What to buy for a pub quiz afternoon

Use this list to shop for a pub quiz afternoon without discovering gaps during setup. Plan drinks and servingware around your guest count, then check the quiz materials separately so every team has what it needs. The easily missed items are usually power strips, extension cords, spare pens and enough cups for both coffee and cold drinks. Chill drinks before guests arrive and bring all printed materials in labelled folders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tableqty 2
Registration desk
Coat rack

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Charging cablesqty 3

Game materials

Quiz bookletsqty 15
Answer formsqty 180
Pensqty 60
Team numbersqty 15
Reply foldersqty 15
Scoreboard
Round cardsqty 8
Prizesqty 3

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 80
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Table numbersqty 15

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop set
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Mini bake-off rolls - 70 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Cocktail nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Chocolate - 4 bars
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill them in coolers before transporting them to the venue.
Prepare one quiz booklet, answer form and pen for each team, plus at least 10% extra pens and forms. Pack round cards and team numbers together so they are ready at the quiz table.
For every 10 guests, plan roughly 12 drinking glasses, 12 coffee cups, 12 plates and 12 cutlery sets. This leaves a small buffer for replacements during the afternoon.
Pack the presentation equipment together: laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers and microphone. Add the required extension cords, power strips and charging cables; these are often left behind until setup starts.
Buy or bring prizes before the afternoon, not on the day itself. Keep them with the scoreboard, reply folders and other quiz materials so registration and scoring supplies do not get mixed up.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a pub quiz afternoon?: Plan drinks, coffee, tableware, buffet serving items and prizes, as well as quiz booklets, answer forms, pens and team numbers. For the technical setup, check the laptop, projector, speakers, microphone and at least one suitable power strip and extension cord.
How many drinks should I buy for a pub quiz?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person for every extra hour. Buy a small buffer of around 10% if guests cannot easily get more during the afternoon.
How many quiz sheets and pens do I need?: Prepare one booklet, answer form and pen per team, not per guest. Add at least 10% spare answer forms and pens, and pack them no later than the day before the quiz.
What do people forget to bring to a pub quiz?: The common omissions are extension cords, power strips, charging cables, a microphone and spare pens. Put all technical items in one box and test the presentation and audio at least 30 minutes before guests arrive.

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