The Fifth Column game night: food, drinks and music

For a Fifth Column game night, put on some 1940s music and choose a New York-inspired meal or snack. You can make a whole dinner of it, or keep things simple with an egg cream and cookies. The recipes and costume ideas below are extras to enjoy before or alongside the puzzles.

  

An evening in 1940s Manhattan

The Fifth Column takes place in Manhattan in June 1945. The war shaped daily life through rationing and the work of people on the home front, while jazz clubs and cinemas still offered an evening out. This menu borrows from that setting without asking you to cook an entire period meal.

Choose a section below. If you’re serving dinner, eat before you spread the game materials across the table.

Beverages

Food

Attire

Music

 

Beverages 

Oppenheimer’s martini

J. Robert Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project and was known for his martini parties. This Oppenheimer-inspired martini recipe is a strong drink, so check the quantities before mixing. There’s also a classic martini recipe if you prefer.

Manhattan cocktail

A Manhattan belongs on this menu by name alone. Its exact origin is disputed, but this Manhattan recipe comes with other drinks from the Stork Club, a well-known New York nightspot of the era.

Betsy Ross cocktail

More cocktails

For more choices, here are cocktail recipes from 1935 to 1945. The Stork Club recipes are another place to look.

Egg cream

An egg cream is a soda-fountain drink made with chocolate syrup, milk and seltzer. Despite the name, it contains no egg. Follow these egg cream instructions and serve it as soon as it’s mixed.

Shirley Temple

A Shirley Temple is an alcohol-free option named for the child actor. Here’s a Shirley Temple recipe to try.

Roy Rogers

A Roy Rogers is another alcohol-free drink, named for the actor and singer. It uses cola where a Shirley Temple uses a lighter soda. Try this Roy Rogers recipe.

Coffee

Food 

Steak dinner

For a full dinner, take your cue from a New York steakhouse. These recipes cover strip steak, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Serve dinner first so the table is clear when you start the game.

Reuben sandwich

A Reuben stacks corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and dressing on rye bread. Its origin is disputed, with New York deli owner Arnold Reuben part of one account. Here’s a Reuben sandwich recipe for a filling meal before you play.

Coney Island-style hot dogs

These Coney Island-style hot dogs use chili, onions and mustard. There’s a geographical wrinkle: despite the name, the chili-topped Coney dog is associated with Michigan. The Detroit Historical Society explains the distinction. Treat this one as a menu detour.

Twinkies

Twinkies originally had banana cream filling; wartime shortages prompted the switch to vanilla. You can try making Twinkies at home or buy a packet if you’d rather spend the time on the game.

Black and white cookies

Black and white cookies are a familiar New York bakery choice, with chocolate icing on one half and vanilla on the other. Try this black and white cookie recipe.

Cheesecake

New York-style cheesecake makes a substantial dessert. This cheesecake recipe is one to prepare ahead, leaving time for it to chill before game night.

Banana split

Attire

If you’d like to dress up, these guides to men’s 1940s clothing and women’s 1940s clothing offer ideas you can adapt from your wardrobe.

 

Music

Try this four-hour 1940s playlist for swing and jazz while you play. This second playlist gives you another hour if you need it. Keep the volume low enough to read clues aloud.