The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Milwaukee, WI — Local services in Milwaukee

I’m so conflicted about this show. I’m giving five stars because I’m rounding up from a 4.5. Five would be perfect, and it wasn’t - but it was close.

First the bad.

We were told to arrive 15 minutes early, but they didn’t open the doors for an additional five minutes. If you tell me to be early, then you should be ready for me.

The advance notices clearly state, in no uncertain terms, that there is a dress code, and those arriving in shorts, hats or t-shirts would literally “be turned away at the door.” But two men flaunting EXACTLY the banned “outfit” were admitted without a second glance. Their attire didn’t bother me and I’m not advocating their banishment, but I'm questioning the strict wording. If rules are meant to be broken, then why have the rules?

Bring a cover-up; the room is chilly.

I’m not sure why we are being asked to tip the actors. $70 tickets surely include more than the cost of the meal. I’m paying to see a show. In this case, the actors ARE the show, so presumably they are already making a salary above minimum wage, which is the level tips are supposed to supplement. If they aren’t getting a fair salary, raise the ticket prices. I left a tip, but I wonder if it was the right amount. No guidelines exist for actor tips.

Lastly, I am never surprised to be asked to write a review. But I was shocked to be informed that there was an actual enticement to write a FAVORABLE review before leaving the premises. I’m not even sure that it is legal to reward someone for a review that must be positive. Needless to say, I an NOT claiming the reward and I did not write this review on the premises.

Now for the good … and there is plenty.

It wasn’t difficult to find close parking, and the hotel even offers valet parking. There were comfortable lobby seats if you arrive early. It’s easy to find the show location inside, and the room had decent acoustics. There were seven round tables with 6-8 people at each, so an intimate arrangement with no bad seats or obstructed view. Seats were typical restaurant chairs that weren’t ideal for three hours, but we were up and down a lot and they weren’t uncomfortable.

The meal and the service were okay. The waiter was pleasant and efficient, but he could have used more help. The meals were decent, but not spectacular. The meat was dry and despite arriving in a covered dish to retain heat, it was only warmish. The salad, potatoes and asparagus were good, and the cheesecake was delicious.

We were urged to mingle way too early and too long. At such an early stage, we didn’t know the right questions to ask, because nothing had yet happened. I liked the interaction, but I think it would have been better at a later break. We were encouraged to visit other tables during later breaks, but there really wasn’t time as there were written clues to consider at those points. It was fun to get to know the other diners, though, and I enjoyed it.

I LOVED the actors, particularly the two main characters. It was a little loud, over-acted, slapstick-y and burlesque, but it worked. They did a fantastic job of drawing in various audience members and making them really shine as part of the show. Improvisation is an under appreciated art. And kudos to my fellow diners, who were truly fun people and added greatly to my overall enjoyment. I paid extra to make one of my party a Prime Suspect, and it was worth every penny. The actors did a great job of using the information I’d supplied, and he was totally shocked to discover they had a photo of him that they were using as evidence against him.

All in all, I really enjoyed myself and I’m glad that I went. If you are an introvert and prefer passively watching a show, this is not the dinner you’re looking for. But if you enjoy interacting with others and don’t mind potential minor embarrassment, I highly recommend that you give this show a try. I think it’s probably more fun if you are with a group vs date night, but it’ll work either way if you’ve got the...

The Dinner Detective is a unique and interactive murder mystery dinner show that is sure to entertain you and your friends. The show is set right away with genuine laughter. The actors are hidden among the audience members. This means that anyone you speak to could be the murderer! The show begins with a delicious three-course meal, which is served while the actors introduce themselves and set the scene. Once everyone is eating, the murder mystery begins. The actors will perform a series of scenes, and it was up to us to use the clues they provide to figure out who the murderer is. The Dinner Detective is a great way to spend an evening with friends or family. It is fun, suspenseful, and interactive. You will never know who the murderer is until the very end! I truly enjoyed this with my family for my mothers birthday and highly recommend to go. We were a party of of 20.

Good luck on...

I cannot recommend the Dinner Detective enough! As the planner of our holiday work party/team outing, and someone who has never experienced a murder mystery dinner, I had a zillion questions. My contacts, Prescott and Matt, were absolutely amazing with their professionalism, accommodations, and super quick responses... even up to an hour before the show. It was so enjoyable to look around the room and literally see ear to ear smiles from every single one of our employees and their spouses. The actors were engaging, hilarious, and really dedicated to providing a fabulous time for all. As the one who "was killed," I can attest that they gave great instructions and cues for me to follow. The food wasn't memorable, but the entertainment and laughter we shared will stick with us forever! If you are looking for a fun night out,...