How much spirits do I need for 40 guests?

You need 6 bottles of spirits for 40 guests at a corporate event. This provides 83 total servings with a 15% buffer to ensure you don't run out.

How much spirits per person for a corporate event?

Plan for 2.1 servings of spirits per person at a corporate event. This accounts for the fact that not everyone drinks alcohol and consumption naturally slows as the event progresses.

How many servings are in a bottle of spirits?

One bottle of spirits contains 17 servings. For 40 guests, you'll need 6 bottles to provide 83 total servings.

What percentage of guests will drink spirits at a corporate event?

At a corporate event with 40 guests, approximately 30 guests (75%) will actively drink. Our formula accounts for this when calculating the 6 bottles you need.

Should I buy extra spirits as a buffer?

Yes! Our calculation of 6 bottles already includes a 15% buffer (1 extra bottles). This ensures you won't run out even if some guests drink more than average. It's always better to have leftovers than to run short.

How long will 6 bottles of spirits last for 40 guests?

6 bottles of spirits will last approximately 3 hours for 40 guests at a corporate event. This calculation factors in the natural slowdown of consumption as the event progresses.

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How Much Spirits for a 40 Guest Corporate Event?

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bottles of spirits

For a 40-guest corporate event lasting 3 hours

15% buffer included

Total servings

2.1

Per person

Buffer bottles

How We Calculated This

Our bartender-tested formula, step by step

Estimate actual drinkers

40 guests × 75% drinking rate

= 30 drinkers

At medium events, about 75% of guests typically drink alcohol.

Calculate base consumption

30 drinkers × 1.5 drinks/hour × 3 hours

= 135 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 3-hour event.

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 2.65)

= 119 adjusted drinks

People drink faster in the first hour and slow down as the event progresses.

Apply corporate event modifier

× 0.7 (-30% for spirits)

= 83 spirits servings needed

Corporate Events typically consume 30% less spirits than average.

Convert to bottles

83 servings ÷ 17 servings per bottle

= 4.9 bottles (raw)

Each bottle of spirits provides 17 servings.

Add 15% buffer & round up

4.9 × 1.15 = 5.6, rounded up

= 6 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	4 bottles	52 servings
50 guests	8 bottles	104 servings
75 guests	12 bottles	156 servings
100 guests	15 bottles	208 servings
150 guests	23 bottles	311 servings
200 guests	30 bottles	415 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for corporate event.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

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Spirits

The main event

bottles

Don't forget these

Mixers (soda, tonic, juice) (Variety is key)

28 liters
Ice (~2 lbs per person)

60 lbs
Cocktail glasses (2 per drinker)

60 glasses
Buy
Garnishes (limes, lemons)

11 pieces

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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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