What you need for a rave

A rave needs more than speakers and lights. Your shopping list also has to cover drinks, snacks, wristbands, cables, safe cable routes, cloakroom supplies, and equipment for the DJ booth. Buy and reserve technical gear early, then check every delivery against the floor plan before opening. The quantities below help you avoid the items people most often leave until the last minute: power distribution, gaffer tape, drink cooling, and enough places for coats.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

High tablesqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 16
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 24
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes hangersqty 250
Bar cabinet
Bollardsqty 12

Equipment

DJ table
DJ mixer
Music playersqty 2
Main microphone
Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 4
Speaker standsqty 4
Monitor speakersqty 2
Mixer
DI boxesqty 2
XLR cablesqty 10
Power splittersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 12
Cable reelsqty 4
Cable traysqty 12
Gaffer tapeqty 8

Lighting

LED PAR lightsqty 12
Moving headsqty 4
Strobe light
UV lampsqty 4
Light standsqty 4
Light controller
Mood lightingqty 10

Decorations

Lighted garlandsqty 8
Metallic curtainsqty 6
Fluorescent tapeqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Wine glassesqty 60
Shot glassesqty 60
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Ice bucketsqty 4
Bottle openersqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Scissorsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Storage binsqty 12
Cash boxesqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 2
Wristbandsqty 250
Ticket rollsqty 3

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Vacuum cleaner
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Hand broomsqty 4
Waste binsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 48 bottles
- Cola Zero - 48 bottles
- Fanta Orange - 24 bottles
- Sprite - 24 bottles
- Ginger ale - 12 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Ice tea - 24 bottles
- Energy Drink - 72 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsener - 240 bottles
- White beer - 48 bottles
- Cider - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 3 kilograms
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 12 bags
- Salted popcorn - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Guacamole - 8 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 5 kilogram
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 500 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Plastic gloves - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 refills
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Toilet freshener - 6 spray cans
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Foil - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Diet labels - 50 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one power distribution point for each separate equipment area, and keep extension cables and cable reels available for routes that cannot run directly to a socket. Tape or cover every cable crossing before guests arrive.
Allow roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill the first stock before doors open and keep a separate reserve for refills.
For the cloakroom, prepare one clothes hanger per expected coat plus at least 10% extra. Set up the garment racks and labels before opening rather than trying to organise them during the first DJ set.
Buy wristbands or tickets with a small buffer of about 10% above the expected attendance. Sort them by type before the event so entry staff are not searching through mixed bundles at the door.
Test every microphone, speaker, monitor, music player, light, and controller with the actual cables before opening. Keep spare XLR cables, gaffer tape, and replacement power leads together at the DJ table.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks should I buy for a rave?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per person for every additional hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first service before guests arrive.
How many wristbands or tickets do I need?: Order or bring the expected attendance plus about 10%. Sort wristbands or tickets before opening and keep the reserve with the entrance team.
How many clothes hangers do I need for a rave cloakroom?: Use one hanger per expected coat and add at least 10% extra. For 100 guests, prepare roughly 110 hangers, then check the racks before doors open.
How early should I arrange rave equipment?: Reserve DJ equipment, speakers, lighting, stands, cables, and power distribution as soon as the date and location are fixed. Confirm every delivery at least 24 hours before setup, then test the full system before opening.

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