Cocktail Competition Checklist

A cocktail competition needs more than drinks and a judging table. You have to lock in the format, recruit judges, process registrations, and give every team the same ingredients and instructions. Work backwards from the competition start so shopping, chilling, garnishes, jury forms, and station setup are finished before participants arrive. This checklist keeps the event moving from registration through the final judging round.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set competition format
2 people
Invite the judges
Confirm venue
Create a registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Assign teams and start order
2 people
Send competition rules
Check the shopping list
2 people
Order drinks and ingredients
Prepare jury forms
Prepare participant briefing
Do the shopping
2 people
Check ingredients
2 people
Prepare garnishes
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Open venue
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up bar and workstations
4 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Set up the welcome desk
2 people
Hang decorations
2 people
Test lighting and music
2 people
Set out ingredients per team
4 people
Hold the jury briefing
4 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Register attendance
2 people
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
Explain the competition rules
Escort teams to workstations
2 people
Guide the first competition round
4 people
Serve cocktails to the jury
3 people
Collect jury scores
2 people
Lead the second round of the competition
4 people
Restock drinks and ice
3 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Collect used glasses
2 people
Wash glasses
2 people
Calculate the scores
2 people
Announce the winner
Present the prize
2 people

Aftercare

Close the bar
3 people
Sort and remove waste
3 people
Remove decorations
2 people
Dismantle furniture
4 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Count inventory
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Send results to participants

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 8
Buffet tableqty 2

Tableware

Cocktail glassesqty 80
Highball glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Bar spoonsqty 12
Strawsqty 100

Equipment

Cocktail shakersqty 10
Jiggersqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 10
Cutting boardsqty 10
Paring knivesqty 12
Blendersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Portable coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Measuring cupsqty 8
Ice spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 8
Garnish containersqty 20
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Storage binsqty 20
Bottle openersqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Cocktail platesqty 8
Balloonsqty 40
Competition name signsqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 4
Trash bag holdersqty 6

Catering

Jury formsqty 20
Pen setsqty 12
Prizesqty 3
Name stickersqty 70
Groceries

Tips

Set the format before sending invitations. Decide how many teams can enter, how long each round lasts, what the judges score, and when the start order will be announced.
Give registrations a firm closing date, ideally 7–10 days before the event. Use the final list to collect dietary requirements, assign teams, and prepare equal ingredient sets.
Do the shopping and check every ingredient at least 2 days ahead. Chill drinks on the day, and prepare garnishes close to opening time so they stay fresh.
Set up one workstation per team with a cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, cutting board, paring knife, glasses, ice, and measured ingredients. Label each station before participants arrive.
Brief participants and judges before the first round starts. Leave at least 15 minutes for rules, scoring forms, start order, water, and questions so the competition does not lose time later.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a cocktail competition?: Start planning 3–4 weeks before the event. Invite judges and confirm the venue first, then open registration and close entries 7–10 days before the competition.
How many ingredients do I need per cocktail competition team?: Prepare one complete ingredient set per team, plus at least 10% extra for spills, breakages, and replacements. Separate the sets before setup so every team receives the same quantities.
When should I buy ice and chill the drinks?: Buy or collect the ice on the event day, allowing enough time for transport and storage. Chill drinks several hours before opening, then check the coolers again during the final setup.
How long should a cocktail competition round last?: Allow 20–30 minutes per round for mixing, presentation, tasting, and scoring. Add at least 10 minutes between rounds for judging forms, station resets, and the next team order.

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.