What to Buy for a Rooftop Barbecue

A rooftop barbecue needs more than meat, buns and charcoal. You also need a safe cooking setup, enough reusable tableware, chilled drinks, serving dishes and lighting for when the evening runs late. This shopping list covers the equipment and supplies behind the plan, so you can check what you already have before shopping. Pay particular attention to gas or charcoal, ice, food storage and fire-safety equipment: these are easy to overlook and difficult to replace at the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Tilting parasolqty 2
Coolersqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 36
Reusable bowlsqty 36
Reusable cupsqty 48
Wine glassesqty 24
Cutlery setsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Charcoal barbecueqty 2
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Barbecue lightersqty 4
Meat thermometersqty 2
Portable speaker
Fire extinguisher
Fire blanket

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 8
Ice packsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Table decorationsqty 6
Buntingqty 3
Name badgesqty 36

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 36 pieces
- Beef sausages - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Marinated chicken breast - 2,5 kilogram
- Salmon fillets - 2 kilogram
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 36 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Fresh coriander - 3 bunches
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- BBQ rub - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 1 kilogram
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Lemonade - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Charcoal - 12 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 5 packs
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes
- Cocktail picks - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for warm weather and keep it in coolers with ice packs.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Rooftop guests often drop or misplace items, and washing up during the barbecue is inconvenient.
Buy charcoal or check the gas supply before the event day, not when guests arrive. For a charcoal barbecue, have enough fuel for the full cooking period and keep barbecue lighters and brushes with the equipment.
Keep raw meat and fish separate from salads and bread by using different cutting boards, knives and serving platters. Aluminum trays are useful for carrying cooked food away from the grill and keeping it covered.
Do not leave rooftop safety until setup time. Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket ready, check the terrace surface and barbecue position, and use string lights or battery lanterns so walkways remain visible after dark.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a rooftop barbecue?: For a main meal, plan about 300–400 g of raw meat, fish or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, plus 150–200 g of salads and sides. Add bread, sauces and dips separately, and increase the total by roughly 10% if guests are likely to stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a rooftop barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. Include water and non-alcoholic drinks, and chill them at least 3–4 hours before guests arrive if possible.
How many plates and cups do I need per guest?: Provide one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per person, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item so replacements are available without interrupting the barbecue.
When should I shop for a rooftop barbecue?: Buy non-perishable supplies, tableware, fuel and safety equipment 2–3 days ahead. Buy fresh meat, fish, vegetables and bread 1 day before, then marinate and chill the food on the event day according to your preparation schedule.

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