What to buy for a cabaret show

A cabaret show needs more than tickets, chairs and a microphone. Plan separate supplies for the audience, performer and service area so you are not searching for missing items when the doors open. This shopping list covers drinks, coffee, snacks, tableware, signs and practical show-day materials. Quantities depend on attendance, but the guide below gives useful starting points for a seated evening show with a drinks service and short interval.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 4
Chairsqty 90
High tablesqty 4
Bar matsqty 2
Changing room rack

Equipment

Wireless microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Stage monitor
Microphone standsqty 2
XLR cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Ticket scannerqty 2
Payment terminal
Charging cablesqty 4

Lighting

LED stage lightsqty 4
Light standsqty 2
Mood lightingqty 4

Decorations

Stage curtainsqty 2
Backdrop cloth
Flower arrangementsqty 3
Arrow signsqty 8
Information boardsqty 4

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 90
Cutlery setsqty 90

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Snack plattersqty 8
Pliersqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Whole milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Sweeteners - 100 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Pilsner - 36 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted pretzels - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Rinse aid - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then allow one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy extra non-alcoholic options and keep chilled drinks separate from supplies that can stay at room temperature.
For an audience of 50, start with at least 60 drinking glasses and 20 wine glasses if wine is being served. Add a buffer of around 20% so glasses do not run short during the interval or while others are being washed.
Allow one coffee cup, one pastry plate and one set of cutlery per expected coffee or snack service, plus 10% spare. Coffee machines and kettles should be checked before shopping, because replacing a missing cable or power strip on show day is difficult.
Bring more gaffer tape and extension cords than the stage layout appears to need: two rolls of tape, two extension cords and two power strips are a practical minimum for a small setup. Use tape to secure XLR cables and mark cable runs before guests enter.
Prepare directional signs and information boards before doors open, especially for the entrance, seating, bar and accessible route. Print the guest list and tickets in advance, and keep them with the signs rather than leaving them in the production area.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a cabaret show?: For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per guest, including non-alcoholic choices. After that, allow about one drink per person per hour; for 50 guests over two hours, this means roughly 150 drinks before adding a small reserve.
How many glasses should I buy for 50 guests?: Use at least 60 drinking glasses for 50 guests, plus around 20 wine glasses if wine is served. A 20% spare allowance prevents shortages when glasses are left in the room or waiting to be washed.
What should I buy for coffee and snacks at a cabaret show?: For 50 guests, prepare up to 50 coffee cups, 50 pastry plates and 50 cutlery sets if everyone may take refreshments, with 10% extra. Match the amount of coffee, tea and snacks to the number of servings planned rather than the total ticket count.
When should I prepare the cabaret show shopping?: Buy shelf-stable supplies, signage and serving ware at least 3–5 days before the show. Chill drinks and prepare snacks on the day, while checking the microphone, speakers, mixer, cables, lights and power supplies before doors open.

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