3 Thirsty GoatsGraduation & milestone parties
Planning the Adult Bar at a Graduation Party
A graduation party has two crowds. This page is about the one that is 21 and over.
Plan the adult barThe short answer
Count only your guests who are 21 and over, then plan one drink per adult guest per hour. Graduation parties are daytime events with a mixed crowd, so the adult drink count is usually lower than a wedding or a holiday party of the same size.
What to buy, by guest count
Based on a three hour party. Count adult guests only. Mix used: 45% beer, 30% wine, 25% spirits.
| Guests | Total drinks | Beer | Wine | Spirits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 100 | 2 cases | 6 bottles | 2 bottles |
| 50 | 200 | 4 cases | 12 bottles | 4 bottles |
| 75 | 300 | 6 cases | 18 bottles | 5 bottles |
| 100 | 400 | 8 cases | 24 bottles | 7 bottles |
| 150 | 600 | 12 cases | 36 bottles | 10 bottles |
Beer counted in cases of 24. Wine at five glasses per bottle. Spirits in 750ml bottles at about 16 drinks each.
Want to change the guest count or the hours? Use the party drink calculator and it will do the math for any number.
Why this mix
These are daytime parties, often outdoors. Beer and seltzers lead. Wine holds steady. Spirits stay small, and a served bar is easier to keep controlled than a self serve table.
Four mistakes that cost the most
- Buying for the full guest list. Most graduation parties have a large share of guests under 21.
- An open self serve table at a mixed age party. A served bar, or a bar area away from the main floor, keeps it controlled.
- No non alcoholic drinks. At this party, that is the bigger order.
- Forgetting that Colorado law makes hosts responsible. Serving anyone under 21 carries real penalties.
How we help with graduation parties
- You send the guest count, the date and the hours.
- We build the drink plan and tell you what it takes to cover it.
- You adjust the mix to fit what your crowd actually drinks.
- We pull the order together for pickup at the store on Austin Bluffs.
We are a liquor store in Colorado Springs, not a caterer. What we do well is get the amount right and have it ready when you come get it.
Questions people ask
How much alcohol for a graduation party?
Count only guests 21 and over, then plan one drink per adult per hour. For 40 adult guests at a three hour party, that is about 160 drinks.
What is the law in Colorado?
It is illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under 21 in Colorado, including in a private home. The host is responsible. Keep the bar area separate and supervised.
What should I get for the younger guests?
That order is usually larger than the adult one. Plan on soda, water and sparkling non alcoholic options for everyone under 21.
Can you help me size the order?
Yes. Send your adult guest count and hours through the form and we will build the plan around that number.
Plan the adult bar
Tell us the date and the headcount. We will come back with a plan.
Request received
We have your details. Someone from 3 Thirsty Goats will get back to you about your graduation party.