What you need for a disco party

A disco party needs more than drinks and a playlist. Plan what guests will use at the bar, buffet, cloakroom and dance floor, then check the sound and lighting setup before guests arrive. Buy or bring serving equipment, cooling space and cable-safety items as well as food and drinks. This list helps you avoid the common last-minute gaps: not enough glasses, nowhere to hang coats, and missing cables or power strips.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Coat hangersqty 80

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving traysqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Water jugsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speaker standsqty 2
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Cable traysqty 4

Lighting

Discovery lighting
LED light barsqty 4
LED uplightsqty 6

Decorations

Disco ball
Balloon archesqty 2
Metallic garlandsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blue - 8 trays
- Spa Rood - 4 trays
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Pretzel sticks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Bitterballen - 240 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 160 pieces
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Cardboard snack trays - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Add water for the full guest count and chill drinks before the venue opens.
Allow one drinking glass per guest plus roughly 20% extra, and provide separate wine glasses if wine is being served. Plates, cutlery, serving trays and serving spoons should be ready before snacks reach the buffet.
Give every guest a clear place for a coat: use one coat hanger per person and leave spare hangers for jackets brought by helpers. Set up the cloakroom before the first guests arrive, not during the music setup.
For the dance floor, test the speakers, mixer, laptop, microphones and audio cables before the party starts. Bring extension cords, power strips and cable trays; tape or cover cables where guests will walk.
Set up coolers, water jugs, bottle openers, cutting boards and knives at the bar before shopping is unpacked. Keep the disco ball, LED bars and uplights separate until the sound and power checks are complete.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a disco party?: Count on two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, followed by one to two drinks per person per additional hour. Include water for every guest and keep a separate reserve for drivers and non-drinkers.
How many glasses should I buy for a disco party?: Provide at least one drinking glass per guest and add about 20% extra for breakage and refills. If you serve wine, plan separate wine glasses rather than making guests reuse the same glass.
When should I set up the disco party lighting and sound?: Connect and test the speakers, mixer, laptop, microphones and lighting before the venue opens to guests. Allow at least 60 minutes for setup and testing, especially when extension cords and cable trays are needed.
What should I prepare for the disco party buffet?: Set out plates, cutlery, serving trays and serving spoons before placing the snacks. Prepare the buffet at least 30 minutes before guests arrive so the bar, coolers and dance floor are not competing for your attention.

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