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Best Murder Mystery Events In Los Angeles

Looking for a unique dinner experience? Those fond of both good food and murder-mystery TV shows like "Law and Order," may find a perfect combination in what the murder-mystery dinner companies around town offer. Popular destinations for birthdays, anniversaries and company celebrations, they provide the opportunity to solve a crime while cutting into a good steak and doing so with plenty of laughs. Consider the following places when planning an evening meant to be remembered.

Murder Mystery USA
(credit: Murder Mystery USA/Facebook)

Keith & Margo's Murder Mystery Dinner
Matteo's Restaurant
2321 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(818) 785-7700
murdermystery.com

Price: $68
Dates: See schedule here

For those who want to attend a "comicide," meaning a homicide with a lot of laughs, Keith & Margo's Murder Mystery Dinner may be your best choice. Open since 1985, this entertainment company boasts being the original of its genre, and a quote from the LA Times distinguishes it as "the most professional." The ticket price includes a salad, entrée, dessert, coffee, gratuity and an evening that puts you in the middle of a homicide investigation. After checking-in, you need not to tell the truth about anything anymore. This experience opens up an opportunity to have a new name, a new life story, sit at a table with potential criminals and perhaps even go home with a prize at the end of the night.

Related: Most Unusual Restaurants In Los Angeles

The Dinner Detective
(credit: The Dinner Detective/Facebook)

The Dinner Detective
Culver's Jazz Club (inside Double Tree by Hilton)
6161 W Centinela Ave
Culver City, CA 90301
(866) 496-0535
thedinnerdetective.com

Price: $62.95
Dates: See schedule here

A popular show with dates that sell out well ahead of time, The Dinner Detective has been commended for its witty improvisations, high energy and spunk. The actors are improvisation comedians who have previously performed at events like the Chicago Improv Festival, the Los Angeles Improv Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This show is unique in that those in the audience are also suspects. Here, more is involved than just solving a murder. You might be the one blamed for the crime.

Murder Mystery Dinner LA
(credit: grimpov.com)

The Murder Mystery Co.
Candela's Taco Lounge and Bar
831 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(888) 643-2583
grimprov.com

Price: $60
Dates: See schedule here

There is nothing that will disturb a meal as much as seeing your server fall over dead. That is exactly what happens at Candela's Taco Lounge and Bar the days that The Murder Mystery Company takes over. For the ticket price, those in attendance are entertained by solving a mystery while also enjoying a three-course dinner that includes a salad, steak or chicken fajitas and Candela's famous churros. The show is interactive, fun and recommended for groups – from small birthday parties to company gatherings.

Related: Best Restaurants To Celebrate Your Anniversary

Gourmet Detective
(credit: gourmetdetective.com)

Gourmet Detective
The Avila Terrace Theater
3663 Main St
Riverside, CA 92501
(866) 992-5424
gourmetdetective.com

Price: $69
Dates: See schedule here

Gourmet Detective is most proud of its professionally-scripted comedy and musical performances. While other mystery dinners take an improvisation approach to the presentation, this theater-house's actors learn and rehearse the play to provide the best possible performance to patrons. Gourmet Detective opened its doors in 1990 and is proud that the passing of time is testifying to the quality of its show and service. Walking through the door means joining a fantasy into which you are immediately welcomed by the actors and surrounded by a world that will fill your senses throughout the evening. To top off the experience, the kitchen serves chicken, beef, salmon and vegetarian dishes that are bound to satisfy everyone's appetite. Gourmet Detective has a second theater-house in Newport Beach as well.

Sharpo Murder Mystery
(credit: sharpo.com)

Sharpo! Murder Mystery
(818) 909-9605
sharpo.com

Price: $49 - $65
Dates: See schedule here

Sharpo! Murder Mystery encourages patrons to find a restaurant or a home and invite them to provide the entertainment. However, they often find that smaller groups like to collaborate with others to share costs and extend the number of suspects. In such instances, Sharpo opens up the activity as a public dinner-show in which anyone can participate. The dinner shows are scheduled at various locations, once or twice each month. The locations are announced months in advance on the website listed above. The company's Mock Murder Trial is boasted as the only of its kind in Los Angeles, giving patrons an opportunity to frame a friend as a suspect or have them called to the witness stand for tons of fun.

Dena Burroughs is a freelance writer living in Azusa, CA. She is a CSULA graduate with specialties in Creative Writing and Communications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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