What you need for a stand-up comedy night

A comedy night needs more than drinks and snacks. You also need the right tableware for serving, reliable sound backups and enough cooling and preparation equipment for the catering. Plan quantities from your confirmed audience list, then add a small buffer for late arrivals and breakages. This shopping list covers the practical supplies that are easy to overlook when the focus is on booking comedians and testing the microphones.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet folding tableqty 2
Artist table
Coat rackqty 2

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Audio mixer
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Gaffer tapeqty 2
Spare batteriesqty 8
Laptop

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Food containersqty 8
Ice packsqty 12

Decorations

Backdrop cloth
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Menu standsqty 6
Name badgesqty 6

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 2

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop and bucket
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Brie - 4 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mini buns - 80 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Vegan toppings - 6 packages
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add non-alcoholic options and chill them before doors open.
Allow one glass, plate and cutlery set per attendee, plus 10% extra. For a 60-person audience, that means 66 of each item if you are not washing up during the event.
Keep a separate artist table stocked before the comedians arrive. Put drinking glasses, coffee cups, water and simple refreshments there so performers do not need to leave the backstage or stage area.
Bring at least one spare set of batteries for every wireless microphone, and keep extension cords, power strips and gaffer tape together. Test the backup batteries before the audience enters.
Prepare the buffet with serving platters, tongs and spoons, and use food containers for leftovers. Move chilled food into coolers with ice packs only shortly before serving so it stays cold.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a stand-up comedy night?: Plan two to three drinks per guest during the first hour and one more per guest for every following hour. For 50 guests at a three-hour event, that is roughly 200 to 250 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic choices.
How much tableware do I need for a comedy night?: Prepare one drinking glass, coffee cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. For 80 guests, prepare at least 88 of each frequently used item.
What sound equipment should I bring to a stand-up comedy night?: Bring active speakers, an audio mixer, wireless microphones, microphone stands and a music player, plus extension cords and power strips. Keep spare batteries and gaffer tape ready, and complete a full microphone test at least 60 minutes before doors open.
When should I chill drinks for a comedy night?: Chill drinks at least four hours before the event if possible; larger bottles and warm cases may need overnight cooling. Put only the quantity needed for the first service period in the coolers before guests arrive, then refill during the evening.

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