What You Need for a Latin Night

A Latin night needs more than drinks and a playlist. Plan for easy-to-serve snacks, enough glasses and plates, a clear dance floor, and reliable sound equipment for music and the dance workshop. This shopping list covers the items people often forget, including serving utensils, power equipment, coolers and lighting. Buy fresh ingredients close to the event, and collect drinks and chilled items on the day itself.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Tablecloth setsqty 8
Check-in desk

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 60
Cocktail glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 40
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 10

Equipment

Wireless speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphone
Laptop
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging cablesqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED spotlightsqty 4
Disco light

Decorations

Paper fansqty 12
Buntingqty 4
Table decorationsqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon pump
Photo backdrop
Photo wall standsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Mango juice - 4 packs
- Pineapple juice - 4 cartons
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Cachaça - 2 bottles
- White rum - 3 bottles
- Dark rum - 2 bottles
- Tequila - 2 bottles
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 1 jar
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Plain tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Nacho tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Cashews - 3 bags
- Green olives - 4 jars
- Black olives - 4 jars
- Tortillas - 10 packs
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Black beans - 12 cans
- Corn - 10 cans
- Red bell pepper - 20 pieces
- Green peppers - 15 pieces
- Red onion - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Avocados - 20 pieces
- Coriander - 12 bunches
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Jalapeño peppers - 6 jars
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Sour cream - 3 kilogram
- Salsa sauce - 8 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Cumin - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Chili powder - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Pineapple - 6 pieces
- Mangoes - 8 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Watermelon - 2 pieces
- Lime pie - 3 pieces
- Churros - 100 pieces
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Coffee creamer - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Add plenty of water and keep it in separate coolers so guests can reach it easily.
For salsa, guacamole and cut vegetables, prepare about 150 to 200 grams of snacks per person. Buy or prepare these no more than 24 hours ahead, and keep dips chilled until serving.
Count one reusable plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving spoons so guests do not use their own forks for the buffet.
Test the speakers, mixer, wireless microphone and laptop at least 24 hours before the Latin night. Pack extension cords, power strips and charging cables together, and bring one spare connection cable if available.
Reserve tables and chairs before sending the final guest information, and leave a clear dance floor. Set up LED string lights, spotlights and the disco light before guests arrive so cables are not crossing the busiest areas.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a Latin night?: Plan two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by one to two drinks per person per hour. Buy extra water and chill the drinks in coolers on the event day.
How much food should I buy for a Latin night?: For snacks such as salsa, guacamole and vegetables, allow about 150 to 200 grams per person. If the snacks replace a meal, plan closer to 400 to 500 grams per person and confirm dietary requirements at least one week beforehand.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Allow one reusable plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. Add wine or cocktail glasses only for the drinks you are actually serving.
When should I prepare the shopping for a Latin night?: Buy non-perishable supplies, tableware and decorations two to three days ahead. Shop for fresh vegetables and collect chilled drinks on the day of the event, ideally four to six hours before guests arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.