What you need for a murder mystery dinner

A murder mystery dinner needs more than a menu and a few props. You will need enough tableware for each course, serving equipment, drinks, cooking tools and a clear place for the game materials. Plan quantities around your final guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages and spills. Fresh ingredients, chilled drinks and printed clues are the items most often left until the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 26
Buffet tableqty 2
Side tablesqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 30
Deep platesqty 30
Dessert platesqty 30
Water glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 5
Large cooking potsqty 3
Frying pansqty 2
Baking dishesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Corkscrewqty 2
Bottle openersqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 8
LED candlesqty 24

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 4
Napkin holdersqty 4
Name badgesqty 26
Costume accessoriesqty 26
Decorative propsqty 12
Red table runnersqty 4

Catering

Run sheets and game cardsqty 26
Envelopesqty 30
Pensqty 30
Ballot slipsqty 30
Groceries
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Leek - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 3 kg
- Ground beef - 2 kilogram
- Vegetarian mince - 750 grams
- Bacon cubes - 500 grams
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Tomato paste - 4 tubes
- Beef broth - 6 liters
- Vegetable broth - 3 liters
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Spaghetti - 3 kilogram
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Basil - 4 bunches
- Tiramisu - 24 portions
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Coffee beans - 1 kilogram
- Tea bags - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 48 cans
- Ice cubes - 5 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Tea towels - 6 pieces

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one deep plate, one dessert plate and one cutlery set per guest, plus two or three spare settings. Add one water glass and one wine glass per person if both will be used.
Allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per hour afterward. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep extra bottles in coolers.
Match cooking equipment to the menu before shopping. Check that you have enough large pots, frying pans, baking dishes, mixing bowls, measuring cups and serving platters for the courses you plan to serve.
Print one complete set of game cards, clues, scripts and instructions for every required role, then prepare two spare sets. Keep the printed materials dry and pack them separately from food and decorations.
Buy decorations and atmosphere lighting early, but collect fresh produce no more than 1 to 2 days before the dinner. Test the Bluetooth speaker, extension cords and power strips before setting the tables.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a murder mystery dinner?: You need food and drinks, tableware for every course, cooking and serving equipment, printed game materials, decorations and lighting. Prepare one complete place setting per guest and keep 2 or 3 spare settings available.
How much food and drink do I need for a murder mystery dinner?: Base food quantities on the number of confirmed guests and their dietary requirements, then add about 10% extra for unexpected portions. Plan 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour, followed by roughly 1 drink per hour.
When should I buy supplies for a murder mystery dinner?: Buy shelf-stable food, decorations, tableware and game supplies 3 to 7 days ahead. Collect fresh produce 1 to 2 days before the dinner and chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
How many game materials should I print?: Print one role card or clue set for each required participant, plus 2 spare sets. Pack scripts and instructions together and check every set at least 1 day before the dinner.

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