How to throw a 1920s murder mystery party

Why the 1920s theme works so well

Prohibition-era Chicago is the most popular murder mystery setting for a reason. The costumes are easy and flattering, the music is instantly recognizable, and a speakeasy is full of natural suspects: bootleggers, singers, bartenders, crooked cops and rich kids slumming it. Everyone has a secret, because in 1927 simply having a drink was a crime.

Costumes

• Easy: a fedora or flat cap, suspenders, a bow tie, a string of pearls or a feather headband. Any one of these counts.
• Committed: pinstripe suits, fringe dresses, spats, cigarette holders, fur stoles.
• Props: candy cigarettes, a toy tommy gun case, a deck of cards, a notebook for the reporter type.

Set the scene

• The door: tape a sign to your front door that reads "Flower Shop" and make guests say a password to get in. It sets the tone in seconds.
• The bar: any table with bottles, glasses and an ice bucket. That is where the body is found.
• Lighting: low, warm and golden. String lights and candles beat overhead lights every time.
• Music: hot jazz and ragtime from the 1920s, turned low enough to talk over.

Drinks and food

Serve drinks in teacups for a proper speakeasy touch. Classic 1920s cocktails include the Bee's Knees (gin, lemon and honey), the Gin Rickey and the Sidecar. Make an alcohol-free Bee's Knees with lemonade and honey syrup so everyone can join in. For food, think finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail and a platter of cheese and olives.

The game: Last Call at the Blue Lantern

Behind a flower shop on Clark Street, the Blue Lantern pours the best gin in Chicago. At eleven o'clock, owner Gus Harlow stopped the band and made an announcement: somebody in this room has been feeding the Prohibition agents, and at midnight Gus will name them. At 11:40 the lights went out. One shot. When the lights came back, Gus was dead behind the bar.

Every guest gets a private invitation link with their character and a costume idea. On the night, you announce a password for each act, and secrets and clues unlock on everyone's phone. It plays 6 to 12 people in about two hours and is included with the $12 Party Pass. On a budget? Death at the Hollowmoor Masquerade is free for up to 8 players.