How to Set Up a Drinks Table for a Party - Full Guide
A well-organised drinks table makes serving guests easy and helps your party run smoothly. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, hen do, garden gathering, or celebration at home, setting up a dedicated drinks station allows guests to help themselves while keeping everything tidy and accessible.
This guide explains how to set up a drinks table properly, including what you need, how to organise it, and which plastic glasses work best for different drinks.
Choose the right location
Start by choosing a suitable place for your drinks table. Ideally, it should be:
- Easy for guests to access
- Away from busy walkways
- Close to seating or social areas
- Protected from wind if outdoors
Using a stable table with enough space ensures drinks can be served safely and efficiently.
Select the right plastic glasses
Choosing the right drinkware is an important part of your drinks table setup. Plastic glasses are ideal because they’re lightweight, easy to handle, and available in a wide range of styles.
Common options include:
- Prosecco flutes for champagne and sparkling drinks
- Wine glasses for wine service
- Pint cups for beer and cider
- Tumblers for soft drinks and mixed drinks
- Shot glasses for spirits
You can explore the full range here:
Shop Plastic Glasses for Parties
Organise drinks by type
Group drinks together so guests can easily find what they need. For example:
- Wine bottles together
- Prosecco and champagne together
- Beer and cider together
- Soft drinks together
This makes the drinks table easier to use and avoids confusion.
Place glasses at the start of the table
Always place glasses at the beginning of the drinks table. This allows guests to pick up a glass first before selecting their drink.
Stack glasses neatly to save space and make them easy to access.
Add ice and cooling options
Keeping drinks cool helps maintain quality and presentation. You can use:
- Ice buckets
- Coolers
- Ice tubs
Place these near relevant drinks such as prosecco, wine, or soft drinks.
Provide accessories
Include useful items such as:
- Napkins
- Straws
- Bottle openers
- Bin or recycling bags nearby
This makes the drinks station more convenient for guests.
Consider using biodegradable plastic glasses
Biodegradable plastic glasses provide the same convenience as standard plastic drinkware while offering an alternative material option. They are suitable for serving prosecco, wine, and other drinks at parties and events.
Shop Biodegradable Prosecco Flutes
Estimate the number of glasses needed
A good rule is to allow:
- 3 to 4 disposable glasses per guest
- 1 to 2 reusable glasses per guest
This ensures you have enough drinkware available throughout the event.
Make it visually appealing
You can improve the appearance of your drinks table by:
- Using matching plastic glasses
- Arranging drinks neatly
- Adding decorations to match your theme
This helps create a clean and organised drinks station.
Final checklist for your drinks table
- Choose a suitable table location
- Provide the right plastic glasses
- Organise drinks clearly
- Add ice and accessories
- Ensure enough glasses are available
A properly organised drinks table helps guests serve themselves easily and keeps your party running smoothly.