What you need for a singalong evening

A singalong evening needs more than drinks and a playlist. You’ll need enough printed lyrics, working microphones, clear sound and a simple setup for serving snacks and drinks. This shopping list covers the practical supplies, from glasses and coffee cups to extension cords, serving utensils and waste bins. Check quantities against your guest list, then buy or borrow the items that are easy to overlook, especially microphone stands, power strips and materials for handing out lyrics.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 8

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Microphone standsqty 2
Music standsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Tongs and serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 8
Name badgesqty 80

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 5 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Salami - 1 kilo
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Prepare one printed lyric sheet per guest, plus 5–10 spare copies for late registrations, lost pages or damaged sheets. Keep the lyrics in an easy-to-reach stack near the entrance.
Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks before guests arrive and use coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold everything.
For snacks, allow 3–5 small portions per person and put out several small bowls rather than one large serving dish. Keep cutting boards, suitable knives, tongs and serving spoons separate from the eating utensils.
Test the complete sound setup at least 60 minutes before arrival: laptop, mixer, active speakers and every wireless microphone. Bring extension cords and power strips, and keep cables away from walkways.
Set out around 10% more glasses, plates and cutlery sets than your confirmed guest count. Add waste bins where people eat and drink, and keep a broom and dustpan ready for broken glass or spilled food.ada

Frequently asked questions

How many printed lyrics do I need for a singalong evening?: Print one copy per confirmed guest and add 5–10% spare copies. For 40 guests, that means 42–44 lyric sheets, with a few extra for late arrivals or missing pages.
How many drinks should I buy for a singalong evening?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for every hour after that. For 30 guests over three hours, plan for roughly 120–210 drinks, depending on what you serve and whether coffee or tea is included.
What sound equipment is needed for a singalong evening?: Use active speakers, a mixer, a laptop and at least one microphone; two wireless microphones are useful for duets or hosting. Include microphone stands, music stands, extension cords and power strips, then test everything at least 60 minutes before guests arrive.
How much tableware do I need for a singalong evening?: Provide one glass, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus around 10% extra. For 40 guests, prepare at least 44 of each item, and add coffee cups if coffee or tea will be served.

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