How Many Straws Does a Restaurant or Bar Use a Month?
A bar or restaurant serving 150 guests a day, open six days a week, uses roughly 6,000 to 6,500 straws a month. That's about two 3,000-straw cases, but your number depends on how many guests you serve and how many of their drinks get a straw.
Here's how to work it out for your own place in about a minute.
The simple formula
Straws per month = guests per day × drinks with a straw per guest × days open per month.
Then add about 10% for spills, dropped straws and guests who ask for a second one.
Using the example above, 150 guests × 1.5 drinks × 26 days is 5,850 straws. Add 10% and you get about 6,400 straws a month.
What changes the number
Your drink mix. A cocktail bar might put a straw in almost every drink. A brewery might use almost none, apart from mixers and kids' drinks. A smoothie or boba shop uses one in every cup.
Your straw policy. If you offer straws only on request, which is the law for plastic straws in several states, usage can drop a lot. Our straw laws by state map shows where on-request rules apply.
Seasonality. Patio season, holidays and events can push usage up. Look at last year's busy months and order a little ahead.
Size. Many bars stock two sizes, a short 5" straw for rocks glasses and a tall straw for highballs and iced drinks. Count each size separately.
How many cases to order
Our Original HAY! Straws come in 3,000-straw cases. The Cocktail 5" case is $99, and the Tall 7.75" case is $109. Reed straws such as Standard Reed and Wide Jumbo come in 1,500-straw cases, and Boba straws come in 500-straw cases.
So at about 6,400 straws a month, a bar using only Original Cocktail straws would order two to three cases a month, around $200 to $300. A higher-volume place might find a 12,000-straw master case is a better deal.
Skip the math
We built a free straw calculator that does this for you. Enter your guests per day, drinks per guest and days open, pick a straw, and it shows straws per month, cases needed and the monthly cost using current prices.
A tip on storage
Natural straws store well in a cool, dry spot, so there's no harm in keeping a month or two of stock on hand. Running out on a Friday night is a bigger problem than a spare case in the back.
Not sure which size fits your glassware? Check our guide to choosing your drinking straw or request a free sample first.
Quick answers
How many straws does a coffee shop use?
A café that puts a straw in every iced drink can use as many as a busy bar in summer. Count iced drinks per day, multiply by days open, and add 10%.
How many straws come in a case?
Original HAY! Straws come in 3,000-straw cases, reed straws in 1,500-straw cases, and Boba straws in 500-straw cases. Smaller boxes are available for testing.
Should I order monthly or in bulk?
If you have the storage space, bulk usually lowers your price per straw. Natural straws keep well when stored cool and dry.
Do wrapped straws change the count?
No, the count is the same. Wrapped straws cost a bit more, and many places use them only for takeout and delivery.
