What to Buy for a Jam Evening

A jam evening needs more than instruments and amplifiers. Plan drinks for the first hour, easy snacks between sets, and enough tableware for people who stay all evening. You will also need practical items for registration, name badges, signs, cables, power and the play area. Use this shopping list to check what must be bought, borrowed or collected before guests arrive, rather than discovering missing adapters or serving spoons during setup.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 48
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Drum kit
Guitar amplifiersqty 2
Bass amplifier
Keyboard
Microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Mixer
Speakersqty 2
Monitor speakersqty 2
DI boxesqty 2
Instrument cablesqty 12
Microphone cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 6
Music standsqty 6
Guitar standsqty 4
Keyboard stand
Metronome

Tableware

Glassesqty 60
Mugsqty 40
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving bowlsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Name badge holdersqty 50
Information signsqty 6

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Spreadable butter - 2 tubs
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks several hours before doors open, not during setup.
Buy snacks and fruit that can be eaten without cutlery, and allow about 150–200 grams of food per guest for a three-hour evening. Put out serving bowls, spoons and cutting boards before the sound check.
Count tableware against your guest list: one glass or mug, one plate and one cutlery set per person, plus at least 10% extra. Extra pieces cover breakage and guests who return for another snack.
Check every cable and power item before the event. For each microphone, instrument and amplifier, confirm the matching cable, and bring spare instrument and microphone cables rather than waiting until the first performer needs one.
Prepare registration supplies before musicians arrive: name badges, signs, pens and a clear place for participant details. Keep the play-zone equipment separate from coats and registration so cables and stands do not become trip hazards.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a jam evening?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per additional hour. For 20 guests staying three hours, that means roughly 80–100 drinks, depending on whether you also serve coffee or tea.
How much food should I buy for a jam evening?: For a three-hour evening, allow about 150–200 grams of snacks and fruit per guest. For 20 people, buy approximately 3–4 kilograms in total, with extra food if the event overlaps dinner.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery sets do I need?: Start with one complete place setting per guest and add 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 glasses or mugs, 22 plates and 22 cutlery sets.
When should I check the jam evening equipment?: Check the mixer, speakers, microphones, amplifiers, stands, cables and power strips at least 24 hours before the event. Do the final sound check 60–90 minutes before guests arrive, leaving time to replace missing or faulty items.

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