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Speakeasy (party game)

Snapshot of the Prohibition-era social deduction experience from Waxwing Games—ideal for large groups chasing a high-energy hidden-role session.

Summary

  • What: Prohibition-themed social deduction with free-roaming play, described as Werewolf meets party mixer (Jackbox Games).
  • Play style: Real-time mingling—no moderator, no day/night cycles (Reddit).
  • Players: Best with 10–40 players; one session runs 60–75 minutes (BoardGameGeek).
  • Teams: Mob vs Feds with hidden roles and at least one traitor (Story Luck).
  • Twist: Passwords slipped into conversation to confirm allies—or mislead rivals (Reddit).

What it is

  • Large-group, hidden-role game rooted in 1920s Mob vs Feds drama (BoardGameGeek).
  • Designed for parties, meetups, and events—thrives in open spaces with room for private chats (BoardGameGeek).

Who made it

  • Designer / Publisher: Andy Patton of Waxwing Games (Story Luck).
  • Mentioned in Jackbox Games’ launch blog alongside their own party line-up (Jackbox Games).

How it works (quick version)

  • Players receive a secret team (Mob or Feds) plus a role power or goal—keep both hidden (Story Luck).
  • Gameplay is real-time free play; roam, whisper, trade favors, and collect intel (Reddit).
  • Teams share passwords—drop yours into conversation or listen for others to find allies, but beware counterfeits (Reddit).
  • No early eliminations; the tension comes from social reads and information control (BoardGameGeek).
  • Final reveal tallies correct IDs, protected or stolen points, and role objectives to crown a winner (BoardGameGeek).

What you need

  • Printable role sheets, guides, and point cards (fneu.fr).
  • A 60–75 minute timer to keep the mingle phase on track (fneu.fr).
  • Open room or event space with plenty of corners for quick confidences.

Typical session flow

  1. Briefing (≈5 minutes): Introduce teams, passwords, and scoring structure (BoardGameGeek).
  2. Game on (≈60 minutes): Let everyone mingle, trade clues, and trigger role powers in real time (Reddit).
  3. Final reveal (5–10 minutes): Teams present deductions, score points, and celebrate the winning side (BoardGameGeek).

Why players liked it

  • Keeps everyone active—no elimination downtime while you wait for the finale (BoardGameGeek).
  • Password mechanic adds playful social reads and satisfying “gotcha” reveals (Reddit).
  • Feels like a roaring party where a hidden contest is always simmering beneath the chatter (Reddit).

Background & mentions

  • Jackbox compared it to “Werewolf + Survivor + the last five minutes of The Godfather,” citing the original Speakeasy page.
  • BoardGameGeek catalogs it as a hidden-role title for 10–40 players (BoardGameGeek).
  • Player diaries on Reddit highlight the one-hour mingle structure and password signals (Reddit).
  • Official rules sheets and community print-and-play kits are still archived online (BoardGameGeek).

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