What to Buy for a City Barbecue

A city barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food and drinks around the final guest count, then cover serving, seating, cooking, weather and waste before shopping. This list also helps you avoid late essentials such as chilled drinks, allergy information, serving utensils and safe power or fire equipment. Check the venue rules first, especially if you are using a barbecue, extension cords, tents or lighting in a public area.

Use this plan

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Drink tablesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Forksqty 70
Knivesqty 70
Spoonsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 8

Equipment

Barbecueqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Gas fire extinguisher
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 8

Kitchen

Aluminum grill traysqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Ice packsqty 24
Kitchen scale
Meat thermometerqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Table décorqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Waste sorting binsqty 3
Handwashing station
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Pork satay - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Ciabattas - 8 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Herb butter - 500 grams
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Zucchini - 12 pieces
- Bell peppers - 15 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Corn in cans - 8 cans
- Kidney beans in cans - 6 cans
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 kilograms
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 200 grams
- Paprika powder - 200 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Peanuts - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Water - 40 liter
- Sparkling water - 20 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Brownies - 60
- Marshmallows - 2 kilograms
- Gluten-free rolls without ketchup - 10 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- BBQ fire starters - 3 boxes
- Charcoal - 30 kilograms
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Table runners - 10 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes

Tips

Buy food for the confirmed guest list, including separate vegetarian portions and any documented dietary requirements. Weigh portions before the event so meat, salads and side dishes are ready to serve at the same time.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks before guests arrive and bring coolers with enough ice packs to keep them cold.
Count reusable plates, bowls, glasses, cups and cutlery against the final guest list, then add at least 10% extra. Serving spoons, tongs and trays are easy to overlook when the main tableware is already packed.
Do not leave weather cover until the last day. A party tent, tablecloths and covered serving trays protect food and seating, while checking the forecast early gives you time to confirm the venue setup.
Pack safety and setup equipment separately from food: a meat thermometer, cutting boards, kitchen knives, grill trays, fire extinguisher, extension cords and power strips should be checked before shopping day.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a city barbecue?: Use the confirmed guest count and plan about 250 to 350 grams of raw barbecue food per adult, including meat and vegetarian products. Add side dishes and salads separately, with around 150 to 200 grams per person.
How many drinks should I buy for a city barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one to two drinks per person for every additional hour. Buy extra water and keep enough chilled space for the full guest count.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery items do I need?: Prepare one plate, bowl, glass and full set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each frequently used item where practical.
When should I do the shopping for a city barbecue?: Buy non-perishables, drinks, tableware and equipment two to three days beforehand. Buy fresh meat, salads and other chilled food no earlier than one day before, then chill drinks and portion food on the event day.

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.