What you need for an anniversary cabaret

An anniversary cabaret needs more than food and drinks. You also need reliable sound equipment, lighting for the performers, tableware for the buffet, and a few backstage basics that are easy to overlook. Use the guest list to work out quantities, then check dietary requirements before buying food. Keep drinks refrigerated, set out non-perishable groceries before guests arrive, and test microphones, speakers, cables and presentation equipment during setup.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Chairsqty 90
Tablesqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Dressing room tablesqty 2

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
DI box
Laptop
HDMI cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 12

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 6
Light standsqty 2

Decorations

Anniversary bannerqty 2
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Balloon weightsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 8
Photo framesqty 10
Photo collageqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 90
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 90
Champagne glassesqty 90
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Storage binsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomsqty 2
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Pilsner - 48 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 8 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 2 heads
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 2 kilos
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Grape jam - 2 jars
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Dry-cured ham - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Pesto sauce - 8 jars
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Mushrooms - 3 kilos
- Zucchini - 10 pieces
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Fresh fruit for dessert - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Cake - 4 large cakes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Food storage bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Plan roughly two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Buy a little extra if the cabaret includes a meal or runs late.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one coffee cup and at least one napkin per guest, plus around 10% spare tableware for breakages and unexpected guests.
Check the sound setup at least two hours before the doors open. Test every wireless microphone, spare battery, speaker, mixer, DI box, HDMI cable and extension cord with the actual laptop.
Prepare the performer area before guests arrive: dressing room tables, microphone stands, stools, printed texts, props and music files should all be in place at least 60 minutes before the first performance.
Buy or gather decorations early, especially the anniversary banner, balloons, ribbon, weights, tablecloths and photo collage. Inflate balloons no more than a few hours before opening so they still look fresh.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for an anniversary cabaret?: For drinks, allow two to three per guest during the first hour and one per guest for each further hour. For food, plan one complete serving per invited guest, adding about 10% if the menu is buffet-style or attendance is uncertain.
What tableware do I need for an anniversary cabaret?: Provide one dinner plate, dessert plate and coffee cup per guest, with at least 10% spare. Add serving plates, cutlery, napkin holders and extra cups if the buffet, coffee service and performances run at different times.
When should I test the microphones and cabaret equipment?: Test the complete sound and presentation setup at least two hours before guests arrive. Keep spare batteries, extension cords, power strips and HDMI cables ready, because replacing a missing cable at the last minute is difficult.
When should I buy and prepare decorations for the anniversary cabaret?: Buy non-perishable decorations at least one week ahead, including the banner, balloons, ribbon, weights and tablecloths. Inflate balloons and arrange the photo collage on the day, preferably two to three hours before the venue opens.

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