Pendleton Underground

PENDLETON — Wannabe sleuths are invited to try their detective skills at solving a mystery on New Year’s Eve, when the Pendleton Underground transforms into a speakeasy from the Roarin’ Twenties.

“Zoot suits and flapper dresses galore,” said Judith Burger, the host of the murder mystery and a regular tour guide for the Pendleton Underground.

The five-hour event begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. The Underground is located at 31 SW Emigrant Ave.

Tickets are limited to 55, for ages 21 and older. The cost is $90 per person, or $75 per person for a couple or larger group. To make reservations, call 541-276-0730.

Registering early is necessary because everyone in assigned a character to be for the evening.

“It’s a blast,” Burger said. “I send out messages to people and they email or text another character. Everybody’s always confused at the beginning, but it sets the stage.”

Costumes are encouraged.

At the dinner, each attendee is provided with an envelope instructing them on what information to share with other guests, and what to keep secret.

“And at the end there’s a big reveal,” Burger said. “It’s like a soap opera in one evening.”

The evening includes appetizers, dinner, dessert, a midnight champagne toast and a no-host bar. Everything will be staged in the underground bowling alley — “which was also a speakeasy in the Pendleton in the twenties,” Burger said.

About the Underground

The Pendleton Underground operates tours throughout the year on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guided tours are approximately 90 minutes and include the tunnels, Cozy Room bordello, Chinese opium dens, living quarters and jails. Guests must be 6 years or older.

Tour reservations are required because each group is scheduled by time. To reserve a space, call 541-276-0730. Cost is $15 per person through Jan. 1, 2022, when the price increases to $20 for ages 13 and older and $15 for ages 6-12. For information, check the Underground’s page on Facebook or visit the website www.pendletonundergroundtours.org.

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31

Pendleton Underground

Tickets: $90 per person, or $75 per person for a couple or larger group

Reservations required — call 541-276-0730