What you need for a street party

A street party needs more than food and drinks. You will also need enough servingware, places to sit, coolers, power equipment and protection from changing weather. Plan quantities from your final guest list, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected visitors. Buy chilled items as late as possible, while reusable plates, glasses, tables and decorations can be collected several days ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 4
High tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 70
Beer benchesqty 12
Clothing rack

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable bowlsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee mugsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Pitcherqty 6
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 14
Table clampsqty 30
Directional signsqty 8
Name badgesqty 100

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue spatulasqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 20
Ice spoonsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Crates for deposit bottlesqty 6
Broomqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Safety

First aid kit
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Non-slip matsqty 6
Work glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Beef sausages - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 80 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Pita bread - 40 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Ready-made raw vegetables - 6 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 6 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Baking butter - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise-free dressing - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Peanuts - 5 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Ice lollies - 100 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 10 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Barbecue charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Cleaning product - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in multiple coolers instead of relying on one, so the serving area stays accessible.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, drinking glass and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% extra. For a group of 50, that means 55 of each item if washing during the event is not practical.
Count seats before shopping: provide a chair or bench place for everyone who may need to sit, and add at least one extra table for buffet dishes, serving platters and drinks.
Do not leave power equipment until setup day. Check the cable lengths, power strips and extension cords at least 48 hours beforehand, especially if speakers or a barbecue area will be away from the main supply.
Weather protection is easy to underestimate. Arrange party tents, tablecloths and table clamps before the final weather check, and keep directional signs and name badges somewhere dry until they are needed.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a street party?: For drinks, plan on two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for each additional hour. Food quantities depend on whether you serve a meal or snacks, so base the final shop on your confirmed guest list and dietary requirements.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery sets do I need?: Allow one of each item per guest, plus roughly 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 plates, glasses and cutlery sets if you will not wash them during the party.
When should I buy food and chill the drinks?: Buy non-perishable groceries and collect reusable equipment several days before the party. Shop for meat and other chilled food on the day before or the morning of the event, and chill drinks for at least 6 hours before guests arrive.
What do I need for a street party if the weather changes?: Prepare party tents, tablecloths and clamps before the event rather than waiting for rain. Make the final forecast check 24 hours beforehand, while keeping signs, decorations and spare serving items dry until setup.

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