What to buy for a birthday pub quiz

A birthday pub quiz needs more than questions and a projector. You will need drinks, easy-to-serve snacks, enough tableware, and reliable materials for answers and scoring. Plan seating and team tables before shopping, then check how many guests have registered and whether anyone has dietary requirements. The items below cover the practical setup, from chilled drinks and coffee to pens, answer forms, presentation equipment and power cables.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Gift table
Drinks table

Tableware

Glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 32
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Bluetooth speaker
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettle
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Small bowlsqty 8
Pliersqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Bottle openersqty 3

Quiz materials

Answer formsqty 12
Pensqty 40
Score sheetsqty 12
Answer paddlesqty 12
Quiz prizesqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 6
Table décorqty 6
Birthday candles

Lighting

String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Olives - 2 jars
- Cheese cubes - 1.5 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber - 3 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Mini wraps - 48 pieces
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Chicken breast spread - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Savory snacks - 2 bags
- Mini Meatballs - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian Snacks - 2 kilograms
- Bitterballen - 2 kilogram
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Whipped cream - 2 canisters
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper straws - 50 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 4 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add roughly 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Buy water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Allow one plate, glass, cutlery set and napkin per guest, plus about 10% extra. For a group of 30, that means at least 33 of each item.
Prepare one answer form and one pen for every team, then bring 2–3 spare forms and pens. Keep score sheets separate so the quiz can continue if a form is lost.
Check the venue’s power points at least 3 days before the quiz. Bring extension cords and power strips, and test the laptop, projector, screen, speaker and microphone together before guests arrive.
Chill drinks at least 4 hours ahead, and prepare snacks 1–2 hours before the welcome drinks. Use serving trays, small bowls and serving spoons so food does not sit in opened packets on the tables.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a birthday pub quiz?: For drinks, plan 2–3 per person during the first hour and 1 per person per hour after that. For snacks, allow about 150–200 g per guest, split between savoury and sweet options, and add 10% for unexpected guests.
How many quiz supplies should I buy?: Prepare one answer form, pen and score sheet for each team, plus 2–3 spare sets. If you expect 8 teams, pack 10 answer forms, 10 pens and enough score sheets for every round.
When should I chill drinks and prepare the snacks?: Put drinks in coolers at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Prepare most snacks 1–2 hours beforehand, then keep anything that needs refrigeration chilled until serving.
What equipment do I need for a pub quiz presentation?: You need a laptop, projector, projection screen, speaker and microphone, plus extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 1 day before the quiz and keep a printed copy of the questions as a backup.

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