Dance party shopping list

A dance party needs more than music and drinks. This shopping list covers the practical items for serving guests, keeping coats organised, lighting the room and running the sound setup. Buy disposable or reusable tableware according to your guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected guests. Drinks, ice, cables and batteries are the items most often left until the last minute, so check them at least one day before the party.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Tall cocktail tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 80

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 50
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving traysqty 8
Small bowlsqty 10
Serving jugsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Party bannerqty 2
Balloon archesqty 2
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Table decorationsqty 8

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Music controller
Laptop
Microphone
Speaker cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Lighting

LED party lightsqty 4
String lightsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 96 cans
- 0.0 beer - 24 cans
- Rosé wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Pretzel sticks - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Cashews - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian wraps - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Tips

Plan around 3 drinking glasses per guest if you are washing and reusing them; for a self-serve setup, have at least 1.5 glasses per guest available at the same time. Add 10% extra for breakages.
Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch several hours ahead and keep extra stock in coolers.
Provide 1 plate, 1 cutlery set and 2 small bowls per guest for snacks, plus 10% spare tableware. Serving trays and jugs are easy to overlook but keep the drinks table from becoming crowded.
Test active speakers, the music controller, laptop, microphone and all speaker cables before guests arrive. Pack at least 2 extension cords and 2 power strips, and keep cables away from the dance floor.
Set up coat racks and hangers before the first guest arrives, allowing roughly 1 hanger per coat. Inflate balloons and assemble decorations no earlier than the day before, so they stay presentable without blocking the dance floor.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy for a dance party?: Plan for 2 to 3 drinks per guest in the first hour, followed by 1 drink per person per hour. For a four-hour party, that means about 5 to 6 drinks per guest, adjusted for non-drinkers and drivers.
How many glasses do I need for a dance party?: Allow 1.5 drinking glasses per guest for a self-service table, or about 3 per guest if you are collecting and washing glasses during the party. Add 10% extra to cover breakages and lost glasses.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a dance party?: Buy non-perishables 2 to 3 days beforehand and refrigerate drinks at least 6 hours before guests arrive. Put the first batch in coolers shortly before the party so there is still space for fresh stock.
What sound equipment do I need for a dance party?: Prepare active speakers, a music controller, a laptop, speaker cables, a microphone, extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 2 hours before the party and save the playlist offline before the event.

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.