1920s Murder Mystery Party Plan: How to Host a Speakeasy Night

A 1920s murder mystery party kit does most of the hard work for you: the story, the characters and the clues. What's left is the fun part, turning your living room into a Roaring Twenties speakeasy for one night. This plan walks you through the timeline, the setup and the running order, using our printable kit as the example.

The kit we use for this plan: Last Call at the Brass Cuckoo. It's New Year's Eve, 1929, and behind the back wall of a little clock-repair shop hides the city's most glamorous speakeasy. The owner has promised a big announcement at midnight, then is found in the back office. It's a murder mystery for grown-ups, and nothing gory is ever described. It's for 6 to 16 players, plus a host who runs the game and isn't a suspect. Get Last Call at the Brass Cuckoo on Etsy See what's inside, plus a peek at the invitation, on our New Year's Eve murder mystery game page.

Your planning timeline

Three to four weeks before: pick your night. The story is set on New Year's Eve, but you can plan it for any Roaring Twenties night. Decide who will host, since the host runs the game and isn't a suspect.
About two weeks before: send the invitation. The kit has a full invitation and a short text-message version, so you can mail it, email it or text it.
About a week before: confirm your guest count and choose your cast. The host guide tells you exactly which characters to cast for 6 to 16 players. Send each guest their own character packet with the note that comes with the kit.
A few days before: print the name tags, suspect notebooks, accusation slips and vote slips, and keep the sealed solution to yourself. Plan your drinks, snacks and music.

Setting the speakeasy scene

Start at the door. The invitation tells guests to knock three times at the clock-repair shop and give the password. Tape a hand-lettered shop sign to your front door and greet everyone at a "secret door".
Dim the lights. Lamps, candles in jars and string lights do more than overhead lighting.
Add clocks. Any clocks you own make a nod to the shop out front, and they keep everyone watching the time before midnight.
Set up a bar table. Giggle water is optional: offer cocktails or mocktails, and label a zero-proof option so nobody has to ask.

How to run the night

Pick your timeline. The host guide has two ready-made timelines, about 3 hours or about 2 hours. Choose before the party and work back from midnight.
Open the case. Read the rules and the opening script from the host guide, and let each guest read their character's intro.
Three rounds of clues. Reveal each round, then give guests time to mingle, question each other and take notes in their suspect notebook. The character packets tell each player what to reveal and when.
The accusation round. Everyone names a suspect on an accusation slip.
The reveal. Read the reveal script from the sealed solution just before midnight.
Countdown and toast. Use the optional midnight countdown and toast script to ring in 1930, then hand out vote slips for best costume, best performance and sharpest detective.

Hosting tips

Costumes for everyone. Every character can be played by anyone. Player text uses names rather than "he" or "she", and each costume idea works with a dress or a suit. Feather headbands, beads, suspenders, bow ties and flat caps all fit.
Keep the solution sealed. Don't open it until it's time for the reveal, even if you're tempted.
Some guests far away? It works on a video call too, and the host guide includes tips for playing over video, including breakout rooms and private chat.

Planning a New Year's Eve with kids around too? Our New Year's Eve games for the whole family guide covers an all-ages night.

Quick answers

Is the kit really set in the 1920s?

Yes. Last Call at the Brass Cuckoo is set on New Year's Eve, 1929, in a speakeasy hidden behind a clock-repair shop, and the optional toast rings in 1930.

How many players does it need?

6 to 16 players, plus a host who runs the game and isn't a suspect. The host guide tells you which characters to cast for your group size.

How long does the party take?

The host guide has two ready-made timelines: about 3 hours or about 2 hours.

Do guests need to drink alcohol?

No. Giggle water is optional: the host guide suggests cocktails or mocktails, so a zero-proof party works just as well.

Can we play on a video call?

Yes. It works in person or on a video call, and the host guide includes tips for playing over video, including breakout rooms and private chat.

Ready to host?

The kit is 5 printable PDF files, 50 pages in all, sized for US Letter. It's an instant download, and nothing is shipped.

Get Last Call at the Brass Cuckoo on Etsy