As a party host, you want to keep all your guests happy and satisfied. To ensure that everyone gets all the drinks they want, you'll have to know how to stock your bar for a party. This guide will help you determine what you'll need.

• Whether you're planning a birthday party or Memorial Day cookout, throwing a Cinco de Mayo, or Super Bowl Party, you'll want to keep your guests happy by providing them with all the drinks they need. To make sure you have everything you'll need to keep the party goers sated, stock your bar in advance of the big day.

• Before you go shopping and spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars at the liquor store, estimate how many guests will be attending your party. As a general rule, you can expect most people to ingest roughly two drinks per hour. So, multiply your expected number of guests by two and then multiply that number by how many hours your party will run. For example, if you are expecting 20 guests and your party is planned to run four hours, multiply 20x2x4=160; you'll need to provide about 160 drinks.

• Next, be aware of how many drinks are in a standard liquor bottle:

1. A bottle or can of beer = one serving
2. A standard-size 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne = five or six servings
3. A fifth of liquor (750 ml) = 25 one-ounce or about 13 two-ounce drinks

(Creative Commons photo by Ryan Lackey)

• In most cases, at least some of the people attending your party will be friends, so you should already know what their drinks of choice are. If you are hosting a get-to-know you party or have invited a lot of people you don't know well, ask them what they like to drink when inviting them to your party. Use this information when you go shopping for your party supplies. This way, you will be prepared and will have the necessary supplies if some of your guests enjoy unusual beverages.

• Although your individual choices may depend on your and your guests' preferences, some basics you'll want to be sure to have include:

1. Gin
2. Vodka
3. Beer
4. A few bottles each of white and red wine
5. Rum
6. Tequila
7. Vermouth
8. Whisky

• You can save money on your liquor purchases by staying away from the higher-priced brand name liquors.

• As with any aspect of party planning, being aware of what bar items you need and then shopping accordingly can not only cut your costs, but also help ensure that your guests remain happy and satisfied.

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• Although liquor is important, you'll also need mix and ice to create tasty beverages for your guests. Be sure that you have plenty of non-alcoholic options for any non-drinking and designated driver guests.
• In addition to liquor, ensure that you have plenty of the following:

1. Soda: Several varieties of both regular and diet
2. Plenty of ice
3. Tonic water
4. Soda water
5. Bottled water
6. Several varieties of fruit juice
7. Olives to garnish your martinis
8. Lemon and lime slices
9. A corkscrew
10. A cocktail shaker or two
11. Glasses
12. Napkins
13. Stir sticks

• Introduction
• Step 1: Do the Math
• Step 2: Know Your Guests
• Step 3: Hit the Liquor Store
• Step 4: Other Supplies
• Conclusion