Heading out to Madison this Wednesday then spending Sunday, Monday in Chicago, will be staying off East Wacker near the Magnificent Mile and River Walk. Per my research I found Binnys somewhat nearby but was wondering about quality of selection and what other bottle shops may be near by if any? Will have rental car, is it worth driving around downtown or is cabbing better option? Wanting to bring some bottles home and have the extra luggage, have researched packing and TSA so should be good there. On a side note, will be driving to O'hare Monday morning, how's traffic from downtown to O'hare Monday around 10am? Thanks
The Binny's near you has one of the biggest and best selections in the city, with great prices to boot. If you're around the loop, Warehouse Liquors on 8th and Wabash has the best bomber selection I've seen in the area. Beer Temple is worth checking out as well!
Rush hour should be mostly done by then. Figure 25 minutes from downtown to O'hare on the highway (plus however long it takes you to get to the highway from the loop maybe 7-10 minutes to get from Wacker & Michigan to Randolph to I-94). Keep in mind that during the height of rush hour it can take over an hour to get to O'Hare from downtown. (~8am)
I'd third the Beer Temple recommendation. Just take Elston up there and there is parking behind the shop. The Warehouse liquors on 8th and Wabash is really close to Printer's Row Wineshop (Between Harrison and Polk) on Dearborn. Both are walkable from your hotel. If you are thinking of the Binny's on Grand, that's a smaller store. There are several Binny's in the City, including one in Lincoln Park which is much larger and one on Jefferson and Roosevelt which is indeed bigger than the Grand location.
Go to Binny's Lincoln Park if you can make it. Bonus is that is right across the street from Goose Island and a 1 mile walk to Local Option if you're hungry and/or thirsty. Beer Temple should also be a stop. Parking is easy at Binny's but I prefer to take a cab or uber to get around. There's road construction all over so I'd give yourself at least an hour to get to ORD in the morning, especially if you have to return a rental car and check bags. Enjoy your visit!
Yeah, I'd say if you're staying in the Loop area, these are good suggestions. I got to Printer's Row a decent amount, and they've always got a good selection. Haven't been to Warehouse, but my understanding is that they've got a great selection as well.
You're going to want to hit up Brother 5 food and liquor. 3032 W. Roosevelt rd. Take a look at the google street view in the link below. I think you'll find a great selection of beer. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Brother+5+Food+&+Liquor/@41.866
