What to buy for an escape room party

An escape room party needs more than the booking itself. Alongside the room’s rules and team setup, you’ll need drinks, snacks, cake supplies, serving items and a few practical extras for guests arriving before or staying after the game. Plan quantities from your guest count, and check what the venue already provides before buying locks, puzzles or lighting equipment. This checklist helps you shop once and avoid last-minute runs for cups, chargers or decorations.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 14
Coat rack

Tableware

Platesqty 16
Dessert platesqty 16
Glassesqty 20
Coffee cupsqty 14
Cutlery setsqty 16
Serving plattersqty 6
Serving tongsqty 4
Cake server
Carafesqty 3

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Chargersqty 3

Escape room materials

Combination padlocksqty 6
Crates with locksqty 3
Envelopesqty 20
Printed puzzlesqty 12
UV flashlightsqty 3
Invisible markersqty 3
Puzzle keysqty 10
Notepadsqty 6
Pensqty 15

Decorations

Balloonsqty 30
Balloon pump
Buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 3
Napkinsqty 40
Wrapping paper

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Pizza cutter
Bottle openersqty 2
Coffee maker
Kettle

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop and bucket
All-purpose cleaner
Waste binsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Mini pizzas - 18 pcs
- Baguettes - 4 pieces
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Herb butter - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 800 grams
- Back ham - 600 grams
- Smoked chicken breast - 400 grams
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Salty sticks - 2 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 12 pieces
- Cucumber - 3 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 750 grams
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 500 grams
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 2 bottles
- Ice tea - 2 bottles
- Spa Blue - 2 crates
- Sparkling mineral water - 1 crate
- Apple juice - 2 cartons
- Orange juice - 2 cartons
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Birthday cake - 1 piece for 14 people
- Whipped cream - 2 canisters
- Candles - 14 pieces
- Paper straws - 20 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Garbage bags - 20 pieces
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 4 pieces
- Wet cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan around 500–750 ml of non-alcoholic drinks per guest for a short party, plus 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour if you are serving other beverages. Chill them before guests arrive and keep extra water available.
Allow 4–6 small snack portions per guest, especially if the escape room takes place near mealtime. Choose food that can be eaten standing up and label anything containing common allergens or special dietary ingredients.
Buy or gather tableware for every guest plus 10% spare: plates, dessert plates, glasses, napkins and cutlery. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item, which prevents problems when something is dropped or used twice.
If you are running puzzles outside the booked escape room, prepare one complete set per team: locks, keys, envelopes, printed puzzles, pens and notepads. Test every lock and UV flashlight at least 24 hours beforehand.
Do not leave cake and decorations until the event day. Order the cake at least 5–7 days ahead, and check the escape room’s rules before buying balloons, extension cords, music equipment or extra props.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for an escape room party?: Plan 4–6 bite-sized snack portions per guest, plus cake if it is a birthday party. For 20 guests, prepare roughly 80–120 snack portions and confirm dietary requirements at least 3 days before the event.
How many drinks should I buy for an escape room party?: Allow 500–750 ml of non-alcoholic drinks per guest for a short party, with 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour if other beverages are served. For 20 guests, that is about 10–15 litres of soft drinks and water.
Do I need to buy escape room puzzles and locks?: Usually not if the party takes place entirely at a commercial escape room. Ask the venue at least 7 days before the booking what it supplies; only buy combination locks, crates, envelopes or puzzle materials for activities you are adding yourself.
How much tableware do I need for an escape room party?: Provide one place setting per guest plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, prepare 22 plates, dessert plates, glasses, cutlery sets and napkins, with extra serving platters and utensils for shared snacks and cake.

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