What you need for a neighborhood barbecue

A neighborhood barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food and drinks by guest count, then cover serving, seating, cooling, weather, lighting, and cleanup. This shopping list includes reusable tableware, buffet and drink tables, coolers, barbecue equipment, and labels for dietary requirements. Check the final guest list and dietary notes before shopping, and allow time to chill drinks and keep meat refrigerated.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Drink tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 10
Scissorsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Aluminum traysqty 12

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 60
Diet labelsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Pork satay - 60 pieces
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Barbecue sausages - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilogram
- Ready-made Russian salad - 4 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Water - 10 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Charcoal - 30 kilograms
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Aluminum disposable trays - 30 pieces

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy a mix of water and other drinks, and chill them in coolers before guests arrive.
For a mixed group, allow roughly 250–350 g of raw barbecue food per adult, with less if you are serving filling salads, bread, or sides. Add separate ingredients for vegetarian and allergy-friendly portions after checking the dietary requirements.
Count reusable plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery against the final guest list, then add at least 10% extra. A group of 40 therefore needs about 44 of each item that every guest will use.
Keep raw meat refrigerated until it goes on the barbecue, and use separate cutting boards and serving platters for cooked food. Prepare salads and cut vegetables ahead of time, but keep them chilled until serving.
Do not leave weather and lighting until the event day. Set up party tents, tables, chairs, string lights, battery lanterns, waste bins, and buckets early enough to test the layout and keep walkways clear.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a neighborhood barbecue?: Allow about 250–350 g of raw barbecue food per adult, depending on how many salads, bread, and side dishes you serve. For children, 100–200 g is usually enough. Increase the amount when the barbecue is the main meal and there are few sides.
How many drinks should I buy for a neighborhood barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per additional hour. For a four-hour barbecue with 20 guests, that means roughly 100–120 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and cups do I need for 30 guests?: Buy at least 33 plates, bowls, cups, and sets of cutlery for 30 guests, allowing 10% extra for dropped or dirty items. Add more plates and bowls if guests will return to the buffet several times.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a barbecue?: Buy drinks one to two days ahead and chill them at least four hours before guests arrive. Keep extra drinks in coolers with ice, and refill the drink table during the barbecue instead of leaving everything in the sun.

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