Cocktail Glass Calculator

This calculator estimates the number of cocktail glasses needed by type, based on guest count, event duration and your cocktail menu proportions.

Drinks per guest

Total drinks = 2 (first hour) + 1 per additional hour

Glass allocation

Glasses are allocated proportionally based on the cocktail types on your menu. If no specific types are entered, a default split of 25% martini, 35% highball, 25% coupe and 15% flute is used.

Glasses in circulation

You don’t need one glass per drink served — washed glasses come back into rotation. The stock you need is the number of glasses each guest holds at peak, multiplied by guest count. The default of 2 glasses per guest matches the UK hire rule of thumb of 2–3 glasses per guest available at any time. A higher value means more stock standing by; a lower value assumes faster wash turnaround.

Service type & breakage

A tended bar breaks fewer glasses (10% spares) than a self-serve or batch setup where guests handle glassware themselves (18%). Switching service type sets the breakage allowance, which you can fine-tune in Advanced Options.