Pub Quiz Shopping List: What to Buy and Bring

A pub quiz needs more than questions and a projector. You also need enough drinks, simple food, serving equipment and reliable cables to keep each round moving. Plan quantities around your confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for last-minute arrivals. This checklist covers the items most often forgotten, including answer sheets, spare power connections, coffee supplies, prizes and equipment for the quizmaster.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 64
Quiz master table
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Water glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
HDMI cableqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Presentation clicker
Digital timer
USB stickqty 2

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Ice box
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Quiz signsqty 8
Prizesqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Iced tea - 5 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Dry sausage - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mini sausages - 8 packs
- Vegetarian snacks - 6 packs
- Tomato sauce - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 8 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then allow one to two drinks per person for every additional hour. Chill drinks before guests arrive and keep extra stock in coolers or an ice box.
Buy food that can be served without interrupting the quiz. Allow roughly 150–200 grams of snacks per person, plus enough plates, serving bowls, serving spoons and platters for each table.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers and wireless microphones at the venue at least one day beforehand. Pack the HDMI cable, presentation clicker, USB stick, extension cords and power strips together so nothing is missing during setup.
Prepare more answer forms and score sheets than the registration count: print at least 10% extra, with a minimum of five spare copies. Keep pens available at every table, even if guests are asked to bring their own.
Order or buy prizes no later than one week before the quiz. Have one prize for each planned winning category and keep them together at the quizmaster’s table, ready to hand out after the final scores are checked.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a pub quiz?: Allow 150–200 grams of snacks per person and two to three drinks per person for the first hour. For each extra hour, plan another one to two drinks per person, with water available throughout the evening.
What equipment is needed for a pub quiz?: At minimum, prepare a laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers, HDMI cable, presentation clicker and a timer. Bring extension cords and power strips, and test the full setup at least 24 hours before the event.
How many answer sheets should I print for a pub quiz?: Print one answer form per team for every round, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 teams playing six rounds, print at least 132 forms so five or more spare copies are available.
When should I buy prizes for a pub quiz?: Buy or order the prizes at least one week before quiz night. This gives you time to replace unavailable items and prepare a clear prize arrangement at the quizmaster’s table.

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