How to Stock Your Bar For an Event

How to Stock a Bar For an Event

If you're hosting an event, ensuring you have enough of everything for your guests is paramount. So how exactly do you stock your bar to ensure it's well equipped enough to satisfy your invitees?

Consider your Guest List.

This will determine how much of everything you'll need. Remember, general advice suggests that your guests will have approximately two beverages in the first hour of the event, and at least one beverage per hour thereafter. As guests have various preferences, we recommend stocking up on beer, wine and spirits, as well as plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.

Ensure to Include:

Cocktail Making 

(if serving cocktails) we recommend a cocktail shaker, bottle opener, corkscrew, water jug, ice cubes, ice bucket and tongs or scoop, small knife, garnishes for drinks (lemons, limes, cherries, olives, onions) and napkins.

Glasses

Make sure to have sufficient Glassware to cover both the range of drinks you are offering and also the number of guests attending your party.

Generally, we recommend that you allocate 1-2 Slim Jim glasses per person. These glasses can be used for water, minerals, spirits with the 12oz size taking the equivalent of a bottle of beer.

For wine glasses it is always a good idea to have at least 2 glasses per person. While most people will refill their glass. some guests may need a change of glass, mainly if changing from red to white, etc. If serving champagne, you should make sure to have 1 glass per person. Even if not everyone accepts a glass, it's better to have too many glasses than too little. 

In Summary:

• 2 wine glasses per person
• 1 champagne glass per person
• 1-2 slim jims/hiball glasses per person

Drinks

It is a good idea to plan on serving approximately two drinks per guest, per hour at your event.

Based upon a party for 40 guests, your minimum stock of beverages should be approximately:

• Champagne, Cava or Prosecco x 12 bottles
• A case of both red and white wine. Depending upon your guests preferences it may be appropriate to have more red than white, or you may also wish to include rose wine. 
• 3-4 cases of bottled beer. By offering bottled beer you may be able to reduce the number of glasses required
• Approximately 16 litres of bottled water - 8 still and 8 sparkling depending on your guests preferences. 
• Limited spirits for example Vodka x 2 bottles, Gin x 1 bottle. Don't forget to add mixers!
• Some soft drinks – particularly for the drivers

* Note that these figures are approximations and this is simply a guide. Consider your guests, their tastes and the weather and seasonal trends to help determine your specific beverage needs (eg, winter events may see a preference for mulled wine and/or whiskey whilst summer may see an uptick in preference for cocktails and alcopops.