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How Much Spirits for a 15 Guest Halloween Party?

🥃
6
bottles of spirits

For a 15-guest halloween party lasting 4 hours

15% buffer included
76
Total servings
5.1
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 × 4 hours
= 72 base drinks

Industry standard is 1.5 drinks per person per hour for a 4-hour event.

3

Apply consumption decay

Adjusted for drinking slowdown over time (decay factor: 3.25)
= 59 adjusted drinks

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

4

Apply halloween party modifier

× 1.3 (+30% for spirits)
= 76 spirits servings needed

Halloween Partys typically consume 30% more spirits than average.

5

Convert to bottles

76 servings ÷ 17 servings per bottle
= 4.5 bottles (raw)

Each bottle of spirits provides 17 servings.

6

Add 15% buffer & round up

4.5 × 1.15 = 5.2, 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 10 bottles 127 servings
50 guests 20 bottles 253 servings
75 guests 30 bottles 380 servings
100 guests 40 bottles 507 servings
150 guests 60 bottles 760 servings
200 guests 80 bottles 1013 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for halloween party.

Your Shopping List

Everything you need, plus essentials you might forget

🥃
Spirits
The main event
6
bottles

Don't forget these

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

Pro Tips for Your Halloween Party

Insider advice from experienced bartenders

💡

Specialty cocktails with spooky names are a must - batch them ahead.

Dark spirits (whiskey, dark rum) fit the theme better than clear spirits.

🎯

Punch bowls with dry ice create amazing effects.

🧊

People in elaborate costumes drink slower - they don't want to spill.

Adult-only parties consume 40% more than family Halloween events.

🛒 Buying Guide

Halloween parties are cocktail-heavy. Plan for 2-3 specialty cocktails per person plus regular bar options. Red wine fits the theme well. Have themed cups and garnishes.

🎉

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