A starting point for 50 guests
For a four-hour party, a practical starting point is to plan roughly one alcoholic drink per legal-age adult per hour after the first two drinks, then adjust for the crowd and event style.
If 35 of the 50 guests are legal-age adults who drink, a standard four-hour event might call for roughly 150–175 alcoholic servings, plus substantial non-alcoholic drinks and water.
Don't forget non-alcoholic drinks
Plan water for everyone, not just non-drinkers. Soda, sparkling water, mocktails and other non-alcoholic options also help reduce pressure on the alcoholic drink supply.
Things that change the estimate
- Event length
- Heat and outdoor conditions
- Age mix
- Whether alcohol is served
- Meal size
- Whether guests are driving
Always follow local alcohol laws and responsible-hosting practices.
Use the free PartyMath calculator and adjust guest count, appetite, menu, leftovers and other details.
Open the Drinks Calculator →Frequently asked questions
For a typical multi-hour event, start with about two drinks in the first hour and roughly one per hour after that, then adjust for the crowd.
Provide water for every guest and increase the amount for outdoor or hot-weather events.