Brunch Party Rentals for 20 to 50 Guests: Tables, Chairs and Buffet

Brunch is a long, relaxed meal that sits between breakfast and lunch. Guests arrive within a half hour of each other, they eat for an hour or two, and they linger over coffee. That makes it close to a seated lunch, with one important twist: the drink table is as popular as the food.

Two ways to serve

Stations spread people out and shorten lines, so they suit larger brunches. Family style needs wide tables, so choose 72-inch rounds or long tables. Learn more in buffet line flow and serving speed and food station ideas and equipment.

A floor plan for 30 guests

Place settings for brunch

Brunch uses a simpler setting than dinner:

• A dinner plate, 9 to 10.5 inches, for the main food
• A small side plate if you serve pastries or fruit
• A fork and knife, and a spoon for yogurt or soup
• A napkin, 20 x 20 inches
• A water glass and a second glass for mimosas, juice or coffee, plus a coffee cup and saucer if you serve hot drinks

Use our casual place-setting diagram for spacing. For counts, see how many plates per guest, and for glasses see how many glasses per guest. A coffee service for 30 needs roughly one 30-cup urn; read how many coffee urns for a party.

Chairs that suit a long morning

Brunch guests sit for 2 hours or more, so comfort matters. Bentwood chairs feel like a cafe. Cross-back chairs, estimated at $8 to $11, are warm and sturdy. Rattan garden chairs work for a sunroom or patio. Ghost chairs, about $10 to $14, stay out of the way of floral tables. Light colors reflect the bright morning feel.

Timeline

Chicago-area notes

Brunch is easy to hold in a sunroom, a restaurant private room or a backyard in the morning, when it is cooler. In winter, a brunch at home needs coat storage and warm drinks. In summer, start earlier and add shade. Chicago mornings in spring can be chilly even when afternoons are warm, so consider a tent with sidewalls or heaters. If your brunch is at a restaurant, ask about outside rentals and fees. For suburban homes, check parking for 20 to 50 cars and ask neighbors.

The mimosa and coffee bar

The drink table does most of the work at a brunch, so give it its own space. A 6-foot table holds a tub of chilled sparkling wine or a pitcher, juice in two or three flavors, a bowl of fruit for garnish and a stack of flutes. Put a separate section at one end for coffee and tea, with an urn, cups, saucers, sugar, cream and stir sticks. Keep it away from the food line so people can top off a cup without joining a queue.

Add a no-alcohol option that looks as inviting as the rest, such as sparkling water with citrus or a pitcher of iced tea. Check Illinois rules for serving alcohol at private events if you plan to hire a bartender or sell tickets. Ice buckets, a tray for empties and a trash can under the table keep it tidy. For a table of 30 guests, many hosts set a pitcher of water on every table so the bar is not the only source.

Plan your brunch

Book a free 15-minute seating call and we'll set the list for your headcount, or request a quote with your date and venue.