What to buy for a neighborhood barbecue

A neighborhood barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food and drinks around the number of registered guests, then add the serving, cooling, and cleanup supplies that are easy to overlook. You will also need practical items for dietary labels, chilled drinks, salads, sauces, and a handwashing station. Check the barbecue and gas before shopping, especially if the equipment is borrowed or shared. This list gives you a clear starting point for buying and collecting everything before setup day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 50
Folding benchesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Meat thermometersqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 60 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 50 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Veggie sandwiches - 25 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 50 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Barbecue sauce - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 5 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemon - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Fresh fruit - 5 kilogram
- Charcoal - 30 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan roughly 250–350 g of main food per adult, plus salads, bread, sauces, and snacks. For children, allow about 150–200 g of main food.
Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill part of the supply in advance and keep the rest in coolers.
Count one reusable plate, bowl, glass, cup, and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% extra. Serving platters and tongs are needed separately from personal tableware.
Set aside labels and markers for dietary requirements before food preparation starts. Keep separate serving utensils available for clearly marked dishes.
Allow one waste bin for every 20–25 guests and prepare a handwashing station before food is served. Reusable cleaning cloths and washing-up bowls are easy to forget until the first spill.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a neighborhood barbecue?: Allow about 250–350 g of main food per adult and 150–200 g per child. Add salads, bread, sauces, and snacks rather than counting them as part of the main-food amount.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one per person for every additional hour. Buy or collect the full supply at least one day ahead so drinks have time to chill.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a neighborhood barbecue?: Provide one plate, bowl, glass, cup, and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each personal item where practical.
When should I do the barbecue shopping?: Buy non-perishable groceries, tableware, labels, and cleaning supplies two to three days before the event. Get fresh food one day before, and check the barbecue, gas, coolers, and serving equipment at the same time.

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.