If you know your headcount and how long the bar will run, you can work out an alcohol order in about a minute. This page does it for the most common party sizes. For anything in between, or to turn categories on and off, use the free calculator.
Step one: drinks per guest
The rule bartenders work to is two drinks per guest in the first hour, then one per guest for each hour after.
| Bar length | Drinks per guest |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | 3 |
| 3 hours | 4 |
| 4 hours | 5 |
| 5 hours | 6 |
| 6 hours | 7 |
Multiply by the number of guests who will actually drink. That is your total drink count.
Step two: turn drinks into bottles
- 750ml bottle of liquor: about 17 drinks at a 1.5-ounce pour
- 750ml bottle of wine: 5 glasses
- Case of beer or hard seltzer: 24 drinks
Full bar chart: four-hour party
Liquor, beer and wine all served, split 50 percent liquor, 25 percent beer, 25 percent wine. Rounded up to whole bottles and cases.
| Guests | Total drinks | Liquor (750ml) | Beer (24-pack cases) | Wine (750ml) | Est. store spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 125 | 4 bottles | 2 cases | 7 bottles | |
| 50 | 250 | 8 bottles | 3 cases | 13 bottles | about $429 |
| 75 | 375 | 12 bottles | 4 cases | 19 bottles | |
| 100 | 500 | 15 bottles | 6 cases | 25 bottles | about $823 |
| 150 | 750 | 23 bottles | 8 cases | 38 bottles | about $1,224 |
| 200 | 1,000 | 30 bottles | 11 cases | 50 bottles | about $1,618 |
Store spend is a mid-shelf estimate from our calculator, covering alcohol only. Shelf prices vary by store.
Beer and wine only chart: four-hour party
No liquor, split evenly between beer and wine.
| Guests | Total drinks | Beer (24-pack cases) | Wine (750ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 125 | 3 cases | 13 bottles |
| 50 | 250 | 6 cases | 25 bottles |
| 75 | 375 | 8 cases | 38 bottles |
| 100 | 500 | 11 cases | 50 bottles |
| 150 | 750 | 16 cases | 75 bottles |
| 200 | 1,000 | 21 cases | 100 bottles |
How much alcohol for 25 guests
About 125 drinks over four hours. At this size, whole-bottle minimums matter more than the percentages. Five different spirits for 25 people means five open bottles and a lot of leftovers. Pick two, usually a vodka and one other, and you will pour a better bar for less money. Four bottles of liquor, two cases of beer and seven bottles of wine covers it.
How much alcohol for 50 guests
About 250 drinks. Eight bottles of liquor, three cases of beer and 13 bottles of wine. One bartender handles this comfortably. This is the classic backyard party size, and it is the point where ice starts to matter. You need 100 pounds of it for drinks alone.
How much alcohol for 75 guests
About 375 drinks. Twelve bottles of liquor, four cases of beer and 19 bottles of wine. This is the crossover point where a second bartender starts to earn their place, particularly if you are serving made-to-order cocktails.
How much alcohol for 100 guests
About 500 drinks. Fifteen bottles of liquor, six cases of beer and 25 bottles of wine, with two bartenders. For a five-hour event such as a wedding, move up to 18 bottles, seven cases and 30 bottles. The wedding alcohol guide covers the longer bar and the champagne toast.
How much alcohol for 150 guests
About 750 drinks. Twenty-three bottles of liquor, eight cases of beer and 38 bottles of wine. At this size, order from the store two to three weeks ahead and ask about delivery. This is more than one carload.
How much alcohol for 200 guests
About 1,000 drinks. Thirty bottles of liquor, 11 cases of beer and 50 bottles of wine, with four bartenders. Ask the retailer about a case discount and confirm the return policy on sealed bottles.
When to adjust the numbers
Buy more if:
- The party is a younger crowd or a late-night event
- It is a hot day outdoors, which pushes beer and seltzer up
- A signature cocktail is on the menu, which pushes liquor up
Buy less if:
- It is a daytime event, a shower or a brunch
- Many guests are driving a long way home
- The event is a work function on a weeknight
Change the split if:
- Your crowd is mostly beer drinkers. Move to 30 percent liquor, 50 percent beer and 20 percent wine.
- It is a dinner party. Wine with the meal can reach half of all drinks.
Do not forget what goes with it
Alcohol is only part of the shopping list. Per guest, plan on:
- Two pounds of ice for drinks, plus more for chilling
- About five cups
- Mixers, juice, soda and citrus if you are serving liquor
- Water and soft drinks for the people not drinking
The ice and mixer guide breaks each of those down by headcount.
Buying in New Jersey
For a private event in New Jersey, the host buys the alcohol from a licensed retailer and the bartender pours it. A bartending company without a liquor license cannot sell it to you or include it in a package. The upside is that you pay shelf prices and keep every unopened bottle. See dry hire, explained and where to buy alcohol for your event.
Common questions
Is it better to over-buy or under-buy?
Over-buy. Many retailers take back sealed bottles, so the cost of extra is small. The cost of running dry is the party.
Do these numbers include non-drinkers?
No. Count only the guests who will drink, then plan soft drinks and water separately for everyone else.
How many bartenders do I need?
Roughly one per 50 drinking guests. The pricing page shows what that costs for your headcount.
Next step
Have the quantities? See what it costs to have someone pour them.