Host guides
Strategic Beverage Ordering: Stock List Guide
Master strategic beverage ordering with our Stock List — it plans what to buy down to the ingredient, with a built-in post-event feedback loop. Transform complex beverage planning into effortless, confident bar prep.
The Stock List is your personal drink planning assistant. This planning tool analyzes your event details — date, guest count, event type, duration, and consumption level — to instantly generate a custom shopping list based on your chosen menu.
Planning drinks for your event shouldn't feel like solving a math problem under pressure. Whether you're a seasoned host or organizing your first party, the bartendersNow Stock List is your secret weapon for effortless, confident bar prep — powered by our planning tools and accessible instantly through the bartendersNow™ app.
Unlike generic drink calculators, the Stock List pairs ingredient-level formulas with a built-in feedback loop to provide estimates tailored to your specific event parameters, helping you avoid overspending.
Formula-Driven Planning:
- Ingredient-level calculations down to each bottle, mixer, and garnish
- Built-in feedback loop designed to refine recommendations as events complete
- Recommendations tuned to your exact guest count, duration, and menu
- Consumption modeling across event type, season, and consumption level
What Sets It Apart:
- Planning tools built specifically for event beverage planning
- Our planning tools maintained in-house and refined from post-event feedback
- Parameter-based recommendations reducing guesswork
- Continuous improvement through our post-event feedback loop
- Itemized ingredients for each selected cocktail
- Recommended brands and sizes matched to your event
- Ingredient quantities for your event, rounded up to whole packages
- Estimated cost per item
- Interactive checklists for shopping and prep
- Click-through access to full beverage recipes
- Cross-platform synchronization across all devices
Once generated, your Stock List is linked to your event profile — giving your bartender a clear roadmap of what's being served.
App Access:
- Cross-platform functionality without app store barriers
- Real-time synchronization across all devices
- Automatic updates with latest algorithm improvements
As you build your drink lineup through our intuitive interface, we'll guide you with smart, experience-backed suggestions powered by our planning tools:
- Seasonal suggestions: Cocktail ideas matched to your event's season and style
- Efficiency insights: Faster service strategies with optimized menu focus
- Algorithm-backed suggestions: Avoid common pitfalls with parameter-based guidance
- The sweet spot: A recommended 3–5 signature drinks for optimal service flow
Choose from curated categories including beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, mocktails, and more. Our Stock List algorithm handles complex calculations while you focus on creating the perfect experience.
Once you finalize your menu, your Stock List includes:
- Item name with specific brand recommendations
- Recommended label/brand suggested for your preferences
- Units needed calculated by the Stock List
- Unit size chosen to reduce waste
- Estimated cost per item
- Clickable checklist items for shopping and prep tracking
- Cross-device synchronization between phone, tablet, and desktop
- Real-time updates shared instantly across all platforms
- Push notifications for shopping reminders and updates
Enter all details accurately so the formula reflects your event:
- Event Type: (Residential, Wedding, Corporate, etc.) - Affects consumption calibration
- Event Date: Seasonal factors and availability considerations
- Guest Count (21+ and Underage): Age-based consumption modeling
- Bar Open/Close Times: Service duration impact on quantities
- Consumption Level: (Light, Moderate, Heavy, or Not sure) - Personalized consumption factors
Algorithm Advantage: Each input parameter refines the calculations, delivering ingredient-level detail that would be tedious and time-consuming to work out by hand.
Once your event profile is complete:
- Navigate to "Beverage Information" section in the bartendersNow™ app
- Click "Get Your Stock List" button to generate your list
- Algorithm processes your specific parameters through our Stock List engine
- Receive ingredient-level calculations in seconds
Technology Benefits: Instant processing of complex calculations that would require hours of manual planning.
