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How Much Spirits for a 15 Guest Corporate Event?

🥃
3
bottles of spirits

For a 15-guest corporate event lasting 3 hours

15% buffer included
33
Total servings
2.2
Per person
+1
Buffer bottles

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

1

Estimate actual drinkers

15 guests × 80% drinking rate
= 12 drinkers

At small events, about 80% of guests typically drink alcohol.

2

Calculate base consumption

12 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 3 hours
= 54 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)
= 48 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)
= 33 spirits servings needed

Corporate Events typically consume 30% less spirits than average.

5

Convert to bottles

33 servings ÷ 17 servings per bottle
= 1.9 bottles (raw)

Each bottle of spirits provides 17 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

1.9 × 1.15 = 2.2, rounded up
= 3 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 5 bottles 55 servings
50 guests 10 bottles 110 servings
75 guests 15 bottles 165 servings
100 guests 20 bottles 220 servings
150 guests 30 bottles 330 servings
200 guests 40 bottles 440 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
3
bottles

Don't forget these

  • Mixers (soda, tonic, juice) (Variety is key)
    11 liters
  • Ice (~2 lbs per person)
    24 lbs
  • Cocktail glasses (2 per drinker)
    24 glasses
    Buy
  • Garnishes (limes, lemons)
    5 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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