Calculate the right amount of alcohol for your business event. Professional, responsible, and budget-conscious planning for office parties to client dinners.
Calculate Event DrinksHow many colleagues or clients are attending?
Cocktail hour? Full evening reception?
Professional quantities for wine, beer, and spirits
Alcohol needed for a 3-hour business event (moderate consumption)
These estimates assume moderate corporate drinking. Use our full calculator for customized quantities.
Casual after-work gathering. Keep it simple with beer, wine, and basic cocktails.
Impress clients with quality over quantity. Premium selections, professional service.
Networking-focused events. Plan for grazing throughout the event.
More festive atmosphere. Plan closer to social event levels with professional oversight.
Best practices for serving alcohol at business events
3-hour corporate reception
For 50 guests at a 3-hour corporate event, plan for about 100-150 drinks total (2-3 per person). This is lower than social events because corporate settings encourage moderation. Budget for approximately: 3 bottles of liquor, 10 bottles of wine, and 2 cases of beer, plus ample non-alcoholic options.
Plan for 2-3 drinks per person for corporate events, compared to 3-4 for social gatherings. The first hour typically sees 1.5 drinks per person, then 0.5-1 drink per hour after. Professional settings naturally encourage more moderate consumption.
Drink tickets are common and appropriate for corporate events. They help manage costs, encourage responsible drinking, and are standard practice. Typically 2-3 tickets per person works well. Always offer unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.
Keep it professional with quality basics: a selection of wine (red, white, sparkling), beer (light lager and one craft option), and 2-3 spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin) with mixers. Signature cocktails can add personality while simplifying service. Always include premium non-alcoholic options.
Daytime events (lunch, afternoon) see 30-40% less alcohol consumption than evening events. For daytime, emphasize wine, light beer, and refreshing cocktails. Evening events can include a fuller bar selection. Always provide more non-alcoholic options for daytime.
Companies can be held liable for alcohol-related incidents at company events. Mitigate risk by: using professional bartenders who check IDs and monitor consumption, offering food throughout, providing transportation options, limiting drinks via tickets, and having clearly designated non-drinking options.
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