What to buy for a quiz night

A quiz night needs more than questions and a microphone. Plan drinks and snacks for the full evening, plus enough cups, plates and serving items for every team. You will also need practical supplies for answer sheets, team identification, scoring and prizes. Check the equipment before shopping: a missing extension cord, power strip or connector can delay the start more than an empty snack bowl.

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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
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Small bowlsqty 12
Pliersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Team badgesqty 15
Name badgesqty 60
Prizesqty 3

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 trays
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Wraps - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian slices - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Quiz materials

Answer formsqty 600
Pensqty 70
Round cardsqty 8
Score sheetsqty 20
Presentation remote
Notepadsqty 20
Calculatorsqty 4
Prize bag

Tips

Plan drinks for the whole event, not just the arrival period: allow two to three drinks per person in the first hour, then about one per hour after that. Chill part of the supply in coolers and keep water available throughout.
Buy snacks that can sit on tables without cutlery, then add plates, glasses, serving trays and small bowls for anything shared. Prepare at least one option that matches the dietary requirements collected during registration.
Count team badges and name badges from the final registration list, then add two or three spares. This avoids last-minute improvisation when a guest changes teams or a badge is damaged.
Set aside prizes before the event and buy or prepare one for each planned winning category. Keep them together at the quiz table so scoring can finish without someone leaving to search for them.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers and microphone at least one day before the quiz. Pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment; they are among the easiest items to overlook when the venue setup changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks should I buy for a quiz night?: For the first hour, plan on two to three drinks per person, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Add water and allow extra if the quiz includes a meal or lasts more than three hours.
What food do I need for a quiz night?: Choose easy-to-serve snacks for the full guest count and include at least one option for every dietary requirement you received. Buy plates, serving trays, small bowls and cutlery at the same time so food can be put out immediately.
How many team badges and answer sheets do I need?: Prepare one set for every registered team, then add two or three spare sets. Print a few extra answer forms as well, because teams may lose a sheet or need a clean copy after a scoring error.
When should I test the quiz equipment?: Test the laptop, presentation, projector, screen, speakers and microphone at least 24 hours before the quiz. Do a second sound and projection check when you arrive, with extension cords and power strips ready.

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