The Complete Event Drinks Checklist: Everything You Need for a Flawless Celebration in Busselton

From glassware and mixers to ice and alcohol, this checklist ensures your event bar is fully stocked, plus how Brew Plus in Busselton can take care of it all.

Don’t Let Event Drinks Be an Afterthought

You could plan the perfect menu, hire a DJ, and decorate beautifully, but if your drinks run out, glasses are wrong, or there’s no ice, guests will remember that more than anything else. The truth is: the event bar often makes or breaks the vibe.

That’s why having a complete drinks checklist can take stress off your shoulders. We’re talking alcohol, mixers, ice, garnishes, glassware, setup, everything. And this guide is built to help you plan confidently, avoid surprises, and impress guests from start to finish.

Because here in Busselton, Brew Plus isn’t just your local bottle shop, we’re your event drinks partner. Whether you're throwing a backyard BBQ, a wedding reception, or a milestone celebration, we can supply the drinks and the support to make it seamless.

Let’s start from the beginning, by knowing who’s coming, what kind of event it is, and how long the celebration will last. That sets the stage for every other decision to flow smoothly.

Step 1 – Know Your Guest List and Event Style

Before you even look at a drinks menu, you need to understand who’s coming and what kind of event you’re hosting. These two details shape everything, from how much alcohol to buy, to what kind of drinks should be served.

Guest Count and Age Group

Are you catering to 20 close friends, or 100+ mixed-age guests?

Here’s what to consider:

• Adults-only event? Focus on wine, beer, and a few crowd-pleasing spirits.

• Family-friendly? Add more non-alcoholic options like soft drinks, juice, and water.

• Cultural mix? Be aware of drinking preferences or restrictions.

Tip: Plan for around 3–4 standard drinks per adult, per 3 hours of your event, more on that in Step 3.

Type of Event (Formal, Casual, Cocktail, BBQ)

Your drink selection should match your event’s vibe.

• Casual BBQ or house party: Beers, easy-drinking wines, premix spirits

• Formal dinner or wedding: Champagne/sparkling wine, curated wine list, light cocktails

• Cocktail party: Spirits, mixers, and a few signature recipes on hand

Planning a beachside gathering or backyard wedding in Busselton? Brew Plus can help you customise your drinks menu to suit the setting.

Duration and Time of Day

• Daytime events often call for lighter drinks like sparkling, white wine, or spritzes.

• Evening events may lean into red wines, craft beers, or whiskey options.

• Longer events (4+ hours) require a broader mix of drinks and extra quantities.

Timing affects not only what to buy but when to chill, serve, and restock. (We’ll cover setup tips in Step 5.)

Step 2 – Choose the Right Alcohol

With your guest list and event style in mind, it’s time to stock the bar. The best drinks selection balances quality, variety, and practicality, and works for your food menu too.

Let’s break it down by category.

Wine (Red, White, Sparkling)

Wine is a must for most gatherings, and an easy win for food pairings.

How much?
Allow 1 bottle per 2 guests for wine-drinking events (more for longer meals).

Recommended types:

• Red Wine – Ideal for BBQ meats, roast beef, or lamb
  Try: Domain Naturaliste Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon or La Violetta Bilingue GSM

• White Wine – Great with chicken, seafood, and summer salads
  Try: Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc

• Sparkling – Perfect for toasts and canapés
  Try: La Cache Blanc de Blanc, Chandon Brut NV

Beer and Cider

These are BBQ staples and crowd favourites, especially in warmer months.

How much?
Estimate 2–3 stubbies or cans per adult, per 3-hour event.

Spirits and Mixers

For cocktail parties or more premium events, include a small selection of spirits and mixers.

Suggested spirits:

• Vodka – for basic mixers or cocktails

• Gin – pairs beautifully with citrus or tonic

• Whiskey or Bourbon – great with dessert or meat-heavy menus
  Try: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Margaret River Classic Botanical Gin

Mixers to stock:

• Tonic water

• Soda water

• Lemonade

• Cola

• Fresh citrus (lemons, limes)

Non-Alcoholic Options

Not everyone drinks, and that’s perfectly okay. Offering quality non-alcoholic options keeps things inclusive.

