Talk to a real person Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows in Chicago
Join us for a night of mystery, murder, and laughter at an upcoming public dinner theater show in Chicago. Open to all — no group needed!
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Palm Court in Arlington Heights
🅿️ Parking: Street Parking only. To get to Palm Court from Downtown Chicago: Get on I-90 W (Kennedy Expressway). Follow I-90 W toward the suburbs and merge onto IL-53 N toward Palatine. Exit at Palatine Rd East. Follow E Palatine Rd to the intersection with N Arlington Heights Rd. The restaurant is on the NW corner.
🚌 Transit: Take the Metra Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) line. Head to Ogilvie Transportation Center (Madison & Canal St) in the West Loop. Board a UP-NW train toward Harvard or Crystal Lake - make sure it stops at Arlington Heights. The ride is roughly 35–45 minutes depending on the service. Get off at Arlington Heights station (on South Dunton Ave). From the station, Palm Court is about a 5–10 minute walk northwest. Head north on Dunton, then west along the downtown Arlington Heights streets - it's right in the heart of the downtown area near Vail Ave and Campbell St.
Three-Course Meal
Enjoy a full dinner while the mystery unfolds around your table.
Live Performance
Professional actors perform a hilarious whodunit right in the room.
You Solve the Crime
Interrogate suspects, gather clues, and submit your final accusation.
Two Hours of Fun
Shows run approximately two to two and a half hours including dinner.
Good to Know
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before showtime. This gives you time to get settled, grab a drink, and meet our mystery experts.
Dress the Part
We encourage guests to dress according to the show theme — it makes the night more fun! Business casual works too if you prefer.
Drinks & Gratuity
Drinks and gratuity are not included in your ticket price. Please plan accordingly and tip your servers well!
Large Groups
Coming with a big group? Purchase all tickets together to ensure everyone is seated at the same tables.
Straight from Off-Broadway. Now open in Chicago!
Is this the dinner show everyone is dying to attend in the Chicago area? Experience an unforgettable evening of laughter, suspense, and immersive entertainment with The Murder Mystery Company’s Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows at Palm Court Restaurant in Arlington Heights.
Created by Shark Tank Winner Scott Cramton, founder of The Murder Mystery Company. The Producer of the award-winning Off-Broadway immersive murder mystery Speakeasy Die Softly brings this unique form of entertainment to Chi-Town. This interactive theatrical experience combines a delicious three-course dinner with a hilarious live mystery where the audience cracks the case..
This is the murder mystery you and your loved ones have always wanted to go to. Imagine being part of a live-action murder mystery, where the killer could be anybody… even you. Our professional immersive actors guide you through the game, letting you play at your own pace, so introverts and extroverts still have the best time. Every performance is filled with unexpected twists, shady suspects, and one deadly question…
Can you catch the killer before they strike again?
What Happens During a Public Murder Mystery Dinner Show?
From the moment you arrive at Palm Court Restaurant, you’ll step into a world where nothing is quite what it seems.
Some outgoing guests become suspects in the evening’s mystery, complete with character details and light costume pieces. Everyone else joins the investigation as detectives working with their table teams to question suspects, examine evidence, and uncover clues. The winning table will each receive a custom Detective of the Night award certificate.
Our professional “Immersioneers” guide your team through the game. Making it a fun, stress-free experience that highlights more outgoing people while allowing wallflowers to enjoy spending time with their table team. It’s the perfect balance for introverts and extroverts.
More Than Dinner. An Interactive Experience.
Your ticket includes:
- A professionally produced live Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show
- A delicious three-course dinner at Palm Court Restaurant
- The ability to participate in a thrilling game of murder, mystery, and intrigue that is taking Broadway by storm.
- An amazing excuse to dress up!
- An evening unlike anything else in the Chicago area
No two performances are exactly alike.
The audience changes.
The suspects change.
The accusations change.
The laughter never does.
Perfect For Date Nights, Birthdays, and Group Outings
Whether you’re celebrating a Birthday, planning an unforgettable Date Night, gathering with friends, entertaining out-of-town visitors, or simply searching for one of the most unique things to do near Chicago, our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows deliver an experience you’ll be talking about long after the killer is revealed.
