What you need for a bridge evening

A bridge evening needs more than cards and tables. You will need one complete playing setup per table, scoring supplies for every round, and enough cups, plates, and cutlery for the food and drinks service. Buy or borrow disposable supplies only after you know the confirmed player count. Check equipment such as coffee machines, kettles, coolers, and thermos flasks at least a few days before the event, because these are often forgotten until setup starts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Bridge tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving traysqty 8

Game materials

Bridge cardsqty 12
Bridgeboardsqty 30
Bid boxesqty 40
Score sheetsqty 60
Pencilsqty 50
Table number cardsqty 10
Pair labelsqty 40
Running sheetsqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 2
Calculatorsqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Soup potsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Name badgesqty 45
Wayfinding signsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 80 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free lager - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 6 loaves
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Savory Egg Salad - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Amaretti cookies - 4 packs
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 3 pairs

Tips

Plan one bridge table and one set of bridge cards, bridgeboards, bid boxes, score sheets, pencils, and table labels for each playing table. Keep at least one spare pencil and a small reserve of score sheets.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill the drinks before guests arrive and use coolers if the venue has limited refrigerator space.
For a buffet, provide one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one coffee cup, one water glass, and one cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Serving trays, spoons, bread knives, and cutting boards should be ready before food arrives.
Count coffee equipment separately from tableware: prepare one coffee machine or kettle for each service point and enough thermos flasks to keep coffee available between rounds. Test every machine at least one day beforehand.
Bring tablecloths, name badges, coat-rack space, and table-number cards together in one setup box. These small items are easy to overlook when the larger furniture and game materials are delivered.

Frequently asked questions

How many bridge tables do I need for a bridge evening?: Plan one bridge table for every four players. For 24 players, prepare 6 playing tables, plus chairs for all 24 participants and any organisers or guests who will sit down.
How many bridge cards and bridgeboards are needed per table?: Prepare one complete set of bridge cards and bridgeboards per playing table. For 6 tables, that means 6 sets, with one spare set if the evening cannot easily pause for a missing or damaged item.
How much tableware do I need for a bridge evening?: Use the confirmed guest count and add at least 10% spare pieces. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 dinner plates, dessert plates, coffee cups, water glasses, and cutlery sets.
When should I buy drinks and check the bridge equipment?: Buy non-perishable supplies at least 3 to 5 days before the event and chill drinks the day before. Check cards, bridgeboards, bid boxes, score sheets, pencils, and timers at least 24 hours before setup.

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