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There’s just something about the Roaring Twenties that makes us want to gather our friends, dress up in 20s costumes and solve a murder mystery, and 1920s home parties are our most popular murder mystery theme for a reason – Speakeasy parties are just a whole heck of a lot of fun. Our Roaring 20s murder mystery party games are best-sellers year after year, and you, as the host, can bring so much creativity to your prohibition party!

But just what was a “Speakeasy”? Here’s a super quick history lesson!

The term “Speakeasy” emerged during the Prohibition era in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933. This period saw the nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. To circumvent these restrictions, clandestine bars and nightclubs began to pop up across the country. The term “Speakeasy” is believed to have originated from the practice of patrons and bartenders speaking quietly, or “easily,” about these illegal establishments to avoid detection by law enforcement. In these hidden venues, customers were often instructed to “speak easy” when ordering drinks to avoid drawing attention. Over time, the term “Speakeasy” became synonymous with the secretive, underground bars that provided a haven for those looking to enjoy a drink and socialize away from the prying eyes of the authorities. These establishments became iconic symbols of the Roaring 20s, embodying the era’s spirit of rebellion, innovation, and social change.

It’s one of our favourite murder mystery party themes, and years ago, we connected with a local business, The Speakcheasy, and with the owners, Bekki and Jessi, started throwing 1920s themed murder mystery events in their prohibition-themed lounge!

This space is inspiring, and recently SHOT’s Creative Director, Leigh Clements, sat down with Speakcheasy Co-owner Bekki Martin to get the inside scoop on setting up your space in grand speakeasy fashion, so you can set the scene for your guests to feel as though they have stepped back in time to the 20s at your murder mystery party at home!

The Speakcheasy is a 1920s prohibition era lounge with authentic cocktails located in Barrie, Ontario. It’s located in under Bekki and Jessi’s amazing cheese and chocolate shop, called J’adore! We at SHOT use The Speakcheasy as our primary location to throw murder mystery events locally, and Bekki is an expert on bringing the 1920s era to life. One of their most popular cocktails is the Smoked Old Fashioned. This bourbon-based drink is placed under a glass dome and a ‘smoking gun’ (LOVING that term), burns woodchips and fills the dome with smoke.

Part of the appeal is that you can walk downstairs into a bit of a smokey haze, reminiscent of an old cigar lounge. Picture this; a gangster puffing on a stogie while swirling an amber liquid in a short glass.

Want to get that same 1920s feel for your roaring twenties party? Here are 10 tips for designing your home speakeasy from Bekki at The Speak and Leigh from SHOT!

A mural or a backdrop can instantly change the vibe of your space. Exposed brick is a good start. There are faux brick panels you can get at Home Depot if you’re looking to create something a bit more permanent. These are almost like cardboard and you stick them up to get the look of a brick wall. Or you can get peel-and-stick wallpaper and photo backdrops.

Pro Tip: Add vintage posters or art deco frames to enhance the 1920s aesthetic.

The Speakcheasy uses ‘Wanted’ signs and photos of gangsters to give an authentic feel. Old newspaper clippings are also a great option. Al Capone’s rules can easily be printed off and taped up for the evening. If you haven’t heard of Al Capone’s Rules, it’s time for another quick history lesson – you’ll find a quick history on Al Capone on the right!

You can also take it a step further and give your guests a selfie station or photo booth where they can actually be in a wanted poster or a suspect line-up. We are huge fans of a good suspect line-up wall as a backdrop for amazing photos of your guests at your roaring 20s party. You can easily get one for your party on Amazon here!

During the Prohibition era in the 1920s, speakeasies were illicit establishments that sold alcoholic beverages, often under the control of organized crime figures like Al Capone. To maintain order and avoid drawing unwanted attention from law enforcement, speakeasies operated under a set of informal but widely recognized rules. Al Capone’s Speakeasy Rules were a reflection of the need for discretion, respect, and quick thinking in these secretive venues. These rules included guidelines such as “Confine Your Flirting To The Pro Skirts, Leave Other Men’s Squeezes Alone,” which underscored the importance of avoiding conflicts over romantic interests, and “In The Event Of A Raid By The Coppers, Drink Fast,” highlighting the ever-present threat of police raids and the need for patrons to quickly conceal their activities. These rules not only ensured a smooth operation but also contributed to the mystique and allure of the speakeasy culture, making them a fascinating aspect of the Roaring 20s.

In the 20s, lighting was much different than our modern halogen and LED-fuelled interior lighting. You want to create a dim lighting that can be found through table lamps or candles. Switching out your bulbs for Edison Bulbs is a quick and easy way to create the 20s atmosphere, and these days, they can be found all over, like here!