It’s no surprise guests return again and again to experience our ever-changing themes and mysteries.
New Themes Throughout the Year
Every month features a different mystery filled with new suspects, fresh storylines, hilarious characters, and exciting surprises.
Travel from a glamorous Billionaire’s Masquerade Ball to a 1920s Mafia Wedding, an Old Hollywood gala, an ’80s Battle of the Bands, a Wedding Gone Wrong, or a festive Holiday Party.
Costumes are always encouraged—but never required.
Why Guests Love The Murder Mystery Company
For more than two decades, The Murder Mystery Company has been creating immersive mystery entertainment enjoyed by millions of guests across the country.
Founded by Shark Tank Winner Scott Cramton, our productions combine professional actors, interactive storytelling, comedy, and audience participation to create an experience unlike traditional dinner theater.
That’s why we’re known as:
The Experts in Mystery Entertainment.
And why every performance becomes:
The Event Everyone is Dying to Attend.
Reserve Your Seats
Seats are limited for every performance at Palm Court Restaurant in Arlington Heights.
Reserve your tickets today and discover why our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows have become one of the Chicago area’s most unforgettable nights out.
A Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Show is a live, interactive theatrical experience where you enjoy a three-course dinner while professional actors perform a hilarious murder mystery all around you. Every guest becomes part of the investigation by questioning suspects, uncovering clues, and working together to catch the killer before they strike again.
Our Chicago-area Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are held at Palm Court Restaurant in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Yes. Every ticket includes a delicious three-course dinner served throughout the interactive show. Beverage purchases are available separately through the restaurant's bar.
The complete experience lasts approximately 2 to 2½ hours, including dinner service and the full interactive performance.
Not at all! Have fun how YOU want to have fun! Participation is easy and different for everyone. Some will simply question suspects or talk about the entire crime with their tablemates. Others will be suspects, perhaps even the killer! The level of participation is up to you; regardless, it will be the time of your life.
Yes! Selected guests may be invited to portray suspects during the performance. If chosen, you'll receive simple character information and light costume pieces to help bring your role to life. This is a stressful experience, and ultimately playing a suspect is incredibly fun and easy.
If you want to! If not… not. If you're selected and want to participate. Even if you become a suspect, our professional actors guide you every step of the way, making the experience fun and comfortable.
No. A little over 50% of the guests come in costume. However, there is no pressure to do so. This is about having fun, so costumes are completely optional. Guests often enjoy dressing to match each month's new theme to make it a more immersive experience and… for some great photo ops.
No. Our themes change throughout the year, giving returning guests new characters, new stories, and new mysteries to solve.
They are never gory or scary. Our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are designed to be comedic, interactive, and suspenseful. Expect lots of laughter, outrageous characters, clever surprises, and an exciting mystery.
Yes! In many ways, it’s like a live-action version of the classic mystery game Clue. You'll question suspects, gather clues, and solve the crime. Every mystery is brought to life by professional actors performing all around you in a fully immersive theatrical experience.
No. Our actors perform throughout the room, interacting directly with guests and bringing the mystery to life. There are acts done generally in Theater-of-the-round, but the action is truly everywhere around you all night.
Absolutely. Our Public Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Shows are among the Chicago area's most unique date-night experiences, combining dinner, comedy, audience participation, and an unforgettable mystery.
Yes! Many guests celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions while enjoying an evening of mystery, laughter, and great food. There is even a special song we will perform!
Yes. a lot of people do this solo! Whether you come alone, with a date, or as part of a group, you'll work together 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 and make their accusations. Nobody knows who the true killer is, including the true killer.
Every show features different themes, characters, suspects, and storylines. Combined with audience interaction and improvisation, no two performances ever feel exactly alike.
Absolutely. Most guests are attending for the first time. Our actors guide everyone through the experience, making it easy to jump into the mystery and have fun from the moment you arrive.
Host a Murder Mystery Party!
Leave us a few clues about your upcoming event.