Basic Bar Setup for 50 Guests

The following are general recommendations. Deciding ahead of time what kind of drinks will be available is the best way to plan. Recognize that the beverage consumption characteristics can vary significantly from one group to the next. Knowing your guests is critical and the information below should be viewed as a starting point.

Most full bars offer the basic mixed drinks including martinis, but may not extend to margaritas, bloody marys and frozen drinks. If you want to offer these type of drinks, we recommend you also refer to the expanded lists for additional items you'll need. We find that vodka is the most popular liquor, but if you know your guests are big whiskey or gin drinkers, then you'll probably want to double the amount we recommend here for those items. The brand names we give are in case you don't have your own preference or aren't familiar with a good quality brand to buy.

Beer

2 cases light; 2 cases regular

Wine (medium and light bodied)

1 case white: 8 bottles chardonnay
   + 4 pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
1 case red: 8 bottles merlot
   + 4 bottles shiraz or pinot noir

Liquor

2 large bottles vodka (e.g., Absolut or Kettle One)
1 bottle gin (e.g., Tanqueray)
1 bottle scotch (e.g., Dewars and/or
   a single malt such as Glenlivet)
1 large bottle whiskey/bourbon
   (e.g., Jack Daniels and/or Maker's Mark)
1 bottle tequila (e.g., Cuervo Gold)
1 small bottle dry vermouth
1 small bottle sweet vermouth
1 bottle rum (e.g., Bacardi)

EXPANDED SERVICE
1 bottle spiced rum (e.g., Captain Morgan's)
1 bottle each of popular liqueurs such as
   Amaretto, Bailey's, Chambord, Cointreau,
   Cr?me de Cacao, Cr?me de Cassis, Godiva
   (available in white and brown),
   Grand Marnier, Kahlœa, Ouzo, Sambuca,
   Southern Comfort, and Triple Sec
1 bottle each of popular schnapps such as
   sour apple, butterscotch, etc.

Mixers/Sodas

2 2-liter bottles tonic water
1 2-liter bottle soda water
2 2-liter bottles Coke
2 2-liter bottles Diet Coke
2 2-liter bottles 7-Up
1 2-liter bottle Ginger Ale
1 large bottle cranberry juice
1 carton orange juice

EXPANDED SERVICE
1 bottle margarita mix
1 bottle bloody mary mix
1 carton grapefruit juice
bottled/canned water (regular and sparkling)
bitters grenadine
worcestershire sauce
tabasco sauce
milk
heavy cream

Ice

1-2 pounds per guest depending on drinks being offered

Garnishes

6 limes
4 lemons
1 jar olives
1 jar maraschino cherries

EXPANDED SERVICE
salt and sugar for rims
pepper
1 pineapple
1 jar pearl onions

Equipment

bottle opener
corkscrew
jigger or shot glass
shaker
strainer
bar spoon
cutting board
sharp knife
ice bucket with scoop
cooler for icing down beer and white wine
towels
bowls for garnishes
pitcher for water
cocktail napkins/coasters
cocktail picks
small straws

EXPANDED SERVICE
pourer tops (for hard liquor bottles)
electric blender
juicer for fresh juices
swizzle sticks
straws
electric ice crusher
ice pick/chipper
vegetable peeler/twist cutter
grater

Glassware

rocks glasses (also known as an old-fashioned
   glass) for mixed drinks, sodas
wine glasses (white wine style) for wine,
   sparkling water, and beer
martini glasses for martinis and other mixed          drinks

Note: plan on 2-3 glasses per person per event as a minimum; the number of each type of glass will depend on the drinking habits of your guests

EXPANDED SERVICE
beer mug
champagne flute
coffee mug
cordial glass
highball glass (mixed)
hurricane glass (tropical mixed)
margarita glass
pilsner glass (beer)
red wine glass
sherry glass
shot glass
snifter (brandy)