Any beer stores in direct Chicago Loop?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012.

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  1. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Besides Binny's (Grand and South Loop) and Printer's Row Wine Shop, does anyone know of any smaller stores in the direct Loop area that has a decent selection? I haven't found one yet, so just curious. I usually make the trip to Binny's, but I work at 1 N. Dearborn, so just seeing if there is a hidden gem somewhere within walking distance. There is a Pastoral Wine Shop on Lake, but they have a very weak beer selection. The new giant Walgreens on State actually has some semi-decent offerings as well (found Lolita there earlier this year).

    So any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
     
    #1 mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012
  2. flurker

    flurker Devotee (336) Nov 10, 2007 Illinois

    Mariano's on Randolph has a pretty good selection, though nothing out of the ordinary. Better than Pastoral, for sure. Maybe about the same distance as Binny's for you, though.
     
    #2 flurker, Jun 21, 2012
  3. danimalarkey

    danimalarkey Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2008 Illinois

    Within a mile of your office, you get this:
    http://beermapping.com/a/32468 (though I think Just Grapes is now closed).

    Un-cork-it and Fox & Obel sometimes surprise me. The best store to add, though, would be Warehouse Liquors. In addition to amazing bourbon and single-malt whiskies, they have a solid line-up of beer and relatively little foot-traffic.
     
    #3 danimalarkey, Jun 21, 2012
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  4. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I always wondered about Warehouse Liquors. Its just a short red line/bus trip from my office. I'll definitely have to check it out.
     
    #4 mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012
  5. stephenieman

    stephenieman Zealot (552) Oct 14, 2011 Illinois

    Warehouse is a wonderful shop. I bought a bottle of CBS there when it was released.

    I walked by a new-ish looking place at 235 W Van Buren ("South Loop Market") that had bombers of Behemoth & sixers of Hopslam... though that was quite a bit ago.

    Your best bet on the West Loop is going to be the new Mariano's opening in Greektown.

    Printer's Row and then Warehouse is a great wallet-emptying trip and in a pinch South Loop Market could work.
     
    #5 stephenieman, Jun 21, 2012
  6. MarcatGSB

    MarcatGSB Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2011 Michigan

    I make it a point to stop in to Warehouse whenever I am in the city, even if I'm not in that area. Great little store, friendly knowledgeable staff and a great whisk(e)y selection.
     
    #6 MarcatGSB, Jun 21, 2012
  7. stephenieman

    stephenieman Zealot (552) Oct 14, 2011 Illinois

    Just Grapes is indeed closed but their beer selection wasnt all that hot anyway.
     
    #7 stephenieman, Jun 21, 2012
  8. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    South Loop Market looks like a good place as well. And I could grab lunch there :wink:

    Thanks guys, these are helpful.
     
    #8 mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012
  9. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Marias? isnt that south loop
     
    #9 jegross2, Jun 21, 2012
  10. danimalarkey

    danimalarkey Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2008 Illinois

    Hah! Good one! What a joker...
     
    #10 danimalarkey, Jun 21, 2012
  11. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    No seriously. I might be thinking of a different store. Began with an M...was almost like a 7/11 but they had zombie dust and 2 cases of juliet still.
     
    #11 jegross2, Jun 21, 2012
  12. DarkMagneto

    DarkMagneto Crusader (491) Apr 17, 2007 Illinois

    What's the name of that place on Wabash across the street from Columbia College. It's right by Printer's Row.

    I picked up Lolita and Juliet there.
     
    #12 DarkMagneto, Jun 21, 2012
  13. stephenieman

    stephenieman Zealot (552) Oct 14, 2011 Illinois

    Warehouse Liquors.
     
    #13 stephenieman, Jun 21, 2012
  14. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I just made a trip to Warehouse Liquors. Decent beer selection. Some of the prices are a bit high though. $21.99 for Juliet and Lolita??? Them's crazy prices. Lolita is $16-17 anywhere else. Juliet is typically $20. But they seemed to be advertising those to a "wine crowd" (based on the sign they had in front of them), so that could be why. Most things seemed about $1 more than you would pay at Binny's or my typical neighborhood stores, but it is the Loop. Guy working the desk was pretty cool and fairly knowledgeable, so I'll keep checking it out.

    They did still have a few bottles of Stone RIS, which surprised me. Those went pretty quickly around Chicago. But again, $1.50 more than I'm used to seeing.
     
    #14 mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012
  15. stephenieman

    stephenieman Zealot (552) Oct 14, 2011 Illinois

    The prices are higher down here but the silver lining is you dont have to fight nerds to get rare beers.
     
    #15 stephenieman, Jun 21, 2012
  16. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    touché, salesman.
     
    #16 mbockstruck30, Jun 21, 2012
  17. stephenieman

    stephenieman Zealot (552) Oct 14, 2011 Illinois

    Well and less inventory, convenience, smaller business, etc. = higher cost/s.
    I havent been there in ages as I think Craft Beer is getting too expensive overall but thats a topic for another thread.
     
    #17 stephenieman, Jun 21, 2012
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