What to Buy for a Cabaret Evening
A cabaret evening needs more than chairs and a stage. Plan drinks and snacks for the audience, coffee service for the interval, and enough glasses, plates and cutlery to avoid washing up during the programme. You will also need practical items for coats, directions and performer support, plus technical supplies such as cables, power strips and microphones. Use the event plan below as your checklist, then confirm quantities against your guest registrations and venue stock.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Chairsqty 90
- Tablesqty 12
- Bar stoolsqty 4
- Coat racksqty 2
- Clothes hangersqty 100
Equipment
- Wireless microphonesqty 3
- Microphone standsqty 3
- Speakersqty 2
- Mixer
- Audio cablesqty 8
- Laptop
- DI box
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 4
Lighting
- Stage spotlightsqty 4
- Mood lightingqty 4
- Light standsqty 2
Decorations
- Backdrop cloth
- Tableclothsqty 12
- Program postersqty 6
- Welcome sign
- Directional signsqty 8
Tableware
- Water glassesqty 100
- Wine glassesqty 80
- Coffee cupsqty 70
- Platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Serving traysqty 6
- Pouring jugsqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Coolersqty 4
- Ice containersqty 2
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Mop setsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 3
- Glovesqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 150 pieces
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Liver sausage - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
Tips
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each following hour. Include still water and allow extra drinks for performers and volunteers.
- Count tableware for every registered guest, then add 10% spare plates, glasses and cutlery. For a 50-person audience, that means preparing at least 55 of each item you expect to use.
- Check coffee service at least three days before the event. Confirm that the coffee machines, kettles, cups and serving trays are available, and buy enough coffee, tea, milk and sugar for the interval.
- Do not leave technical shopping until the event day. Test the microphones, mixer, speakers, DI box, audio cables and laptop at least 24 hours beforehand, with two spare extension cords and power strips available.
- Prepare signage and coat storage before guests arrive. For 50 guests, provide room for at least 50 coats, plus a welcome sign and directional signs at every turn from the entrance to the room.
Frequently asked questions
- What drinks do I need for a cabaret evening?
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and keep separate drinks available for artists and volunteers.
- How many glasses and plates do I need for 50 guests?
- Prepare at least 55 glasses, plates and cutlery sets for 50 guests, allowing a 10% spare supply. Add more if the audience will use separate wine and water glasses or if there is no opportunity to wash items during the evening.
- When should I buy supplies for a cabaret evening?
- Buy non-perishable supplies three to seven days ahead and fresh snacks one day before the event. Check venue stock, equipment and dietary requirements at least 72 hours before guests arrive.
- What technical equipment is needed for a cabaret evening?
- Plan microphones, microphone stands, speakers, a mixer, a laptop, a DI box, audio cables, stage spotlights and extension cords. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours before the performance and keep two spare power connections available.
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