What to Buy for a Cabaret Show
A cabaret show needs more than chairs and refreshments. You will need serving items for the buffet, glasses and cups for different drinks, and reliable sound and lighting equipment for the performance area. Plan quantities from your guest count, then add a small reserve for breakage, spills and last-minute arrivals. This checklist also highlights the items that are easy to forget, such as spare batteries, extension cords and a DI box.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Chairsqty 85
- Bistro tablesqty 8
- Reception desk
- Buffet tablesqty 3
- Clothing rack
Tableware
- Coffee cupsqty 85
- Water glassesqty 100
- Wine glassesqty 85
- Beer glassesqty 60
- Cake platesqty 85
- Cutlery setsqty 85
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Serving tongsqty 6
Equipment
- Wireless microphone
- Speakersqty 2
- Mixer
- Laptop
- Audio cablesqty 4
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 3
- DI box
Lighting
- Stage spotlightsqty 2
- Atmosphere lightsqty 6
- Spare batteriesqty 12
Decorations
- Theater curtain
- Red carpetsqty 2
- Table runnersqty 8
- Menu standsqty 8
- Flower arrangementsqty 6
- Name card holdersqty 85
Catering
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Coolersqty 4
- Ice cube traysqty 4
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsener - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Bottle openers - 2 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian puff pastry snacks - 80 pieces
- Vegan vegetable balls - 60 pieces
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Fresh basil - 4 bunches
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 150 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Toilet freshener - 2 pieces
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef's knifeqty 2
- Measuring cupsqty 2
- Kitchen quartet
- Aluminum foilqty 2
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 4
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mop
- Bucketsqty 2
- Cleaning clothsqty 12
Tips
- Allow one chair per registered guest, plus 5–10% spare seating if the venue has room. Set chairs with a clear view of the performance area rather than leaving late arrivals to rearrange the room.
- For a two-hour show, plan roughly 2–3 drinks per person in the first hour and 1–2 per person for each additional hour. Buy separate quantities of coffee cups, water glasses, wine glasses and beer glasses if all four will be served.
- Match tableware to the catering plan: provide one cake plate and one cutlery set per guest, then add about 10% extra. Two serving platters and one pair of serving tongs per buffet dish keeps the table workable during service.
- Check every audio connection before the show, including the wireless microphone, mixer, laptop, speakers and DI box. Pack at least two spare audio cables and use extension cords and power strips long enough to keep walkways clear.
- Do not leave atmosphere lighting and stage spotlights until the last hour. Bring spare batteries for powered lighting or accessories, and set out the theater curtain, red carpets, table runners and menu stands before guests arrive.
Frequently asked questions
- How many glasses do I need for a cabaret show?
- Start with one glass per expected guest for each drink type served, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 water glasses, plus 55 wine or beer glasses if those drinks are offered.
- How much food and drink should I buy for a cabaret show?
- For drinks, allow 2–3 per person during the first hour and 1–2 for every following hour. For snacks or cake, plan one portion per guest and buy 10% extra for seconds and unexpected guests.
- What sound equipment is needed for a cabaret show?
- Have one wireless microphone, speakers, a mixer, a laptop, audio cables and a DI box ready. Test the complete setup at least 60 minutes before doors open, with two spare cables available.
- What do people forget to buy for a cabaret show?
- Spare batteries, extension cords, power strips, serving tongs and name card holders are commonly missed. Check these items at least one day before the show so missing equipment can still be borrowed or bought.
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