This is one of the most common questions we get; and it’s a smart one to ask before your event, not during it.
The short answer: for a 3-4 hour event, plan for roughly 2 to 3 drinks per guest for a cocktail-style reception. For a longer event like a wedding, that number goes up especially if the bar is open for 5+ hours.
But let’s go a layer deeper, because there are a few things that shift these numbers.
The time of day matters.
A daytime bridal shower will have lighter consumption than a late-night birthday party. Evening events where the bar is the main entertainment? People drink more. Plan for it
Your crowd matters.
A room full of drinkers versus a mixed crowd with lots of non-drinkers have very different requirements. This is why having a strong mocktail menu is actually a strategic move, not just a nice-to-have. Guests who don’t drink alcohol still want something beautiful in their hand. They’ll go through mocktails quickly.
The menu matters.
One or two signature cocktails makes volume easier to plan. A full à la carte menu means you need to account for variety in consumption.
Always build in a buffer.
Running out of drinks is the one thing no host wants to be explaining at hour three. A little extra is always worth it.
For context:
50 guests at a 4-hour evening event: roughly 100 to 150 cocktail servings
100 guests at the same event: plan for 200 to 300
These numbers shift based on your event specifics, which is exactly why a proper brief with your vendor is so important. At OTRwithB, we help clients plan their drink quantities as part of our service so nothing runs out and nothing is wasted.
Got an event coming up? Let’s plan it properly. Reach out to us on WhatsApp.