How much alcohol do I need for a 15 guest birthday party?

For a 15-guest birthday party, you need 3 bottles of wine, 2 cases of beer, 1 bottles of champagne, 2 bottles of spirits, about 65 total servings (4.3 drinks per person) with a 15% buffer included.

What is the drink breakdown for a birthday party bar?

A balanced bar for a birthday party typically includes: Wine (17%), Beer (48%), Champagne (8%), Spirits (28%). These proportions are adjusted based on event type. Birthday parties tend to favor beer.

Birthday Party Alcohol Calculator: 15 Guests

Your Complete Bar 15 guests · 4 hours

Wine	3bottles	11 servings

Beer	2cases	31 servings

Champagne	1bottles	5 servings

Spirits	2bottles	18 servings
For a proper spirits selection, that is at least one bottle each of vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila.
Batching cocktails ahead of time keeps the bar moving: Freezer Batch Cocktails has make-ahead recipes that go straight from the freezer to the glass.

65 servings, about 4.3 drinks per person

15% buffer included on each category.

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Shopping list

What to put in the cart

3bottles Wine

2cases Beer

1bottles Champagne

2bottles Spirits

Things to have on hand

Wine Glasses, Plastic

Two per drinker covers a refill without a trip to the sink.

Wine Opener

A backup means one stuck cork does not stall the bar.

Rolling Beverage Cooler

Wheels it where the crowd is instead of the crowd finding it.

Champagne Flutes, Plastic

One per guest for the toast, no washing up after.

Cocktail Shaker Set

Everything needed to mix drinks to order, not just pour them.

Bartender Kit

Jigger, muddler, and strainer in one set covers most cocktails.

Ice Bucket

Keeps a bottle at the ready without a trip back to the cooler.

Party Cups

The default cup for beer, soda, and everything in between.

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More detail

Each drink, shown with its work

Every drink page prints the arithmetic and a printable list.

Wine 3 bottles Beer 2 cases Champagne 1 bottles Spirits 2 bottles

Planning notes

Planning notes for a birthday party

Milestone birthdays such as a 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th tend to run heavier than an ordinary one.
Birthday parties call for more shots than most other events, so keep shooters in the mix.
Drinking slows noticeably during cake and presents, so expect a quiet stretch mid-party.

Birthday parties vary wildly by age group. For 21-35, stock up on beer and mixers for cocktails. For 40+, increase your wine selection. Always have extra for milestone birthdays - people celebrate harder at 30, 40, and 50.