🥂 How Much Alcohol Do You Really Need for 100 Guests?

When planning an event, few questions cause more confusion than this one: “How much alcohol should I buy?”

Get it wrong, and you’ll either run dry too soon or end up with enough leftover booze to open your own bar.

At Southeast Bar Hire, we’ve supplied hundreds of weddings, parties, and corporate events — and we know exactly how to get the balance right. Here’s a simple, stress-free guide to help you calculate how much alcohol you’ll need for 100 guests.

🍸 The Golden Rule: 4–5 Drinks Per Guest (Per 4 Hours)

A good rule of thumb is to allow for 4–5 drinks per guest over the first four hours, then add one extra drink for each additional hour.

So, if your event lasts around 5 hours, you’ll want to plan for roughly:

• 500 drinks total (5 drinks × 100 guests)

  
  

Of course, every crowd is different — some drink lightly, others love a cocktail — but this gives you a safe average.

🍷 Suggested Breakdown for 100 Guests

To make sure you’ve got a mix that pleases everyone, here’s a typical split we use when stocking our mobile bars:

Drink Type	Percentage	Quantity for 100 Guests	Example
Beer & Cider	35%	~175 bottles/cans	Peroni, Corona, Rekorderlig
Wine	30%	~25 bottles red, 25 bottles white, 10 rosé	Mix dry & fruity options
Spirits & Mixers	25%	~10 bottles of spirits + mixers	Vodka, gin, rum, tonic, cola
Prosecco / Champagne	10%	~15–20 bottles	Ideal for toasts or arrivals

💡 Top Tip: Always buy slightly more than you think you’ll need — unopened bottles can usually be returned to most retailers.

🍹 Cocktail Lovers? Adjust the Ratios

If you’re planning a cocktail-focused event (like many of our luxury bar setups), you’ll want to stock more spirits and mixers and less wine or beer.

For 100 guests, we recommend:

• 12–15 bottles of base spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whisky)

• 40–50 litres of mixers

• Fresh garnishes and ice (you’ll be surprised how quickly it goes!)

  
  

🍾 Don’t Forget the Arrival & Toast Drinks

If your event includes a welcome drink or champagne toast, add:

• 1 glass per person for the toast

• 1–2 glasses per person for arrival drinks

That’s an extra 10–15 bottles of fizz depending on your guest count and glass size.

🧊 The Hidden Essentials

A great bar experience isn’t just about what’s poured — it’s about presentation and flow.Here’s what’s often forgotten:

• Plenty of ice (around 1 kg per guest for cocktails and chilling bottles)

• Glassware or eco-friendly cups

• Garnishes (lime, lemon, mint, berries)

• Soft drinks & non-alcoholic options for designated drivers

  
  

🎉 Or Skip the Guesswork Entirely

If you’d rather not deal with quantities, shopping lists, or leftover bottles — we’ve got you covered. Our fully stocked mobile bars come with everything from premium spirits and glassware to professional staff who know exactly how to keep your guests topped up and happy.

You focus on enjoying your event — we’ll handle the pouring. 🍹

Ready to book your event bar?👉 Visit southeastbarhire.co.uk to get an instant quote or chat with our team about your guest numbers.