Tables and Linens for Caterers: Buffet, Prep and Service Tables

What tables, skirting and linens a catered event needs for buffets, bars, prep and back of house, with counts by guest list and cloth sizes.

November 2, 2026 · 4 min read · By the Beyond Chiavari team

3D render of a catered buffet line with chafing dishes on ivory linens, a beverage station with a lemonade dispenser and coffee urn, and a cake table — Buffet and beverage station

Guest tables get all the attention. The service tables, the ones a caterer needs to do the job, are where lists are short and events slow down. A buffet on a card table, a bar with no front or a prep station on a patio chair all signal a gap in the rental list. This guide counts every service table and matches linens to each.

Count the service tables

About 13 service tables on top of the guest tables for 100 guests.

Area	Table	Count for 100 guests	Cloth
Buffet line	6 or 8 ft banquet	3 to 4	90 x 132 or 90 x 156 in, skirted
Bar	6 ft banquet	2	Floor-length or bar front
Dessert	6 ft	1	Floor-length
Drinks and coffee	6 ft	1	Floor-length
Cake and gifts	48 in round, 6 ft	2	108 in round, 90 x 132 in
Back of house prep	6 or 8 ft	2 to 3	Plain or covered
Welcome, escort	6 ft	1	Floor-length

Use these counts as a starting point and check them against the final menu. Stations multiply the numbers; see food station ideas.

Table types a caterer asks for

6-foot and 8-foot banquet tables, 30 inches wide, for buffets and prep. An 8-foot table holds 3 chafers, a 6-foot holds 2.
60-inch rounds, for cake and escort cards.
Cocktail or highboy tables, 42 inches tall, for stations and standing guests; see the tablecloth size chart.
Plain utility tables, for the prep tent, often with no linen.
Serpentine or half-round, for decorative buffets and dessert displays.

Linen choices for service tables

1Step 1Buffet frontfloor-length cloth or pleated skirt to hide boxes.
2Step 2Top layera darker or contrasting cloth where food spills most.
3Step 3Bar fronta cloth, a spandex cover, or wood for a rustic look.
4Step 4Back of houseplain white cloth or butcher paper over the table.
5Step 5Spares2 extra cloths per 10 service tables.

Sauce stains, wine and grease are hard on linen. Pick a darker color or a pattern for the buffet and keep white for guest tables. Ask your rental company about damage fees for stains from food and fuel. Burn marks from chafing fuel can ruin a cloth, so use a heat pad or trivet under each frame.

Skirting and finishing

Banquet-style skirting, a pleated fabric strip clipped to the table edge, makes a buffet look finished for the guest-facing side, while the back stays open for access. A skirt usually needs clips and a table cloth on top. For a floor-length cloth, check the height of the table, because older tables may be 29 inches. For cloth sizes, read the tablecloth size chart.

Plan space for service tables

Allow at least 36 inches of space around service tables, 48 inches in busy areas. A buffet line wants 12 to 20 feet of table; see buffet line flow. Do not forget a table for dirty dishes and a table for gifts, since people end up placing them wherever they find space. Check with your venue about their tables; many banquet halls include their own banquet tables but charge for linen.

Linen color and chairs

Dark service tables around lighter guest tables draw the eye to the food. A neutral service linen leaves room for color on the guest tables. If your guest tables use ivory linen with ghost chairs, a deep green or charcoal buffet cloth adds contrast. For a casual layout, natural linen goes with rattan garden chairs.

Chicago planning notes

Chicago banquet halls vary on whether they supply tables for caterers. Ask early. In a rented loft or gallery, loading elevators and stairs limit table size. In tents, add tables for the caterer's prep zone as described in catering prep tent and back of house space.

Service tables for 100 guests: 13; Service tables for 100 guests
Cloth for 6 ft table (in): 90 x 132; Cloth for 6 ft table (in)
Cloth for 8 ft table (in): 90 x 156; Cloth for 8 ft table (in)
Clearance around: 36 in; Clearance around
Spare cloths: +2; Spare cloths
Standard table height: 30 in; Standard table height

Frequently asked questions

How many tables does a caterer need?

Plan 3 to 4 buffet tables, 2 prep tables and tables for the bar, desserts and drinks for 100 guests. The exact count depends on menu and staff.

What size tablecloth for a buffet table?

A 90 x 132-inch cloth reaches the floor on a 6-foot table, and a 90 x 156-inch cloth on an 8-foot table.

Should the buffet tables be skirted?

Skirting hides what is under the table and looks finished from the guest side. A floor-length cloth works if you do not need access from the front.

What linen color is best for food tables?

A darker or patterned color hides stains. Keep white for guest tables.

Do caterers bring their own tables?

Some do and some do not. Ask in the first conversation, and check what the venue includes.

What is the best table for a bar?

A 6-foot banquet table with a floor-length cloth, or a rented bar. Provide a work table behind for ice and supplies.

Add the service tables to your list

Book a free 15-minute seating call or request a quote and we will help you count every table, not just the guest tables.

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