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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

How many drinks (beer, wine, soft etc) to buy for a party?

6 replies

PartyStarter · 07/01/2023 12:48

How do you decide how many drinks to get in for a party? And variety?! Is there some sort of formula per guest?!

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 07/01/2023 17:23

House party ?
For adults ?

I would generally assume that anyone coming to a house party would bring at least the equivalent of what they are going to drink themselves, so wouldn't be massively stocking up.
I would get some soft drinks / mixers in and just have a bare minimum of alcohol available - which I would generally have in the house anyway.

I don't think I've ever hosted a party and not ended up with more drink at the end of the night than I had before it started, since leaving my student days.

PritiPatelsMaker · 07/01/2023 20:43

I'm not sure I've ever seen a formula. Doesn't it vary widely due to who you're inviting?

I catered for over lots over Christmas but only two people drink Alcock so buying tonnes of that would have been a waste.

BIWI · 07/01/2023 20:44

How many guests do you have coming?

PartyStarter · 08/01/2023 12:30

There’ll be about 20 people 😊

OP posts:
BIWI · 08/01/2023 12:45

Is it a significant occasion? If so, I'd be buying something bubbly (exact kind of bubbles will obviously depend on your budget!), as well as white and red wine. Probably half a case.

General rule of thumb is that a bottle of wine = 6 glasses; however, if you have large glasses (like the ones they pour in a pub if you ask for a large glass of wine) this will only yield 3 glasses.

Do you have a Majestic Wine near you? They do 'sale or return', so it means you can buy more than you think you might need, knowing that any that's unopened can be returned.

I'd go for a case of white wine and a case of red. If you're buying bubbly as well, I'd go for a case of white, half a case of bubbly and half a case of red. Generally most people seem to drink white - but if you know you have friends who are mainly red drinkers, you'll obviously need to change this!

Don't bother buying spirits - too expensive, and you'll also have to provide mixers.

I'd also be buying some beer/lager - again, depends if you know your friends are likely to drink those. You can generally buy boxes of 24 bottles; I'd probably buy 2 - one of lager and one of beer/bitter/IPA, etc.

Then soft drinks - again, this depends on knowing who your guests are and what they like to drink. But I'd usually have some fruit juice, a large bottle of lemonade and large bottle of Diet Coke (or similar).

Remember that your guests are also likely to bring drinks with them - so you may wish to cut down on the quantities I've suggested! But I'd always far rather have too much than worry about running out. And if you can get the 'sale or return' deal, then you will get your money back afterwards if you bought too much.

HoppingAndHoping · 08/01/2023 13:01

Depends on the party, tbh.

5 alcoholic drinks per person is usually enough IME. (Unless it's people from my uni days... but you will know your crowd)

A selection of beer, wine (white & red), water and non-alcoholic options according to your personal tastea is probably a safe bet.

A fizzy drink is generally expected, I suppose... I'd recommend offering at least one non-alcoholic and caffeine free option (apart from water).

Agree with pps, I wouldn't bother with mixed drinks or spirits.

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