An event drink calculator determines exactly how many bottles of wine, cases of beer, spirits, mixers, soft drinks, and bags of ice to buy for weddings, house parties, and corporate events. It accounts for duration, guest count, drinker ratios, and weather to minimize waste and overspending.
Tell us about your event and we'll calculate your complete bar shopping list bottles, cases, mixers, ice, and estimated cost. All calculations happen instantly in your browser. Your data never leaves your device.
Event Basics
Drinker Profiles
How does your guest list drink? Percentages must total 100%.
Beverage Categories
Toggle on the categories you'll serve. The drink split adjusts automatically.
Wine Split
Estimated Prices Optional
Adjust prices to match your local costs. Defaults are reasonable averages.
Your Bar Shopping List
Consumption Timeline
Estimated drinks consumed per hour expect a peak at the start!
Recommended Gear
Don't forget the essentials for your DIY bar! We recommend this heavy-duty ice cooler and a set of stainless steel cocktail shakers to keep the drinks flowing.
How the Wedding Bar Calculator Works
Planning a DIY wedding or large party means guessing how much alcohol to buy. EventBev takes the guesswork out by calculating exact quantities of wine, beer, spirits, mixers, and ice based on your guest count, event duration, and drinking habits. It even adjusts for hot weather (where guests drink more water, beer, and use more ice) and calculates a first-hour consumption spike. This tool is 100% private and runs completely in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks per person should I plan for a wedding?
Plan for 1 drink per person per hour for the first hour, then 0.5-0.75 drinks per hour after that. For a 5-hour reception with 100 guests, budget approximately 350-400 drinks total. Adjust up for younger crowds, open bars, and summer events. Adjust down for afternoon events and mixed-age gatherings.
How much ice do you need for an event bar?
Budget 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice per person for chilling drinks. If you are serving cocktails, add another 0.5 pounds per person for ice in glasses. For 100 guests at a 5-hour event, that is 150-200 pounds of ice total. Buy more than you think — running out of ice is worse than having extra.
What is the ratio of wine to beer to spirits for a party?
A common starting ratio is 40% wine, 30% beer, 20% spirits, and 10% non-alcoholic. Adjust based on your crowd: formal events trend toward more wine, casual events toward more beer, and younger crowds drink more spirits/cocktails. Always provide attractive non-alcoholic options — not just water and soda.