Our Stock List generates detailed recommendations across all categories:
Ingredient Calculations Based On:
- Selected cocktail recipes with their ingredient requirements
- Guest consumption patterns for your specific event type
- Service duration impact on consumption rates
- Seasonal preferences and trending cocktails
Comprehensive Coverage Including:
- Club soda, tonic water, ginger ale quantities matched to spirit selections
- Fresh juice requirements calculated by cocktail specifications
- Syrup and modifier quantities calculated for your menu
- Garnish requirements specified by cocktail selections
Parameter-Based Selections:
- Wine recommendations based on guest count and event type consumption patterns
- Beer and hard seltzer quantities calibrated for your specific demographics
- Seasonal adjustments built into the consumption model
- Package sizes selected to reduce waste
Comprehensive Planning:
- Non-alcoholic beverages: Soda, sparkling water, juice recommendations
- Ice calculations: Amounts for serving and chilling requirements
- Water provisions: Still water suggestions for guest hydration
- Service supplies: Cup quantities based on guest count and event duration
- Garnish specifications: Fresh ingredients matched to cocktail selections
Customization: The generated list represents the Stock List's recommendations, but you retain flexibility to adjust quantities based on:
- Specific guest list knowledge and preferences
- Budget parameters and priority optimization
- Prior event experience with similar demographics
- Special requirements or unique circumstances
Continuous Learning: Post-event feedback is designed to feed back into future recommendations.
Formula-Driven Planning:
- Reduce guesswork with formula-driven recommendations
- Minimize waste with ingredient quantities for your event
- Plan quantities from your guest count, duration, and menu
- Optimize budgets with itemized purchase amounts
Complete Event Support:
- Beyond alcohol: Essential items like ice, water, cups, and garnishes
- Time optimization: Instant list generation replacing hours of manual calculation
- Professional coordination: Bartender preparation supported by itemized specifications
- Calculations run on demand from the details you enter
- Cross-platform accessibility through the bartendersNow™ app
- Automatic updates as our formula configuration improves
Built to Improve Continuously:
- Post-event feedback is designed to feed back into algorithm refinement
- Seasonal adjustments built into the consumption model
- Recommendation tuning as feedback accumulates
- Ingredient usage tracking designed to sharpen future calculations
Consumption Modeling:
- Consumption forecasting based on event type, duration, and consumption level
- Waste minimization through careful quantity planning
- Quality enhancement through ingredient selection
- Service efficiency supported by itemized preparation requirements
Technology Advantages:
- Instant access without app store dependencies
- Cross-device synchronization for seamless planning
- Real-time updates with latest algorithm improvements
Keeping Coordination on the Platform:
- Platform-contained planning supporting professional coordination
- Captain Service integration for complex event coordination
- Coordination work is paid through Captain Service fees
Strategic Planning Process:
- Complete detailed event profile so the formula reflects your event
- Generate Stock List using ingredient-level calculations
- Review and refine recommendations based on specific requirements
- Put anything your bartender needs to know in your event notes
- Execute purchasing with confidence in ingredient quantities for your event
Platform Integration:
- Share specifications with your bartender in your event notes
- Leverage Captain Service for complex coordination needs
- Our planning tools working out what to buy, down to the ingredient
- Feedback-loop technology designed for continuous improvement
- Our planning tools built specifically for event beverage planning
- Continuous development through ongoing formula refinement
- Platform integration providing seamless user experience
Continuous Improvement Process:
- Post-event feedback collection for algorithm refinement
- Recommendation review through outcome comparison
- Host feedback on over- and under-purchasing
How Feedback Is Used:
- Pooled post-event feedback designed to refine recommendations for all users
- Bartender feedback designed to refine future recommendations
- Seasonal adjustments as post-event feedback accumulates
Planned Enhancements:
- Enhanced personalization through individual host preference learning
- Advanced predictive modeling for emerging consumption trends
- Integration capabilities with vendor and delivery systems
- Expanded ingredient database for diverse cocktail program support
Professional Features:
- Bartender customization allowing professional input on specifications
- Advanced coordination tools for complex event management
- Efficiency optimization for professional service enhancement
Take advantage of the bartendersNow Stock List algorithm to transform your beverage ordering process, down to the ingredient. Plan quantities for your event while minimizing waste and maximizing guest satisfaction.
Get Started Today:
- Complete your event profile with detailed specifications
- Access Stock List through the bartendersNow™ app
- Generate recommendations from your event details using our planning tools
- Coordinate with professionals for optimal execution
- Review the list with your bartender before you shop
Our Stock List pairs formula-driven planning with input from the bartender who will work your event.
- Smart Staffing Calculator: Suggests a bartender count from your event details
- Captain Service Overview: Enhanced coordination for complex events
- Event Planning Checklist: Comprehensive planning with algorithm integration