Plan The Best Murder
Mystery Party In Minneapolis

You choose your own venue — a restaurant private room, an office, a backyard, or a rented event space. If you're not sure where to start, our planning team can point you toward venues in Minneapolis that have worked well for groups your size.

As early as possible, especially for weekend dates and the holiday season when demand is highest. That said, if you have a last-minute event, reach out anyway — we'll do our best to accommodate.

We have nine themes to choose from, ranging from classic whodunits to more comedic formats. You can browse all available themes at murdermysteryco.com/themes. Themes cannot be customized, but actors can incorporate verbal references to your group — inside jokes, company names, the guest of honor — without changing the script.

We recommend against it. The show is interactive, and guests who don't know what they're walking into can find the suspect role assignment jarring rather than fun. Telling people in advance builds anticipation and leads to a better experience for everyone in the room — including the birthday person or guest of honor you're trying to surprise.

The killer is kept secret from everyone — including the hosts — until the reveal at the end. Only the actors know. This protects the mystery for you as much as for your guests.

Yes. If there's someone you'd like to highlight — a birthday guest, a retiring colleague, a willing friend — let the actors know when they arrive, and they'll work that person into a suspect role.

Everything needed to run the show: suspect binders and character materials, clue sheets and note sheets for every table, costume pieces and props for guest suspects, pens, Murder Mystery Company money for in-show bribery, and end-of-night awards. Larger packages include a sound system with a themed music playlist. You provide the space and the food.

Costumes are encouraged but never required. Dressing to the theme tends to make the evening more fun, and it gives guests something to do in the lead-up to the event. Promotional materials with theme-specific costume suggestions are available — just ask your planning team.

The show runs at a PG-10 to PG-13 level. There's no swearing or graphic content, but the scripts include innuendo and adult situations that may not be suitable for younger children. Families do attend, and children are welcome at a parent's discretion — though most guests are 18 and up. There is no separate kids' menu or adjusted ticket pricing for children.

The actors need enough open floor space to move freely, perform the show, and — yes — stage a death safely. The ideal setup is tables along the perimeter with an open center. No stage required. The actors will adapt to most room configurations as long as every guest has a clear sightline and the room is private.

Yes. A semi-private section of a restaurant or an open event space with foot traffic nearby creates too many interruptions for the show to land properly. A room with walls and a door is the baseline requirement.

Plan for three to four hours total: one hour for actor setup before guests arrive, thirty minutes of pre-show mingle time, two hours for the show itself, and some time at the end for photos, cleanup, and the post-show wind-down.

If your venue or schedule requires it, the show can be condensed to around ninety minutes. This doesn't include setup or mingle time. Let your planning team know about any timing constraints when you book.

The show is built around a meal — eating during the performance is expected, not disruptive. For a plated dinner, the general rhythm is appetizers during mingle time, main course after the first act, and dessert during or after the final act. For a buffet, have it open before the show starts so guests can eat while getting settled. Your planning team can help you map out a timeline that works with your caterer or venue.

We work with whatever food situation you arrange. If you're booking a private room at a Minneapolis restaurant, we'll coordinate with their service timeline. If you're handling catering separately, we'll work around your setup.

Three things: a table near the performance area for props and binders, a private space for a quick mid-show costume change, and an open performance area with enough room for the actors to move. Everything else comes with the actors.

Anyone who will physically be at the event and can answer questions or help if something comes up. The actors will check in with this person on the day of the show.

Yes. We cover Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, including St. Paul, Stillwater, Maple Grove, Elk River, and Bloomington.

It's one of the better formats for it because the show creates a shared task that doesn't feel like a team-building exercise. People collaborate, compete, and interact across the usual office hierarchies without anyone having to announce that this is meant to be bonding. Minneapolis companies across industries book private events for exactly this reason.

The detective reveals the killer, winners are announced, and awards go out — Best Suspect, Best Dressed, Detectives of the Night, and a few others, including one surprise award that the actors keep quiet until the moment. After that, the actors make themselves available for photos before breaking down and packing up.

Fill out the inquiry form at murdermysterydinnerminneapolis.com and our Minneapolis planning team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss your event.

A Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show is a live, interactive dining experience where you enjoy dinner while professional actors perform a hilarious murder mystery all around you. Guests work together to question suspects, gather clues, and solve the crime before the killer is revealed.

Our Twin Cities Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are held in Stillwater, MN. Visit our upcoming events page for current locations, dates, and themes.

Yes. Every ticket includes a delicious dinner served throughout the interactive show. Beverage purchases may be available separately through the venue.

The complete experience lasts approximately 2 to 2½ hours, including dinner service and the full interactive performance.

No. Participation is completely optional and happens at your own comfort level. Some guests enjoy questioning suspects and discussing clues with their table, while others simply watch the mystery unfold. If you're selected to play a suspect, our professional actors guide you every step of the way.

Yes! Some guests are invited to play suspects during the mystery. If selected, you'll receive simple character information and light costume pieces. Our professional actors guide you throughout the experience, making it easy, fun, and comfortable—even for first-time guests.

No. We believe every guest should have the same opportunity to participate. Unlike some murder mystery companies, we never charge extra to become a suspect or victim. Every ticket offers the same interactive experience because everyone has an equal chance to become part of the mystery.

Only if you want to. Most guests participate by questioning suspects, discussing clues, and solving the mystery with their table. If you're selected as a suspect, our professional actors guide you through every step, making the experience fun and easy.

Yes! It's often described as a live-action version of the classic mystery game Clue. You'll question suspects, gather clues, compare theories, and work with your fellow detectives to identify the killer before the final reveal.

No. Our actors perform throughout the room rather than on a traditional stage, interacting directly with guests and bringing the mystery to life all around you. You'll become part of the investigation from the moment the evening begins.

Absolutely. Our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are one of the Twin Cities' most unique date night experiences, combining dinner, comedy, mystery, and audience participation for a memorable night out.

Yes! Many guests celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions during our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows. It's a fun way to enjoy dinner, solve a mystery, and celebrate with family and friends.

Absolutely. Many guests attend on their own. Whether you arrive solo, with a date, or as part of a larger group, you'll naturally interact with your table during the investigation, making it easy to meet people and enjoy the experience.

No. The mystery unfolds throughout the evening, and the killer isn't revealed until the exciting finale after guests have had the opportunity to investigate, question suspects, and make their accusations. Nobody knows who the true killer is—not even the guest playing the killer.

Every show features different themes, characters, suspects, and storylines. Combined with audience interaction and improvisation, every performance offers a fresh mystery to solve.

Absolutely. Most of our guests are attending for the first time. Our professional actors explain everything as the mystery unfolds, making it easy to join the investigation and enjoy the experience from the moment you arrive.

Costumes are encouraged but never required. Many guests enjoy dressing to match the evening's theme, while others attend in casual or business casual attire. Wear whatever helps you have the most fun.

Yes. Our Twin Cities Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are a popular choice for birthdays, date nights, anniversaries, family outings, and group celebrations. Working together to solve the mystery makes the experience perfect for groups of all sizes.