What you need for a comedy night

A comedy night needs more than chairs and a microphone. Plan drinks and snacks for the audience, serving supplies for the bar and coffee, and the equipment that keeps every joke audible. This shopping list also covers the easy-to-miss items: spare cables, power strips, name badges, printed audience information and simple stage dressing. Use your confirmed guest count to set quantities, then check the room layout before buying anything bulky.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 70
Tablesqty 8
Bar stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 3
Stage sectionsqty 4

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Laptop
Timerqty 2

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Atmosphere lightsqty 8
Light standsqty 2

Decorations

Backdrop cloth
Balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 6
Plantsqty 4
Table décorqty 8

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 2
Small bowlsqty 12
Pliersqty 4

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 2
Coffee creamer jugsqty 2
Sugar bowlsqty 2
Napkin holdersqty 8
Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Non-alcoholic beer - 2 six-packs
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Mini wraps - 8 packs
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 40 pieces
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian Snacks - 60 pieces
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add about one drink per person for each additional hour. Include extra non-alcoholic options rather than buying only alcoholic drinks.
Allow one plate, one cutlery set and one drinking glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakage or items left at the bar. For coffee, prepare enough cups for the expected coffee drinkers and keep a small reserve.
Buy or gather at least two microphone stands and enough audio cables and extension cords to reach the mixer without crossing audience walkways. Test every wireless microphone and charge the laptop and other equipment before guests arrive.
Use the confirmed room layout to decide how many chairs, tables and coat racks you need. Keep a clear route to the stage and leave space around the marked performance area instead of filling the room to capacity.
Print the run sheet, audience list, menus and name badges no later than the day before. Pack them with the timer, backdrop cloth and lighting accessories so they do not get forgotten during the technical setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a comedy night?: Plan for two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by about one drink per person for every extra hour. Add 10% to 15% if guests cannot easily buy more during the show.
How many chairs should I prepare for a comedy night?: Prepare one chair per confirmed guest, plus 5% extra if the room allows it. For 80 registered guests, that means 84 chairs; check the final registration count two to three days before the event.
What audio equipment is needed for a comedy night?: At minimum, plan active speakers, a mixer, wireless microphones, microphone stands, audio cables, extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least two hours before doors open, including a spare cable if available.
When should I buy snacks and drinks for a comedy night?: Buy packaged drinks and shelf-stable snacks two to three days ahead, then purchase fresh items no later than the day before. Fill the coolers and prepare serving bowls and spoons on the event day, before technical setup begins.

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