What to buy for a murder mystery dinner

A murder mystery dinner needs more than a meal: guests also need role information, clues, table settings and a few visible story details. Use this shopping list to check the dining tables, plates, glasses, serving equipment and themed props before shopping. Plan quantities from your confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for breakage, spills and unexpected guests. Buy or prepare anything that must be chilled, printed or assembled at least one day before the dinner.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 24
Buffet table
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 24
Dessert platesqty 24
Soup bowlsqty 24
Water glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 24
Dinner cutleryqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's equipment
Serving plattersqty 8
Dessert serving traysqty 4
Hot traysqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 5
Napkinsqty 30
Name badgesqty 24
Table décorqty 5
Candlesqty 24
Candlesticksqty 6
Decorative spider websqty 3
Threat letter cardsqty 24
Red envelopesqty 24
Fake bloodqty 2
Magnifying glassesqty 6
Polaroid camera

Equipment

Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Chargersqty 2

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 3
Spare batteriesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Towelsqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken breast - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian chicken pieces - 1 kilogram
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Onions - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Leek - 1 kilogram
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Celery - 1 bunch
- Potatoes - 3 kg
- Green beans - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Fresh parsley - 3 bunches
- Fresh thyme - 2 bunches
- Butter - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Crème fraîche - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Grated cheese - 500 gram
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Baguettes - 4 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Vanilla ice cream - 3 liters
- Red fruit - 1.5 kilogram
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 3 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Chips - 6 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 3 pairs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls

Tips

Count place settings against your confirmed registrations: prepare one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass and full set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% spare settings.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour after that. Chill the first round in advance and keep extra bottles in coolers.
Prepare one envelope and one printed role description for every character, then print clue cards separately so missing or damaged cards do not disrupt the investigation.
Buy the themed details early, especially red envelopes, threat letter cards, fake blood, candles and decorative spider webs. These are easy to forget and harder to replace on the day.
Check serving capacity before cooking: you need enough platters, serving spoons, hot trays and dessert trays for the menu, and a coffee maker or kettle for the final course.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a murder mystery dinner?: Plan food and drinks for every confirmed guest, plus plates, bowls if serving soup, glasses, cutlery and serving equipment. You will also need role descriptions, clue cards, envelopes and a few story-themed decorations such as threat letters or fake blood.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a murder mystery dinner?: Allow one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass and set of dinner cutlery per guest. Add roughly 10% spare items, so a dinner for 20 people needs 22 of each frequently used place-setting item.
How much food and drink should I buy for a murder mystery dinner?: Base the meal on one full dinner portion per guest, including dessert, and check dietary requirements before shopping. For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and about one per person for each additional hour.
When should I shop for a murder mystery dinner?: Buy non-perishable food, decorations and printing supplies three to seven days ahead. Shop for fresh ingredients one or two days before, chill drinks the day before, and prepare vegetables and dessert far enough in advance to avoid rushing before guests arrive.

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