What to Buy for a Burlesque Show

A burlesque show needs more than costumes and a stage. Your shopping list also covers guest seating, bar service, tableware, backstage changing areas, sound, lighting and safe cable management. Plan quantities from your guest count, then confirm the performers’ technical requirements before buying or hiring equipment. Drinks, glasses, extension cords and dressing-room furniture are easy to overlook and can cause last-minute problems if they are not ready before doors open.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 8
Dining tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 100
Bar
Dressing room racksqty 4
Changing room chairsqty 12
Dressing room tablesqty 4
Stage sectionsqty 12
Red carpet

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 120
Water glassesqty 120
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 120
Cake platesqty 100
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving utensilsqty 16

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Gaffer tapeqty 4

Lighting

Stage spotlightsqty 6
Light standsqty 4
LED string lightsqty 6
Battery lampsqty 10

Decorations

Red curtainsqty 2
Sequin backdrop
Tableclothsqty 14
Napkin ringsqty 100
Theater masksqty 12
Menusqty 100
Name badgesqty 120

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Ice bucketsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Storage binsqty 12

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 18 bottles
- Prosecco - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Whole milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 25 kilogram
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilogram
- Parma ham - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilograms
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Mini quiches - 160 pieces
- Vegetable spring rolls - 160 pieces
- Falafel balls - 160 pieces
- Bitterballen - 240 pieces
- Mini sausages - 160 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Allergen cards - 40 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 100 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add water separately and chill it before the venue opens.
Count tableware against your peak use, not just your guest list: plan at least one glass per guest per service round, plus 10% spare wine glasses, water glasses and plates.
Set up a proper backstage area with dressing room racks, chairs and tables before performers arrive. Provide one rack section and one chair per performer wherever possible.
Confirm the technical rider at least two weeks before the show. Check the number of speakers, wireless microphones, microphone stands, mixer inputs and stage spotlights instead of assuming the venue has them.
Buy gaffer tape, extension cords and power strips before setup day. Keep cables away from walkways, tape every crossing securely and test all lights and audio before guests enter.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks and glasses do I need for a burlesque show?: For the first hour, budget two to three drinks per guest, then one drink per person per hour. Provide wine glasses, water glasses and champagne glasses according to the drinks you serve, with about 10% spare glassware.
How many chairs and tables do I need for a burlesque show?: Start with one seat per seated guest and allow space for cocktail tables if guests will stand or move around. Confirm the final layout at least seven days before the show so the stage, bar, dining tables and red carpet do not block circulation.
When should I arrange burlesque show sound and lighting equipment?: Request the performers’ technical requirements at least two weeks before the event and confirm delivery or availability several days before setup. Test the mixer, speakers, microphones, music player and stage spotlights before doors open.
What should I prepare backstage for burlesque performers?: Prepare dressing room racks, changing room chairs and tables before the performers arrive, ideally at least one hour before venue opening. Allow one rack section and one chair per performer, with clear access to the changing area.

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