What You Need for a Board Game Night

A good Board Game Night needs more than a stack of games. Plan the supplies around the number of players, the games on each table, and how long guests will stay. You will need food and drinks that can be served without interrupting play, plus enough tableware and small game accessories for every table. Check missing games, chill drinks, and prepare snacks before guests arrive so the evening starts on time.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 32
Side tablesqty 3

Game materials

Board gamesqty 18
Card gamesqty 8
Diceqty 30
Score padsqty 8
Pensqty 30
Hourglassesqty 6
Game organizersqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30
Knivesqty 40
Forksqty 40
Spoonsqty 40

Kitchen

Serving traysqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4
Corkscrewqty 2

Equipment

Coffee maker
Kettleqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 7
Buntingqty 3
Welcome sign

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Beer - 30 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- White wine - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 3 loaves
- Wraps - 30 pieces
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 3 pieces
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 750 grams
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Jam - 1 jar
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Brownies - 3 boxes
- Milk chocolate - 6 bars
- Dark chocolate - 4 bars
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs

Tips

Prepare one game set per table: include the game, instructions, dice or cards, score pads, pens, and any hourglass or organizer it needs. Add one spare pen to each table because they disappear quickly.
For drinks, plan two to three servings per person for the first hour, then one serving per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before setup and keep a corkscrew near the serving area.
Choose snacks that can be eaten with one hand, such as sandwiches and small portions in bowls. Put serving trays and spoons on the food table so players do not need to pass plates around the game tables.
Count tableware after the guest list is confirmed: provide at least one reusable plate, bowl, glass, fork, knife, and spoon per guest, plus 10 percent extra. Set out coffee cups separately at the coffee and tea station.
Test the room’s power before placing tables. Check extension cords, power strips, coffee equipment, and mood lighting at least 30 minutes before guests arrive, and keep cables away from walkways.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Board Game Night?: You need games suited to the group, dice, cards, score pads, pens, and table space for each game. Add food, drinks, reusable tableware, serving items, and coffee or tea equipment. Prepare one complete game set per table.
How many board games do I need for a game night?: Plan at least one playable game for every table, plus two or three backup options for different group sizes. For a four-hour evening, prepare three to five games per table so guests can switch without waiting.
How much food and drink should I buy for Board Game Night?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for every additional hour. Provide roughly two snack portions per person per hour, with sandwiches or other filling food if the night covers a meal time.
How much tableware do I need for a Board Game Night?: Allow one plate, bowl, glass, fork, knife, and spoon per guest, then add 10 percent extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item where practical, along with enough coffee cups for everyone who wants coffee or tea.

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