A general starting point for how much to buy — every guest list drinks differently, so use this as a baseline, not gospel.
This assumes roughly one standard drink per guest per hour, split according to your selected mix. Always round up — see below if you're worried about buying too much.
In Alberta, most liquor stores will accept unopened, full bottles and cases for a refund — so when in doubt, buying a little extra is low-risk. The same is usually true for untapped kegs. Just keep your receipt, and confirm the specific return policy with your liquor vendor before your event — policies vary by store, and it's worth a quick call to be sure.
A rough starting framework — adjust based on what you actually know about your crowd.
| Drink type | Rough guideline |
|---|---|
| Wine / prosecco | About half a bottle per guest, per 3-hour stretch |
| Beer | About 2 pours (400ml each) per guest, per 3-hour stretch — served on tap from 20L or 30L kegs |
| Spirits (for cocktails) | About 1 bottle per 12-15 cocktails poured |
| Non-alcoholic | Always plan for at least 20-25% of guests opting non-alc |
When you book with us, we'll walk you through exactly what to buy based on your guest count and drink choices.
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