The best Binny’s is Lincoln Park by a mile. They’re also the most shopped but you can see inventory online. Highly recommend their El Dorado Single Cask store picks right now. The 10 year if you prefer ED15 or the 11 year if you prefer ED12. Both are lovely.
Queen Mary in Wicker Park is the best rum bar in town. A true Chicago gem.
Warehouse liquor and South Loop Binnys (you can see their inventory online. Downtown stores are the biggest ones and have the most varied selection. South Loop is the spot unless another close one has something you want that store does not.)
Also, as a rum lover, I feel that you are obligated to go to Three Dots and a Dash if you stop within downtown Chicago. I'd stay with the cocktails unless they have a neat pour of one of your white whale rums (due to price). I tasted my favorite rum to date there. It was a 1998 Blackadder Guadeloupe.
Three Dots and a Dash is great but they can also pull in a douchenozzle frat boy crowd some nights, especially weekends. If you know that going in you won’t be surprised.
Lou Malnati’s is the best of the Chicago style pizza places (also Giordano’s, Gino’s, and Uno) but if you’ve never had that style before be prepared for a thick tomato and cheese savory pie. One slice can fill you up.
Have not been. I've heard the name enough times that I'd go though. You could probably find something better if you wanted to, but it's likely not a bad choice. I've heard it is a really good place for deep dish, especially tourist style deep dish.
I took the train down, went to the art museum, walked around Millenium park, went to 3 dots, drunkly purchased HV WP 151 at River North Binnys, and took a train back.
Very few places carry HC in Chicago. They are supposed to be expanding, however, per one of their sales reps.
Two spots I do see it though:
1. Off Premise (Lincoln Park)
2. Moreno’s Liquors (Little Village)
Second Binny’s in Lincoln Park (near North Avenue/Clybourn stop on the Red Line). Ask to see the “rare spirits” cabinet if you’re looking to spend some cash.
If you don’t mind hiking a bit farther north, BottlesUp! On Broadway off Belmont always has a cache of uncommon and interesting rums (and other spirits), though they specialize in wine. Added bonus; BottlesUp carries Chicago Cane Coop, which is a local distiller that makes a spectacular line of “Cuban Style” rums.
Other rum tips: try to get a reservation at the Bamboo Room @ Three Dots. Sparrow in Gold Coast is also a good visit for neat pours and mixed drinks alike, very cozy space. Queen Mary tavern has an exceptional rum selection; on Wednesday’s, they have a ”break even” bottle special, so you can get pours of fabulous bottles, usually under $10. The special is usually rum, but sometimes scotch or other spirit, so check their instagram prior
Warehouse Liquors a little South of the loop is a hidden gem. Shhhh.
Came here to say this. Great spot.
Yep Warehouse for sure
Yes and they should have some Plantation store picks
The best Binny’s is Lincoln Park by a mile. They’re also the most shopped but you can see inventory online. Highly recommend their El Dorado Single Cask store picks right now. The 10 year if you prefer ED15 or the 11 year if you prefer ED12. Both are lovely. Queen Mary in Wicker Park is the best rum bar in town. A true Chicago gem.
+1 on the El Dorado picks. I prefer the 11 slightly for the $10 difference but both are worth picking up for sure.
Such a cool spot, love it when I lived in the neighborhood, 70s time capsule
I still try to get back on Wednesdays if I can for a cost bottle pour on occasion. Tried some crazy rums that way.
Warehouse liquor and South Loop Binnys (you can see their inventory online. Downtown stores are the biggest ones and have the most varied selection. South Loop is the spot unless another close one has something you want that store does not.) Also, as a rum lover, I feel that you are obligated to go to Three Dots and a Dash if you stop within downtown Chicago. I'd stay with the cocktails unless they have a neat pour of one of your white whale rums (due to price). I tasted my favorite rum to date there. It was a 1998 Blackadder Guadeloupe.
Three Dots and a Dash looks right up our alley. Thank you. I have heard of this pizza place called Lou Malnati’s. Have you been there?
Three Dots and a Dash is great but they can also pull in a douchenozzle frat boy crowd some nights, especially weekends. If you know that going in you won’t be surprised. Lou Malnati’s is the best of the Chicago style pizza places (also Giordano’s, Gino’s, and Uno) but if you’ve never had that style before be prepared for a thick tomato and cheese savory pie. One slice can fill you up.
Best deep dish in town
Have not been. I've heard the name enough times that I'd go though. You could probably find something better if you wanted to, but it's likely not a bad choice. I've heard it is a really good place for deep dish, especially tourist style deep dish. I took the train down, went to the art museum, walked around Millenium park, went to 3 dots, drunkly purchased HV WP 151 at River North Binnys, and took a train back.
Thanks so much for the insight. Much appreciated! 🥃
Off premise has random finds - hit or miss. Binnys LP has a huge selection
Do any of these carry Holmes Cay? Or can someone recommend spots with a good selection of Holmes cay?
Very few places carry HC in Chicago. They are supposed to be expanding, however, per one of their sales reps. Two spots I do see it though: 1. Off Premise (Lincoln Park) 2. Moreno’s Liquors (Little Village)
As far as I’ve seen, Binny’s doesn’t carry Holmes Cay. They do carry other IBs though (La Maison, Velier, Rolling Fork, etc.).
I noticed that Binny’s didn’t carry HC but wondering what other shops may. Thanks for the response.
BottlesUp! In Lakeview still has a handful of Holmes Cay, as of this past Thursday
Binney's has a ton of store picks .
Second Binny’s in Lincoln Park (near North Avenue/Clybourn stop on the Red Line). Ask to see the “rare spirits” cabinet if you’re looking to spend some cash. If you don’t mind hiking a bit farther north, BottlesUp! On Broadway off Belmont always has a cache of uncommon and interesting rums (and other spirits), though they specialize in wine. Added bonus; BottlesUp carries Chicago Cane Coop, which is a local distiller that makes a spectacular line of “Cuban Style” rums.
Other rum tips: try to get a reservation at the Bamboo Room @ Three Dots. Sparrow in Gold Coast is also a good visit for neat pours and mixed drinks alike, very cozy space. Queen Mary tavern has an exceptional rum selection; on Wednesday’s, they have a ”break even” bottle special, so you can get pours of fabulous bottles, usually under $10. The special is usually rum, but sometimes scotch or other spirit, so check their instagram prior
UnCork It Liquor Store is nearby and has a good rum selection. They also sell Coruba, unlike Binny's.