What you need for a DJ night

A DJ night needs more than music and speakers. Plan drinks, snacks, serving equipment, ice and enough tableware before setup begins, then check the power and lighting supplies that are easy to overlook. For a busy dance floor, cool drinks in advance and keep bottle openers, corkscrews and serving bowls within reach. This list also covers coffee service and the practical equipment needed to connect the DJ setup safely and test it before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
DJ table
Bar stoolsqty 4

Equipment

DJ controller
Laptop stand
Active speakersqty 2
Subwoofer
Audio mixer
Wireless microphone
Speaker standsqty 2
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 5

Lighting

LED light barsqty 4
Light standsqty 2
Light filtersqty 4

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 30
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving bowlsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 8
Wristbandsqty 100

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Fruit juice - 8 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 96 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Lemons - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Sliced sausage - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then around 1 drink per person per hour after that. Chill the first supply before guests arrive and keep extra drinks in coolers.
Allow at least 1 drinking glass per guest plus 10–15% spare glasses. Add wine glasses only if wine is being served, and keep coffee cups separate from cold-drink service.
Prepare roughly 150–200 g of snacks per guest when snacks are the main food available. Use several serving bowls and platters so food can be spread across the room instead of creating one queue at the buffet.
Check the DJ equipment at least 2 hours before doors open. Test the controller, laptop stand, mixer, active speakers, subwoofer, speaker stands, audio cables, extension cords and power strips together—not one item at a time.
Make ice and coffee supplies part of the shopping run, not a last-minute task. Have enough ice cube trays or prepared ice for the first service, and test the coffee machines and kettles before the bar opens.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy for a DJ night?: Buy 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per guest per additional hour. Add a 10–15% buffer if the night runs long or guests are heavy drinkers.
How much food do I need for a DJ night?: For snacks as the main food, plan 150–200 g per guest. If a full meal is served, use the catering quantities separately and keep snacks available for the later part of the night.
How many glasses and plates do I need?: Start with one drinking glass and one plate per guest, then add 10–15% spare tableware. Buy or bring separate wine glasses and coffee cups if both drinks will be served.
When should I set up the DJ equipment?: Bring the equipment to the venue at least 2 hours before guests arrive. Leave enough time for cable routing, connecting the speakers and lighting, and a complete sound and light check.

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