• Sparkling water

• Soft drinks

• Juice

• Zero-alcohol beer or wine

• Mocktail mix (ask Brew Plus for ideas)

Step 3 – How Much to Buy: Simple Drink Calculator

Running out of drinks mid-event? Disaster. Over-buying and blowing your budget? Also not ideal. With a few quick numbers, you can strike the perfect balance.

Here’s how to calculate your event drinks like a pro.

General Rule: 3–4 Standard Drinks Per Adult, Per 3 Hours

Use this as a baseline and adjust based on:

• Event length

• Guest preferences

• Type of drinks served (beer vs spirits vs wine)

Tip: One bottle of wine = 5 standard drinks
One 700ml spirit bottle = ~22 standard drinks
One 375ml beer/cider = 1.1 standard drinks

Sample Calculation Table

Guests	Wine Bottles	Beers (Stubbies/Cans)	Spirits (700ml Bottles)
10	6–8	24–30	1–2
25	15–20	60–75	2–3
50	30–40	120–150	4–6
100	60–80	240–300	8–10

Assumes a mix of drinks and 4-hour event duration

Budgeting Tips: How to Save Without Cutting Quality

• Bundle & Save: Brew Plus offers weekly specials and case discounts

• Mix Price Points: Combine a few premium wines with good-value mid-range bottles

• Offer BYO Spirit Mixers: Let guests bring a bottle, you supply soft drinks and garnishes

Need help fine-tuning? Pop into Brew Plus and ask our team to run the numbers with you, we’ve stocked everything from backyard birthdays to full-scale weddings.

Step 4 – The Forgotten Essentials Most Hosts Overlook

Even the best-planned drink menu can fall flat without these often-overlooked extras. Don’t let warm wine or missing glassware ruin the vibe, here’s what most people forget (but you won’t).

Ice (How Much You Really Need)

You’ll always need more ice than you think. It’s used for chilling, serving, and mixing, and it melts quickly in the WA sun.

General rule:

• 1 bag of ice (5kg) per 10 guests, per 3 hours

That means:

• 20 guests = 4–6 bags

• 50 guests = 8–12 bags

• 100 guests = 15+ bags

Tip: Brew Plus stocks bagged ice, you can add it to your order or grab it last-minute from the drive-thru.

Glassware: Matching Drinks to Vessels

Serving beer in wine glasses or whisky in plastic cups? Big miss.

Basic glassware checklist:

• Wine glasses, both red and white (if formal)

• Champagne flutes, for toasts or sparkling wine

• Highballs, for mixed drinks or spirits

• Beer cups or schooners

• Water glasses or plastic tumblers

If you’re hiring glassware, Brew Plus can help you estimate quantities based on your drink menu.

Garnishes, Tools & Other Accessories

The finishing touches make your drinks feel intentional, and elevate even the simplest pour.

Don’t forget:

• Lemons, limes, cucumber, mint

• Straws, stirrers, napkins

• Bottle openers & corkscrews

• Cocktail shaker or jigger (if mixing)

• Paper towel and a bin for cleanup

Hosting a cocktail hour? We can help you bundle mixers, garnishes, and bar tools in one pickup.

Step 5 – Setup and Storage Tips for a Smooth Event

It’s one thing to buy the right drinks, but how you chill, serve, and store them can make or break your event. Here’s how to avoid last-minute stress and serve like a pro.

Pre-Chill Timeline: What to Put on Ice and When

No one likes warm bubbles or room-temp beer. Plan ahead so everything hits peak refreshment right on time.

Chill drinks 4–6 hours before the event or speed things up with an ice bucket rotation.

Drink Type	Chill Time Needed	Ideal Temp
Sparkling Wine	4+ hours	6–8°C (very cold)
White/Rosé Wines	2–4 hours	7–10°C
Beers & Ciders	3–5 hours	5–7°C
Spirits	—	Room temp or lightly chilled

Tip: Keep mixers and soft drinks in the esky too, guests expect cold everything.

Bar Setup for Self-Serve vs Bartended Events

Each format has pros and cons, choose what fits your event size and vibe.

Format	Best For	Pros	Considerations
Self-Serve Bar	Casual BBQs, small events	Easy setup, budget-friendly	Needs signage & glassware refills
Bartended Bar	Weddings, large events	Professional service, better control	Requires staffing or volunteer help

Need gear? Ask Brew Plus about bar tools and setup supplies when placing your order.

