What to buy for a cabaret evening

A cabaret evening needs more than drinks and snacks. Plan tableware for the full audience, serving equipment for the catering table, and practical items for performers, guests and volunteers. Check quantities against your confirmed registrations, then add a small buffer for breakages and late arrivals. Keep technical equipment separate from shopping supplies: microphones, speakers and lighting must be reserved and tested, not improvised on the day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 90
Beer tablesqty 6
Catering tableqty 2
Coat rackqty 2
Stoolsqty 4

Equipment

Stage sectionsqty 4
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Audio cablesqty 8

Lighting

Stage spotlightsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 50

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Decorations

Stage backdrop
Tableclothsqty 8
Balloonsqty 40
Welcome sign
Program postersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan spread - 4 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Disposable cups - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2

Other

Cloakroom numbersqty 100
Ticketsqty 100
Pensqty 10
Tapeqty 4
Cable tiesqty 100
Name stickersqty 100

Tips

Count one complete place setting per registered guest, including a plate, cutlery set, drinking glass and coffee cup. Add roughly 5–10% extra glasses and cups in case of breakage or unexpected guests.
For the drinks station, prepare at least one water jug per 20 guests and one thermos flask per 15–20 coffee drinkers. Buy or bring enough bottle openers before the catering table is set up.
Bring tablecloths sized for every table, plus scissors for trimming labels, table signs or packaging. A welcome sign and programme posters should be ready before guests arrive, rather than printed during setup.
Allow one coat-rack position for each expected coat, with a few extra spaces for bags. If seating includes stools or separate stage sections, check the quantities against the room layout at least one week before the event.
Pack coolers and fill them before doors open, not during the show. Keep extension cords, power strips and audio cables with the technical kit, and test the microphones, speakers and lighting before the audience enters.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a cabaret evening?: Plan one drinking glass per guest, plus 5–10% extra. For 100 guests, that means 105–110 glasses; add more if glasses will not be collected between servings.
How much coffee equipment do I need for 50 guests?: Provide at least 50 coffee cups, 50 teaspoons and enough coffee for the expected number of drinkers. One thermos flask per 15–20 coffee drinkers means three to four flasks for 50 guests if most people want coffee.
When should I prepare the cabaret evening shopping list?: Make the first list at least one week before the event, once registrations and dietary requirements are known. Recheck quantities two days before shopping and again when the catering table is set up.
What should I bring for the drinks and catering table?: Prepare drink glasses, coffee cups, plates, cutlery, teaspoons, thermos flasks, water jugs, serving trays, coolers and bottle openers. Have the tablecloths and serving equipment ready at least 30 minutes before doors open.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.