Murder mystery dinner party: menu ideas and a timing plan
Updated
The hardest part of hosting a dinner party is also being at it. A murder mystery makes that harder, because you do not want to miss the clue that cracks the case while you are plating dessert. A simple plan helps.
A timing plan for the evening
Here is a sample timeline for a two-hour game with a dinner around it. Adjust to suit your game and your group.
- Guests arrive: 30 minutes of drinks and snacks
- Everyone joins the game on their phones
- First round: introductions and the opening scene
- Main course served at the table, and play continues over the meal
- Free time to search, ask questions and challenge each other
- Dessert and coffee while the final round plays out
- Accusations and the reveal
Menu ideas that stay out of the way
Pick food that can be served in one go or in a few big dishes. A slow-cooked lamb or beef, a big pasta, a braai with sides, a curry with rice and sambals or a pie with salads all work. Starters can be on the table before guests sit. Desserts like malva pudding or a chilled tart can wait in the kitchen until you need them.
Drinks
Set up a self-serve drinks table. Include a non-alcoholic option that looks as good as the wine. Remember that people need to read their phones and make decisions, so a flowing bar might be a bad idea for the first hour.
Let guests help
A potluck-style evening takes the load off you. Assign each guest a dish or a drink when you invite them, and the table is half set before you start.
Quick answers
Should we eat before or during the game?
Either works. Eating during the game keeps the conversation going and means you are not waiting for dinner while the story runs. Keep food simple enough to eat with one hand.