What You Need for a Harbor Barbecue

A harbor barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Use this shopping list to cover food, cold storage, serving equipment, cooking tools and shelter for your guests. Plan portions from the final guest count, then leave time to chill food, prepare salads and sauces, and set up the buffet safely. Check the barbecue, gas supply and venue before shopping so you do not discover a missing cylinder or table on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 3
Tableclothsqty 9

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12

Equipment

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Grill tongsqty 4
Spatulasqty 3
Kitchen scalesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Ice spoonsqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Table décorqty 9
Menu sign cardsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Hand broomsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 50 pieces
- Sausages - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Garlic bread - 6 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Bell peppers - 15 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Fruit salad - 5 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 150 gram
- Fresh herbs - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Ice tea - 5 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 96 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 5 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cream - 5 liters
- Brownies - 60
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each following hour. Buy extra water, especially if guests will be outside in warm weather.
Keep meat and vegetarian food in separate coolers or sealed containers. Chill both before leaving and take enough ice to keep food cold until it reaches the barbecue.
For each guest, allow one dinner plate, one drinking glass and one complete cutlery set, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving platters and utensils so guests do not use cooking tools at the buffet.
Check the gas barbecue and cylinders several days before the harbor barbecue, not while setting up. Bring a spare cylinder if the cooking time is long or the guest count is high.
Pack weather supplies with the shopping: party tents, tablecloths and power equipment if needed. Keep extension cords and power strips away from wet ground, and prepare a dry place for salads, desserts and servingware.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a harbor barbecue?: Use the final guest count as your base and plan roughly 300–400 grams of barbecue food per adult, including meat, vegetarian options and vegetables. Add salads, bread and dessert separately, with about 10% extra for late arrivals or larger appetites.
How many drinks should I buy for a harbor barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for every additional hour. Include water for everyone, then separate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks so you can chill and serve them efficiently.
How much ice do I need for a harbor barbecue?: Allow about 1 kilogram of ice per person when coolers must keep drinks and food cold for several hours. Buy it on the day or the evening before, and use separate coolers for drinks and perishable food.
When should I shop for a harbor barbecue?: Buy drinks, disposable or reusable serving items and dry ingredients two to three days ahead. Shop for fresh meat, vegetarian food and vegetables no later than the day before, then chill and prepare them according to your food-safety plan.

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