What you need for a cabaret evening

A cabaret evening needs more than chairs and refreshments. You will need a clear setup for the stage, reliable sound and lighting, and enough glasses, cups and serving equipment for the audience. Plan drinks by the hour, then check the technical kit before performers arrive. The items below help you cover the practical gaps that are often discovered too late, especially power leads, microphone stands, coat hangers and hot-drink equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 90
Tablesqty 10
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 100

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixing console
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Speaker standsqty 2
Audio cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Laptop

Lighting

LED stage lightsqty 4
Light standsqty 2
Atmosphere lightsqty 8

Tableware

Water glassesqty 90
Wine glassesqty 90
Coffee cupsqty 90
Platesqty 90
Forksqty 90
Knivesqty 90
Spoonsqty 90

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice bucketsqty 3

Decorations

Stage backdropsqty 2
Tableclothsqty 10
Table decorationsqty 10
Program postersqty 6
Name badgesqty 10

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Trash binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea bags - 150 pieces
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 40 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan crackers - 4 packs
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning sponges - 8 pcs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one to two for each additional hour. Include water as well as wine or other refreshments, and keep coolers or ice buckets ready before doors open.
Allow one chair per confirmed guest, plus a small number of spare chairs for late additions or crew. Set out tables for drinks and plates where they will not obstruct the audience’s view or walking routes.
Test every wireless microphone with the active speakers and mixing console before the audience arrives. Keep at least two tested microphone stands and enough audio cables and extension cords for the full stage layout.
For hot drinks, prepare one coffee cup per expected guest and have at least one coffee machine or kettle available for each serving point. Thermos flasks prevent queues during the interval.
Do not leave coats and lighting until the last minute. Provide one clothes hanger per expected coat, and check that LED stage lights, light stands, atmosphere lights and power strips reach their planned positions safely.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a cabaret evening?: Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for every additional hour. Add water separately, especially if the programme includes a long performance or interval.
How many chairs should I buy or hire for a cabaret evening?: Prepare one chair for every confirmed guest and add around 5% spare capacity. For 80 guests, that means 84 chairs, provided the venue has enough space for safe aisles and access.
What sound equipment is needed for a cabaret evening?: At minimum, check the active speakers, mixing console, wireless microphones, microphone stands, speaker stands and audio cables. Test the complete system at least 60 minutes before doors open, with every performer’s microphone connected.
How much tableware do I need for a cabaret evening?: Use one plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, then add 10% spare pieces for drops and late changes. For glasses and cups, plan one per guest for each service round, with extra water glasses available throughout the evening.

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