How much to pour.
Beer, wine and liquor for your guest count and bar hours.
Total drinks
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Wine · 750 ml bottles
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Beer · 12 oz cans
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Beer · half kegs
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Liquor · 750 ml bottles
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Estimated budget
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How it works
The math, in the open.
Plan on two drinks per drinking guest in the first hour and one per hour after that. A 750 ml bottle of wine pours five 5-ounce glasses, a 750 ml bottle of liquor about sixteen 1.5-ounce shots, and a half-barrel keg about 165 twelve-ounce beers. Everything is rounded up, so you will have a little left over.
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Drinks | guests × % who drink × (hours + 1) |
| Wine bottles | drinks × wine share ÷ 5 glasses |
| Beer cans | drinks × beer share |
| Half kegs | cans ÷ 165 |
| Liquor bottles | drinks × liquor share ÷ 16 shots |
| Mixes (wine/beer/liquor) | Balanced 50/30/20 · Wine-heavy 70/20/10 · Beer-heavy 30/60/10 |
| Budget | (wine + liquor bottles) × bottle price + cans × price ÷ 12 |
Example: 120 guests, 5 hours, 75% drinking, balanced mix: 120 × 0.75 × 6 = 540 drinks → 54 bottles of wine, 162 beers (1 half keg) and 7 bottles of liquor.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
How much alcohol do I need for 100 wedding guests?
For a 4-hour reception where everyone drinks, plan on about 500 drinks: roughly 50 bottles of wine, 150 beers and 7 bottles of liquor with a balanced mix. Change the inputs above to match your crowd.
Should I buy kegs or cans?
One half-barrel keg replaces about 165 cans. Kegs suit larger beer-heavy crowds; cans are easier to return or keep if unopened.
Related
Keep planning.
Estimates for planning, not quotes or legal advice. Formulas tested Oct 8, 2026.