Pub Quiz Shopping List

A pub quiz needs more than questions and a laptop. You will need answer sheets, pens, team labels, scorekeeping supplies, presentation equipment, drinks and serving items ready before the first team arrives. Plan quantities around the number of teams and guests, then buy disposable or easy-to-misplace items with a small buffer. This list helps you cover the details people often remember only when scoring or serving has already started.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 65
Quiz master table
Tableclothsqty 10

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
HDMI cable
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Timer
Calculatorsqty 3

Game materials

Answer formsqty 150
Score sheetsqty 12
Team badgesqty 12
Prizesqty 3
Quiz bell

Office

Ballpoint pensqty 75
Clipboardsqty 12
Name stickersqty 75
Tapeqty 3
Scissorsqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 80
Coffee mugsqty 25
Platesqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3
Bottle openersqty 3

Decorations

Pub quiz banner
Balloonsqty 30
Round signsqty 6
Signage boardsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 60 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Cheese and onion chips - 3 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Pretzels - 3 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Dry sausage - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilo
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan chips - 3 bags
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate bars - 12 pieces
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Buy at least one pen per player, plus 10% extra, so a missing or dried-out pen does not interrupt a round. Keep spare pens at the quizmaster table rather than scattering them around the room.
Prepare one answer form and one score sheet per team for every round, then add 10% spare copies. Print the questions and forms at least one day before the quiz so a printer problem does not affect the evening.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then roughly one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive, and keep separate supplies for coffee and tea rather than relying on the bar or venue.
Pack the laptop, projector, screen, HDMI cable, speakers, microphone, extension cords and power strips together, and test them at least 60 minutes before the start. Bring a second connection method if the laptop and projector do not use the same port.
Set aside prizes, the quiz bell, timer, calculators, tape, scissors and clipboards before setting the tables. These small items are easy to forget and are difficult to replace once the quiz has begun.

Frequently asked questions

How many pens do I need for a pub quiz?: Plan one working pen per player, plus 10% spare. For 40 players, take at least 44 pens and keep several at the quizmaster table.
How many answer sheets should I print for a pub quiz?: Print one answer form per team for each round, plus 10% spare copies. If you have 10 teams and 6 rounds, print at least 66 answer forms.
How much drink should I buy for a pub quiz?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and about one per person for each following hour. For 40 guests over three hours, that means roughly 160 to 200 drinks, depending on serving size and non-drinkers.
When should I test the pub quiz equipment?: Test the laptop, presentation, projector, sound and microphone at least 60 minutes before guests arrive. Pack and check all cables and power strips the day before.

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