You are hosting a cocktail party for 80 colleagues, clients or partners: a product launch, an end-of-year party, the opening of your new offices. A successful cocktail party comes down to a simple balance: enough surfaces to put a glass down, a well-placed bar, sound for the speeches and a smooth welcome. Here is the equipment to plan, the quantities that work for 80 guests and a sample budget. All prices exclude VAT, for a 3-day or weekend hire.
How many cocktail tables for 80 guests?
Allow one cocktail table for 8 to 10 guests, i.e. 8 to 10 cocktail tables for 80 people. That is enough for everyone to find somewhere to put their glass without cluttering the room.
- The square Kubo cocktail table (€35 excl. VAT) is our most popular: modern and stable, in black or white, with a black, white or wood top.
- The classic 60 cm round cocktail table (€10 excl. VAT) is the most affordable option. Dressed with a lycra cover (from €8.50 excl. VAT), it looks far more elegant.
Also plan a few seats for guests who want them: 8 to 12 bar stools are enough, for example the Kubo bar stool (€18 excl. VAT), matching the cocktail tables.
The bar and buffets
The bar is the meeting point of the party. Place it opposite the entrance so guests move through the room.
- White or wood Relief bar: €199 excl. VAT; vintage wooden bar: €239 excl. VAT; 16-colour light-up bar: €95 excl. VAT for a more festive mood.
- For the canapés, plan 2 buffet tables: the Box 200 cm buffet table (€25 excl. VAT) or the classic 183 cm buffet table (€15 excl. VAT), with a tablecloth or cover.
- For serving: bamboo trays (€4 to €6 excl. VAT), slate trays (€6 excl. VAT), bamboo risers to add height to the buffet (from €5.40 excl. VAT).
Glasses and small tableware
Allow 2 to 3 glasses per guest over the evening, i.e. 160 to 240 glasses for 80 people:
- Symétrie flutes (€0.79 excl. VAT) or crystal coupes (€0.89 excl. VAT) for the bubbles;
- Regani glasses (€0.34 excl. VAT) for soft drinks, cocktails and beer;
- for savoury and sweet bites, Lune mini bowls and Tierra mini plates (€0.39 excl. VAT), 2 to 3 per guest.
Washing is included: simply empty the tableware before collection.
Ice and drinks
- Ice machine: €39 excl. VAT, or €59 excl. VAT for the 28 kg model.
- 14 L insulated drinks dispenser (€19 excl. VAT) or 8 L juice fountain for soft drinks.
Sound, lighting and speeches
A speech, a toast, an announcement: make sure you can be heard.
- The 0-150 people sound pack (€150 excl. VAT, or €225 excl. VAT with set-up and dismantling) easily covers 80 guests.
- Add a professional wireless microphone (€35 excl. VAT).
- For atmosphere, a 10 m festoon light string (€10 excl. VAT) or Box Kolor battery uplighters (€25 excl. VAT) make all the difference in the evening.
Welcome and cloakroom
In the colder months, a cloakroom keeps coats off the chairs.
- Coat rack with 40 hangers: €25 excl. VAT. Allow 2 racks for 80 guests.
- Cloakroom book of 50 tickets: €6 excl. VAT.
- To guide arrivals: gold stanchions (€15 excl. VAT) and velvet ropes (€4.50 excl. VAT).
Sample budget for 80 guests
| Equipment | Quantity | Price excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Square Kubo cocktail tables | 10 | €350 |
| Kubo bar stools | 10 | €180 |
| Relief bar | 1 | €199 |
| Box 200 cm buffet tables | 2 | €50 |
| Symétrie flutes and Regani glasses | about 200 | about €113 |
| Mini bowls and mini plates | about 240 | about €94 |
| 0-150 people sound pack | 1 | €150 |
| Wireless microphone | 1 | €35 |
| Coat racks with 40 hangers | 2 | €50 |
| Total | about €1,220 excl. VAT |
To add: delivery and collection, from €138 excl. VAT depending on volume, distance and timing, or no transport costs if you pick up the equipment from our depot in Champigny-sur-Marne.
Delivery and planning
We deliver and collect your equipment in Paris and across Île-de-France, 24/7, including evenings and weekends: handy for a cocktail party that finishes late. Send us your list and you will receive a detailed quote within 24 business hours. Find more priced examples on our page How much does event hire cost?