If you’re looking to step back into the Roaring Twenties, Buena Park has a new secret hidden right in the same building as the iconic Pirates Dinner Adventure. Speakeasy Murder has officially made its way from a successful year-long run in Florida to Southern California, bringing an evening of jazz, suspense, and interactive intrigue to the stage.

The immersion kicks off the very moment you arrive. To gain entry, you’ll need to whisper a secret password to pass through a hidden door. Once inside, the venue transforms into a classic 1920s speakeasy complete with a bar, a central stage, themed photo ops, and merch station.

Dressing up in period attire is highly encouraged, and it truly adds to the vibe. What sets this experience apart is how roaming characters immediately blend into the crowd, chatting up tables and dropping hints before the show even officially begins.

Keep an eye on your table! You’ll find a stash of fake money meant for bribing the characters for clues. Want to pad your pockets? You can score extra cash just by following their social media pages.

The entire first act has a slow-burn setup. You’ll spend a good chunk of time getting to know the characters, tracking their complicated relationships, and watching a few musical performances. They also do a great job of pulling audience members right into the spotlight for a few unexpected on-stage moments.

Once the inevitable murder takes place, the show heads into intermission, giving you prime time to mingle with the cast, cross-examine suspects, and trade your bribe money for crucial information. The night wraps up with a fun finale where the audience votes on the true killer via an old-school “applause meter” leading to a dramatic confession.

The venue shines when it comes to hospitality. They were incredibly accommodating with dietary preferences and allergies, making the dining experience entirely stress-free. While the main course was standard dinner theater fare, the New York-style cheesecake for dessert was an absolute standout. To top it off, their bar is fully loaded with a fantastic variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to keep the drinks flowing all night.

Speakeasy Murder delivers exactly what you want out of a fun, interactive night out. While the production leans into the campy, familiar territory traditional to dinner theater acting rather than high-brow drama, the entire cast is incredibly dedicated, energetic, and warm.