What You Need for a Cabaret Evening

A cabaret evening needs more than chairs and a microphone. Your shopping list should cover guest seating, buffet service, drinks, coffee, stage sound and lighting, plus signs that help people find the room. Check quantities against your final guest list before shopping, especially glasses, plates, cutlery and serving utensils. Test technical equipment before guests arrive so a missing cable or unsuitable microphone does not delay the programme.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 55
Tablesqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 3
Changing room rack
Coat rackqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 55
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving utensilsqty 8

Equipment

Wireless microphoneqty 2
Active speakerqty 2
Microphone standqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Music playlist
Cool boxqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettleqty 2

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Decorative clothsqty 4
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop set
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 six-packs
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Cucumber - 5 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan one seat per guest, then add a few spare chairs if the venue allows it. Place tables where they will not block sightlines to the stage or make it difficult to move between the buffet and seating.
For drinks, count at least 2–3 glasses per guest for the first hour, then add more for the rest of the evening. Chill drinks in the cool box several hours before doors open rather than waiting until setup.
Match plates, cutlery, glasses and coffee cups to the final guest list, with around 10% extra for breakage, unexpected guests or used items waiting to be washed. Count serving platters and serving utensils separately from guest tableware.
For a spoken cabaret programme, prepare a wireless microphone, microphone stand, mixer and active speaker, then test them in the actual room at least 60 minutes before guests arrive. Keep the laptop, playlist and extension cords together so the setup does not depend on last-minute searching.
Set out the coffee maker, kettle, cups and buffet equipment before the audience arrives. Put the welcome sign and directional signs up during setup, and keep tablecloths, decorative cloths and mood lighting ready before the stage area is cleared.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a cabaret evening?: Allow 2–3 glasses per guest for the first hour, then add roughly 1–2 glasses per person for each additional hour. Buy or borrow about 10% extra to cover breakage and glasses left on tables.
What sound equipment do I need for a cabaret evening?: For a basic spoken performance, plan for a wireless microphone, microphone stand, mixer and active speaker. Test the complete setup in the venue at least 60 minutes before the audience arrives, including the laptop and any extension cords.
How much tableware should I buy for a cabaret evening?: Start with one plate, one cutlery set and one glass per guest, then add about 10% spare. Provide coffee cups for the full guest list and enough serving platters and utensils for the planned buffet.
When should I chill drinks for a cabaret evening?: Put drinks into the cool box several hours before guests arrive so they are cold when the buffet opens. Check the stock again during final setup, before you begin the sound check and seating arrangement.

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