The Speakcheasy used antique stores to find cool, used lamps.

Pro Tip: Use string lights with vintage-style bulbs to add a warm, inviting glow to your space.

The easiest way to set the scene is to turn on some music, and let’s be honest, the music you play can make or break the party. We tend to go for Electro Swing, which is fun because it marries the 20s sound with an upbeat feeling that we, a century later, relate to. I find that whenever I use electroswing at an event, people start moving and dancing without even thinking about it – definitely the vibe you want at your 20s party!

Pro Tip: Create a playlist mixing classic 1920s jazz with modern remixes to keep the energy high, or use one that already exists. We have our own Spotify playlist that is our go-to for all twenties events!

Dressing up can be so much fun! Bekki has used a rental place to find the long gloves, the boas and the feathers. Other options for costumes are to go to a thrift shop, or put a post out to your social media network. And, of course, there’s always Amazon!

What’s great about speakeasies is they were all the different socio-economic stations getting together and partying because of prohibition and the war breaking down social barriers. So your costume can be classy with a faux fur stole, or an untapered flapper dress. For men it is a little bit easier. Think pin-striped suits and most definitely a fedora!

Pro Tip: Encourage guests to add small details like pocket watches, suspenders, and vintage jewelry to complete their look. Sometimes, the most interesting stories come out of the small details! We threw at an event at the Speakcheasy recently and one of the suspects actually wore a pair of shoes identical to the shoes her grandmother wore. It was such a cool story, to hear of how this guest tracked down the original manufacturer to get a pair for herself.

If you don’t have a secret entrance (because who does?), do whatever you can to get people inside your home or event space in an interesting way. You can disguise the door, use a back entrance or provide a password to gain entry. Anything that feels secretive or forbidden is on theme for a secret speakeasy.

Pro Tip: Use a bookshelf or a curtain to create a hidden entrance for an added element of surprise. If you can’t do something like that, make people use a secret knock to get in, or give your guests a password for the evening that they have to give someone at the door to be allowed entry.

Making gin-based cocktails is a must for a prohibition party. For those who don’t want to serve alcohol, or to give your guests a non-alcoholic option, there are plenty of great non-alcoholic gins out there these days, so you can stay on theme with options to suit all your guests. What you serve the gin in though… that can be unique. The Speakcheasy recommends tea cups, which is authentic to the era.

Ooh I feel another quick history lesson coming on…

With people drinking from tea cups, if the cops raided a speakeasy, the patrons appeared to simply be drinking a cup of tea, giving the owners of the establishment the chance to pay off the coppers, hide the booze or simply deny that anything illegal was going on. So, provide your guests with a signature drink in a mismatched china tea cup, ideally from a local thrift shop. Cheers!

Pro Tip: Create a signature cocktail menu with fun 1920s-inspired names and ingredients.

Opt for vintage or vintage-inspired furniture. Think velvet couches, wooden chairs, and ornate tables. Flea markets and antique stores are great places to find unique pieces.

Pro Tip: Add throw pillows and blankets with art deco patterns to tie everything together.

Props can add a lot of character to your speakeasy. Think vintage phones, typewriters, gramophones, and old books. These can be sourced from thrift stores, antique shops or ordered online.

Pro Tip: Set up a small bar area with vintage bar stools and glassware to enhance the authenticity.

Finally, don’t forget the overall atmosphere. Encourage guests to speak in 1920s slang if they are comfortable. Hire a jazz band (even from your local high school) a swing dancer for entertainment. Even better, give your guests dance lessons. Before we officially began The Sly Mr. Foxx recently at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs, we had some dance pros come in to teach everyone how to dance to the music of the 20s. It was amazing, broke the ice between all the out-of-town guests and added another element that simply wow’d everyone, who still talk about the event today!

Pro Tip: Use scented candles or diffusers with scents like tobacco, leather, or whiskey to add another layer of immersion.

A huge thanks to Bekki from The Speakcheasy for sharing her own tips and tricks for setting the scene for a prohibition-era party! Creating a speakeasy in your home is not only a fun and exciting way to step back in time, but it’s also easier than you might think. With the tips and tricks we’ve shared, you can transform any space into a 1920s, prohibition bar. From setting the perfect backdrop and lighting to crafting authentic cocktails and encouraging guests to dress the part, these elements will help you throw a party that captures the spirit of the Roaring 20s. So, gather your friends, cue up a jazz playlist and enjoy a night of mystery no one will ever forget!