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How Much Spirits for a 50 Guest Corporate Event?

🥃
8
bottles of spirits

For a 50-guest corporate event lasting 3 hours

15% buffer included
104
Total servings
2.1
Per person
+1
Buffer bottles

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

1

Estimate actual drinkers

50 guests × 75% drinking rate
= 38 drinkers

At medium events, about 75% of guests typically drink alcohol.

2

Calculate base consumption

38 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 3 hours
= 171 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 3-hour event.

3

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 2.65)
= 151 adjusted drinks

People drink faster in the first hour and slow down as the event progresses.

4

Apply corporate event modifier

× 0.7 (-30% for spirits)
= 104 spirits servings needed

Corporate Events typically consume 30% less spirits than average.

5

Convert to bottles

104 servings ÷ 17 servings per bottle
= 6.1 bottles (raw)

Each bottle of spirits provides 17 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

6.1 × 1.15 = 7.0, rounded up
= 8 bottles

Always round up and add a buffer. Running out is worse than having leftovers!

* Why trust this formula?

Based on industry standards and refined by bartenders with 30+ years of experience. We factor in consumption decay (people drink less as events progress) and real-world drinking percentages.

📊 Quick Reference: Spirits by Guest Count

Guests Spirits Needed Total Servings
25 guests 4 bottles 52 servings
50 guests (you) 8 bottles 104 servings
75 guests 12 bottles 156 servings
100 guests 16 bottles 208 servings
150 guests 24 bottles 312 servings
200 guests 32 bottles 416 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for corporate event.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🥃
Spirits
The main event
8
bottles

Don't forget these

  • Mixers (soda, tonic, juice) (Variety is key)
    35 liters
  • Ice (~2 lbs per person)
    76 lbs
  • Cocktail glasses (2 per drinker)
    76 glasses
    Buy
  • Garnishes (limes, lemons)
    13 pieces

Pro Tips for Your Corporate Event

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Most corporate guests self-limit to 2 drinks max - don't over-order.

Wine outsells beer 3:1 at corporate events - flip your usual ratio.

🎯

40% of corporate guests leave within 90 minutes - peak consumption is minutes 15-60.

🧊

Weekday events consume 35% less than Friday events.

Always have premium non-alcoholic options prominently displayed.

🛒 Buying Guide

Focus on quality over quantity for corporate events. Stock premium wines and craft options rather than bulk quantities. Have elegant non-alcoholic options visible - many professionals choose not to drink at work functions. A sophisticated sparkling water with citrus is always appreciated.

🎉

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