What You Need for a Pub Quiz

A pub quiz needs more than questions and a scoreboard. Plan drinks and snacks for the full quiz, plus enough pens, answer forms and table supplies for every participant. You will also need reliable presentation equipment, spare power options and prizes ready before guests arrive. Use the planned number of teams and players to calculate quantities, then shop and chill drinks at least a few hours before the quiz starts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 70
Quiz table

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
HDMI cableqty 2
Power banksqty 2

Game materials

Answer formsqty 120
Pensqty 70
Round cardsqty 12
Reply Envelopesqty 12
Scoreboard
Scorecardsqty 20
Buzzer
Prizesqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Team name badgesqty 12
Name badgesqty 70
Pen holdersqty 12

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Bottle openersqty 3
Waste binsqty 4

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8
Dish brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 six-packs
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Dry sausage - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Vegetarian snacks - 5 boxes
- Vegan snacks - 3 boxes
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Gluten-free snacks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy a small buffer so you are not shopping during the quiz.
Prepare one answer form and one pen per team for each round, plus 10% extra. Keep spare pens at the quiz table because missing pens slow down scoring.
Plan snacks at around 150–200 g per person for a quiz lasting two to three hours. Put out serving platters and tongs rather than leaving guests to share from packets.
Check the laptop, projector, screen, speakers, microphone and HDMI cable at least one day before the quiz. Pack extension cords, power strips and a power bank as backups.
Buy prizes before you close the participant list, so the number of teams and winners is clear. Print answer forms, round cards, scorecards and team name badges no later than the day before.

Frequently asked questions

How many pens do I need for a pub quiz?: Provide at least one pen per team for every round, plus 10% spare pens. For 12 teams, prepare at least 14 working pens and keep them at the quiz table.
How much food and drink do I need for a pub quiz?: For a two- to three-hour quiz, plan 150–200 g of snacks and roughly three to four drinks per person. Add a 10% buffer, especially if guests cannot buy refreshments at the venue.
What equipment do I need for a pub quiz presentation?: Use a laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers and HDMI cable, with a microphone if the room is large. Test everything at least 24 hours beforehand and bring extension cords and power strips.
When should I print pub quiz answer sheets?: Print answer forms, round cards, scorecards and team name badges at least one day before the event. Keep 10% extra copies in case a sheet is lost or a late team joins.

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