What to Buy for a Music Pub Quiz

A music pub quiz needs more than questions and a playlist. You will need practical supplies for check-in, team tables, serving food and drinks, judging answers, and playing clips clearly. Use the guest count and number of teams to work out quantities: plan one response form per round and one drink glass per guest, plus spares. Buy prizes early, and test every cable, microphone and speaker before the quiz day rather than discovering a missing connection during the first round.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Judges' table
Check-in desk
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Tea glassesqty 40
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Music postersqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 8
Name badgesqty 70

Equipment

Laptop
Laptops for the juryqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Monitor screen
HDMI cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Music remote control
Timerqty 2
Calculatorsqty 4
Power banksqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 8
Battery lampsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sprite - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- Beer - 72 cans
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Pens - 80 pieces
- Pencils - 20 pieces
- Packing tape - 4 rolls
- Labels - 2 packs

Tips

Buy or bring at least one response form per team for each round, plus 10% extra for mistakes or late registrations. Keep printed questions and answers separate so the jury can check results without handing out the answer sheet.
For drinks, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per person per later hour. Add coffee cups, tea glasses and reusable drinking glasses separately; guests rarely all use the same type of drinkware.
Plan one chair per participant and enough tables for the assigned teams, with a separate judges’ table and check-in desk. Set aside space for waste bins and coolers before decorating the room.
Bring one laptop for playback and separate laptops for the jury if several people are checking answers. Pack HDMI cables, extension cords and power strips, then test the complete setup with the monitor screen and speakers at least one day beforehand.
Buy prizes before the invitations go out if they need ordering or collecting. Prepare name badges, tablecloths and music posters with the shopping trip, while keeping the timer, calculators, remote control and power banks together in one labelled box.

Frequently asked questions

How many quiz answer sheets do I need?: Prepare one response form for every team in every round. For 8 teams playing 6 rounds, that means 48 forms; print at least 5 extra for corrections or last-minute teams.
How much food and drink should I buy for a music pub quiz?: For drinks, plan two to three per person during the first hour and one to two per person for each later hour. Buy 10% extra glasses, plates and cutlery, especially if food is served between rounds.
What equipment do I need to play music clips at a pub quiz?: Use a laptop, speakers, the required HDMI cables and a monitor screen, with extension cords and power strips for the room layout. Test the full chain at least 24 hours before the event and keep a power bank available for phones or small devices.
When should I buy prizes for a music pub quiz?: Buy prizes at least one week before the quiz, or earlier if they require ordering. This gives you time to check the number of winning teams and display the prizes before guests arrive.

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