What to Buy for a Street Party

A street party needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough reusable tableware, serving equipment, coolers, seating and power supplies for a long outdoor day. Plan quantities from the confirmed guest list, then add a small buffer so a broken glass or extra guest does not stop service. Check dietary requirements before shopping, and arrange chilled drinks, ice and borrowed equipment at least one day ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 8

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Hot traysqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigerators
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Traffic signsqty 4
Sandbagsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Table décorqty 8
Adhesive hooksqty 40
Ropeqty 2

Sports equipment

Ballsqty 6
Skipping ropesqty 6
Sidewalk chalkqty 6
Ring toss set

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Broomqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Mopqty 3
First aid kit

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Red onion - 2 kilograms
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Green salad - 5 kilograms
- Herb butter - 10 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Cheese sticks - 6 packs
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pies
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Watermelon - 4 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice pops - 80 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one reusable plate, bowl, glass and full cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each item used throughout the meal.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per hour after that. Chill part of the supply in refrigerators and keep the rest in coolers with ice.
Plan one table seat for every guest who will eat at once, plus separate buffet tables. Keep serving spoons, tongs, small bowls and bottle openers at the food and drinks areas before guests arrive.
For coffee and tea, provide roughly one cup per guest if it is served once, or two per guest for a longer afternoon. Fill thermos flasks or hot trays shortly before serving so drinks stay hot.
Do not leave extension cords, lighting and sound equipment until setup time. Check cable lengths and power access the day before, and keep cables away from walking routes and wet areas.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a street party?: Use the final guest list as your base. Plan two to three drinks per person in the first hour, then about one per hour; for food, allow at least one substantial serving per guest plus 10% extra.
How many plates, glasses and chairs do I need for a street party?: Buy or borrow one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. Provide one chair per guest who needs to sit, and add a few extra if children or older guests are attending.
When should I buy drinks and ice for a street party?: Buy shelf-stable drinks and tableware two to three days ahead. Collect ice and chilled drinks on the day itself, ideally two to three hours before guests arrive, so they stay cold.
What equipment do I need to serve food at a street party?: Prepare buffet tables, serving spoons, tongs, small bowls, cutting boards, kitchen knives and hot trays. Have the serving setup ready at least 30 minutes before food is put out.

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