5 great booze shops in Chicago

With its dark paneled wood, stained-glass windows, heavy draperies, gilded-framed portraits and candelabra sconces, the city’s oldest liquor store resembles a Victorian-era library. Established in 1888, the shop stocks an incredible collection of rare wines and spirits as well as everyday bottles to pop for a casual picnic.

This former ‘slashie’ (half-liquor store, half-bar) was given a new life in 2010 when its second-generation owners built out a speakeasy-style bar behind the walk-in cooler. The liquor shop stays current with hyper-local spirits and beers, including in-house line Marz Community Brewing.

This no-frills liquor store rises above the rest for one reason: customer service. Established in 1957 as a corner tavern and packaged goods store, Vas Foremost offers a comprehensive catalogue of spirits, beer and wine. The tavern has long since closed, but the store has grown.

Specializing in rare and hard-to-find beers, ciders, meads and perries. Domestic and imported bottles are neatly arranged in the cozy space, accented with a curated selection of books about imbibing. Another house specialty: single barrels of bourbon and rye from some of Kentucky’s very best distilleries.

Colorful regional maps and worn Persian rugs lend this modest shop an inviting feel. It’s easy to linger when there’s so much to read: most bottles are marked with neatly handwritten descriptions that are so eloquent, they’ve been analysed in creative writing workshops. Near the register, look for miniature chairs made from spent bottle cages.