Planning the perfect celebration—whether it’s a wedding in Oak Island, a birthday party in Shallotte, or a reunion in Southport—often comes with one big question:
How much alcohol do you actually need?
It’s easy to overspend or underestimate without a bit of planning. Here’s a helpful guide to estimating alcohol for your event so that your bar is stocked efficiently and responsibly.
🥂 Start with Guest Count and Timeframe
The two biggest factors to consider are:
- How many people are attending?
- How long is your event?
A general rule:
One guest = one drink per hour
(plus a buffer for early arrivals and late-night toasts)
Example:
50 guests Ă— 4 hours = 200 drinks minimum
Add a 10–15% buffer: plan for about 225–230 drinks total.
🍸 Break It Down by Drink Type
Depending on your crowd, you’ll want to divide the total into wine, beer, and liquor. A common breakdown:
- Beer: 40%
- Wine: 30%
- Spirits: 30%
For 225 drinks:
- Beer: ~90 servings
- Wine: ~67 servings
- Liquor: ~68 servings
Adjust this based on what your guests prefer—beach wedding crowds might lean more toward light beer and spritzers, while backyard BBQs might favor bourbon and rum-based drinks.
🍷 Bottle & Can Equivalents
Here’s what each standard serving looks like:
- Wine bottle: ~5 glasses
- 750ml liquor bottle: ~16 cocktails
- Beer can or bottle: 1 drink per unit
- Champagne bottle: ~6 flute servings
Knowing this helps you translate your totals into actual shopping quantities.
🧊 Don’t Forget Mixers, Garnishes & Ice
It’s easy to overlook the bar extras that make drinks shine:
- Mixers (tonic, club soda, juice, cola)
- Fresh garnishes (citrus, herbs, fruit)
- Ice: Plan for at least 1–1.5 pounds per person
đź“‹ Other Factors to Consider
- Service Style: Will you have a bartender, or is it self-serve? Guests pour less when drinks are made for them.
- Season & Setting: Outdoor summer events = more drinks and hydration.
- Glassware: Larger glasses = faster consumption.
- Mocktails & Non-Alcoholic Options: Essential for designated drivers and younger guests.
🧠Planning Ahead Prevents Waste
Estimating properly helps:
- Prevent over-purchasing
- Avoid running out early
- Ensure guests drink responsibly
- Keep your budget on track
đź“Ť Need More Help?
If you’re still unsure how much to order or how to build a drink menu around your event type, you’re not alone. Many hosts in Brunswick County reach out to experienced mobile bartenders for insight into guest preferences and inventory planning.
POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending provides professional event support across Shallotte, Oak Island, Southport, and surrounding areas. Their team helps clients estimate quantities, create balanced drink menus, and serve events with ease.
Explore more planning resources and bartending insights at pourthepeople.com