Event Drink Calculator - Calculator Academy

Enter the total number of adults and the total length of the event into the calculator to estimate the number of drinks needed for the event.

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Event Drink Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the number of drinks needed for an event..

D = A * T * 1.25

Where #D is the number of drinks
#A is the number of adults at the event
T is the total time of the event (hours)

To calculate the number of drinks for an event, multiply the number of attendees by the total event time, then again by 1.25.

What is the Average Amount of Drinks a Person Has at an Event?

The average person will consume about one and a quarter drinks per hour at an event that has an open bar. Some may drink much more than this, and some may drink less, but 1.25 drinks per hour is accurate on average.

For events where the bar is not open, the drinks per hour decreases as people watch their spending.

How to Calculate Drinks Needed for an Event?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines the steps and information needed to calculate the drinks needed for an event.

First, determine the total number of adults at the event. In this case, the event is a wedding and the number of adults is 200.

Next, determine the time of the event. In this case, the wedding is 5 hours long.

Finally, calculate the number of drinks needed using the formula above:

#D = #A * T * 1.25

#D = 200* 5 * 1.25

#D = 1,250 drinks

FAQ

How do you accommodate non-drinkers in the drink calculation for an event?

To accommodate non-drinkers, you can adjust the formula by estimating the percentage of adults who will not be drinking and subtracting that from the total number of adults before applying the formula. Alternatively, you can calculate the total normally and then reduce the final number of drinks by a percentage that represents the non-drinkers.

What types of drinks should be considered when using the event drink formula?

When using the event drink formula, consider a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The formula provides a general estimate, so you should adjust the types and quantities of drinks based on the preferences of your guests. Typically, a mix of wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic options like water, soda, and juice is recommended.

How can you adjust the drink calculation for events of different durations?

To adjust the drink calculation for events of different durations, simply change the “T” variable in the formula to reflect the total time of your event in hours. The formula is flexible and can be used for any event length by modifying this variable. For very long events, you might also consider that consumption rates may decrease as the event progresses.