Safe Drinking and Responsible Service Considerations

Being a great host means keeping things fun and safe.

• Provide plenty of water stations

• Offer non-alcoholic options

• Don’t over-pour, standard drinks matter

• Use signage to remind guests to drink responsibly

• Follow DrinkWise Australia recommendations for service and safety

Brew Plus staff are always happy to offer guidance on safe quantities per person, especially for weddings or licensed venues.

Brew Plus Event Services: Make It Easy, Local and Reliable

Planning drinks for an event shouldn’t feel like a second job. At Brew Plus, we take the pressure off by offering everything you need in one convenient spot, backed by local service you can count on.

What We Provide for Events

Whether you’re organising a wedding, birthday, corporate function, or backyard celebration, Brew Plus can help you stock and serve with confidence.

Here’s what we offer:

• Beer, wine, cider, spirits & RTDs – A wide range of crowd-pleasers and local standouts

• Non-alcoholic drinks – Including premium mixers, soft drinks, and alcohol-free wines

• Bagged ice – Ready for esky loading or last-minute top-ups

• Glassware hire – Ask about availability for wine glasses and champagne flutes

• Custom bundles & packs – Tailored to your guest count and event vibe

Need something specific? We’re happy to source it or make a recommendation based on your food, budget, and style.

How to Order and Plan with Our Team

Getting started is simple:

1. Visit us in-store – The best way to plan your drinks list is face-to-face with our friendly team.

2. Bring your numbers – Guest count, event type, drink preferences

3. We’ll build a custom quote – Including quantity estimates and suggested pairings

4. Reserve stock & schedule pickup – For the day before or day of your event

Planning a wedding or large function? Ask us about early ordering, bundle discounts, and flexible pickup options.

Popular Event Packages in Busselton

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few popular combos we’ve helped customers build:

Backyard BBQ Bash for 25

• 2 cases of crisp lager

• 1 mixed dozen red and white wine

• 2 bottles of gin, 1 of vodka

• Tonic, soda, soft drinks

• 6 bags of ice + plastic cups

Wedding Reception for 80

• Sparkling wine for toasts (10 bottles)

• Mixed wine for tables (30 bottles)

• Beer & cider (6–8 cases)

• Spirits & mixers (6 bottles + soda/tonic)

• Glassware + ice

Engagement Party for 40

• Chilled prosecco + rosé

• Craft beers (2 cases)

• Non-alcoholic punch station

• Garnishes, mixers, ice, disposable glassware

Every event is different, and we love helping you build the right drinks list for your celebration.

Conclusion: Make Every Celebration Seamless

From milestone birthdays to laid-back BBQs, drinks are the heartbeat of any Aussie event. But they don’t organise themselves, which is where this checklist (and Brew Plus) comes in.

By planning early, choosing the right mix of drinks, and remembering the essentials like glassware and ice, you’ll avoid last-minute stress and create a bar setup your guests will love.

At Brew Plus, we help make it easy. With a wide selection of local and premium drinks, helpful staff, and event-ready services, we’re Busselton’s go-to bottle shop for celebrations big and small.

Need help planning? Pop in, give us a ring, or explore our Weddings & Events page to get started. Whether it’s a casual get-together or a fully catered wedding, we’ll help you raise a glass to a smooth, stress-free celebration.

Quick FAQs

What’s the best way to stock a bar for a wedding?

Start by estimating guest count, then include a mix of wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Aim for 3–4 drinks per person and ask your local bottle shop (like Brew Plus) for bundle deals.

How much alcohol do I need for a party of 50?

Rough guide:

• 15–20 bottles of wine

• 6–8 cases of beer or cider

• 6 bottles of spirits

• Mixers, ice, and soft drinks to match

Use our in-store drink calculator for a tailored estimate.

Can I get glassware and ice at Brew Plus?

Yes! We offer bagged ice, and glassware hire (limited in style & quantity) is available for many event types. Enquire in-store for availability and booking.

Does Brew Plus supply drinks for events in Busselton?

Absolutely. We provide full drinks packages for weddings, corporate functions, and private parties, complete with advice, quantity planning, and custom bundles.

Where can I buy mixers and non-alcoholic drinks for a party?

Brew Plus stocks a full range of premium mixers, soft drinks, soda water, and alcohol-free options, perfect for mixed guest lists and responsible service.