VANCOUVER DINE OUT EXPERIENCE
A NEW MURDER MYSTERY SHOW IN 2026
Vancouver Mysteries is thrilled to launch the fourth chapter in our popular Murder is a Drag series in Gastown during the 2026 Dine Out Festival (January 22 – February 8 2026).
KILLER BIRTHDAY
The Mystery: Killer Birthday is the fourth chapter in the wildly successful Murder is a Drag series written by Tanya Bennett and produced by Vancouver Mysteries. Murder is a Drag: Killer Birthday is a murder mystery set at a surprise birthday party – get out your party dress, because you are invited! But be warned, there WILL be a murder. Can you solve it? A few guests will also be included in the action with props and lines (optional- you can also choose to just watch the show).
The Culinary Experience: Each ticket includes a seat for the performance and a charcuterie casket (yes casket, not basket!) from our favourite creepy culinarians at the Black Casket Cafe. Vegan, gluten-free and plant-based variations available. You also have the option to add-on a dreadfully delicious dessert after you buy your tickets (watch for our email).
Dine out, solve a mystery and enjoy drag performances all at the same time! You can be the first to see the newest Murder is a Drag show:
- Show Times – 8PM Thursdays (doors at 7PM), 12PM Sundays (doors at 11AM)
- Availability – Thursdays and Sundays during Dine Out Festival (Jan 21 – Feb 8 2026): Jan 22, Jan 25, Jan 29, Feb 01, Feb 05, Feb 08
- Location – a mysterious party in a secret location below the historic Woodwards building, a short walk from the steam clock in Gastown. You will receive the exact address by email close to the event date.
- The special Dine Out price is $90 per person inclusive (unlike our other experiences, these special Dine Out event prices include all fees & taxes). Each ticket includes a seat for the performance (general admission), a charcuterie casket packed with delicious nibbles, a 90 minute murder mystery show with 4 musical drag performances, puzzles to solve and a chance to win prizes if you guess the killer correctly!
- Pre-Orders Only: there is no kitchen at the venue – this is a catered event and all menu items must be pre-ordered. There is, however, a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase.
- Duration – total show time is 90 minutes but the doors open one hour before the show begins and there are photo opportunities with the cast after the show (plan to arrive before show time to get good seats and/or or get a role in the show).
- Capacity – there are only 80 seats available for each show and they are first come, first serve.
- Dietary Restrictions/Allergies – please let us know by replying back to your booking confirmation if you have any concerns re; allergies/restrictions and we will pass that information along to the Black Casket Cafe.
- Accessiblity – the venue for this event is below the historic Woodward building at 111 West Hastings Street and there is an elevator. There are loud musical performances as well as quieter discussions, low lighting in the room and some puzzles require fine motor skills or ability to read fine print. If anyone in your party has concerns about the lighting, volume levels, vision or fine motor skills required please contact us.
- This venue is 19+. Please have your ID ready.
How Does it Work?
The doors opens one hour before the show starts – Your chances of being offered a role in the mystery (a line to say, a prop to use, etc) are better if you get there when doors open.
This is a collaborative and social experience – you may be seated with other people. Guests can choose to solve the mystery together as a team or on their own, it’s up to you. If you want to be seated together, it is best to purchase your tickets together and arrive early. Large groups can forward their booking confirmation to [email protected] and we will reserve seats for you (first come first serve). All reserved seating is re-opened for general admission if you are not there 30 minutes before show time.
You don’t have to participate, you can just watch the show – if you just want to watch the show just let us know when you arrive (also avoid choosing seats along the aisles).
You will be seated during this experience – the seating is a combination of theatre style rows and tables. You will be seated during the show and the mystery will unfold around you. There is a stage area but the cast will also move around the room. There are no servers – it’s a walk-up bar. You can order more drinks at any time during the show however there are also two intermissions.
There are puzzles to solve – this is a Vancouver Mysteries experience after all! During the first intermission your table will receive a puzzle to solve – it will reveal an important clue to the mystery!
Costumes are encouraged (but optional) – You are guests at a birthday party so wear whatever that means to you. We recommend you look to Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Grease for style direction if you want to coordinate with the cast, however you can wear whatever you like to our shows. If you have questions about this get in touch.
Can you pick the murderer? During the 2nd intermission everyone has a chance to vote for the suspect they think is the murderer.
If you’d like to book a private experience, we will be offering this show for private bookings after Dine Out is over.
Get your tickets now: Buy Tickets
Originally called the Regina Hotel this heritage building located at 300 Water Street in Gastown is described as the only substantial wood-framed structure to survive the Great Fire of 1886. (Vancouver Heritage Foundation)
ABOUT DINE OUT VANCOUVER FESTIVAL
A delicious and fun collaboration between Destination Vancouver and local food and wine enthusiasts since 2007, Dine Out Vancouver Festival has grown into Canada’s largest food and drink festival.
Dine Out Vancouver Festival Events – the festival comes complete with a full schedule of delicious events that provide festival goers with unique culinary experiences to please their palate. These can include guided dining adventures, cooking classes, cocktail masterclasses, global guest-chef collaboration dinners, BC VQA wine and craft beer tastings and more! This year Vancouver Mysteries is thrilled to be participating in Dine Out for the very second time – last year we brought you The Case of the Hotel Detective. If you missed out on the event last year, we now offer this mystery dining experience year round – and it is also portable (we can bring this game to your meeting room, office, hotel suite or home). We also bring this game to other venues for pop up mysteries. More info.
Check out the complete Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2026 Event Listings here. #localsupportinglocals
More information about Dine Out 2026 here.
ABOUT VANCOUVER MYSTERIES
Vancouver Mysteries is a locally-owned, top-rated, award winning business that has been operating since 2014. Longtime member of Destination Vancouver, member of the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame (awarded the Certificate of Excellence for 5 years in a row); and Best Adventure Tour Company (Best of Vancouver 2023). In 2024 Vancouver Mysteries launched Murder is a Drag – a fast-paced and fun murder mystery show with drag! Each chapter in the Murder is a Drag series is a new interactive murder mystery show with new suspects, new cast and a new story. There are puzzles to solve, clues to collect and also killer drag performances. This experience is Vancouver Mysteries with a dash of drag – for many people it is their first drag show! There are opportunities to participate in the show but you can also opt to just watch it all unfold. Either way, there will be good food, lots of laughs (and a murder, of course).
Our Experience Team is here to help with questions and we can also book you in for your experience and take your payment over the phone. [email protected] 778-707-1962
BUY YOUR DINE OUT EVENT TICKETS HERE
Start 2026 with adventures! Don’t miss out on our new murder mystery dining experience created just for Dine Out Vancouver Festival (the fourth chapter in our hit Murder is a Drag series) premiering at Dine Out Festival for Friday dinners and Sunday brunches in Gastown. Or, check out our new mystery dining experiences from last year: The Legend of the Gastown Gold and Murder is a Drag: Rhinestones are Forever (repeat performances throughout the year). Check here for all Murder is a Drag showtimes.