving rather than purchasing every option.
Cocktail glasses
Welcome guests with a signature cocktail or mocktail to introduce the theme.
A red berry spritz, cranberry mocktail or cherry-inspired drink fits the colour scheme and is easy to prepare in batches.
Use clear cocktail glasses to serve the drinks and keep the presentation consistent with the dinner table.
8. Add a few playful finishing touches
Sometimes it's the small details that guests remember most.
A letter board is an easy way to add some personality to the evening without needing additional decorations.
Position it at the entrance to welcome your guests, beside the drinks station or near the evidence board.
You could display a message like:
Everyone is a suspect.
Trust no one.
Welcome to the crime scene.
The killer is among us.
You can also create a playlist of soft jazz, instrumental music or mystery-inspired soundtracks to play quietly in the background.
Keep the music low enough that guests can comfortably talk and hear the clues being revealed.
9. Plan the order of the evening
You don't need to schedule every minute, but having a loose timeline will help keep things moving.
Here's an example for a murder mystery dinner party beginning at 6 pm.
Time | Activity |
6:00 pm | Guests arrive, welcome drinks and suspect photographs |
6:30 pm | Introduce the mystery and explain the game |
7:00 pm | First investigation round |
7:45 pm | Dinner and conversations |
8:30 pm | More clues and investigations |
9:15 pm | Final accusations |
9:30 pm | Reveal the murderer |
10:00 pm | Dessert, photographs and socialising |
Your game may have a different structure, so use its instructions to guide the timing of the investigation.
Finish with some fun awards
Once the murderer has been revealed, bring everyone together to celebrate the evening.
You could award small prizes for Best Dressed Suspect, Best Detective, Most Convincing Character or Most Dramatic Performance.
It's a fun way to recognise the people who embraced their roles and finish the evening on a high.
10. Your murder mystery dinner party checklist
Use this checklist when preparing your party.
Party preparation checklist
Before the party
Confirm the game supports your guest count
Purchase all the things you need / don’t have
Send invitations and character information (if necessary or desired)
Plan the menu and drinks
Prepare character name cards
Read the game instructions and organise clues
Set up the room
Arrange seating and tablecloths
Set out placemats, cutlery and name cards
Add candles and fairy lights
Prepare the evidence board
Set up the mugshot backdrop and camera
Arrange serving platters and glasses
Set up the letter board and music
On the night
Welcome guests and take photographs
Introduce the game and explain the rules
Serve food between investigation rounds
Reveal clues at the appropriate times
Collect final accusations
Reveal the murderer and present awards
An evening your guests will remember
A murder mystery dinner party is about more than solving a fictional crime.
It's about creating an opportunity for people to spend time together, laugh, have conversations they wouldn't usually have and enjoy something a little out of the ordinary.
You don't need to overcomplicate the planning or spend a fortune on decorations.
Choose a game that suits your group, set up a welcoming space, prepare food you can enjoy together and let your guests bring the experience to life.
Because the best part of hosting isn't creating a perfect event. It's creating an evening that everyone wants to talk about afterwards.
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