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Andersonville Wine and Spirits
Category: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
5201 N Clark St(between Farragut Ave & United States Highway 41)
Chicago, IL 60640
Neighborhoods: Andersonville, Uptown
(773) 769-0858
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
79 reviews for Andersonville Wine and Spirits
Review Highlights
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"Excellent liquor store for craft beer." In 21 reviews -
"Great selection of wines and very helpful staff." In 10 reviews -
"The guys that run the shop are helpful and knowledgeable." In 3 reviews
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79 reviews in English
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Review from Lakshmi R.
Chicago, IL
1/12/2012
I love this liquor store passionately and fiercely. And it's not just because it's my local liquor store. They carry a truly amazing selection of IPAs and specialty brews. In fact, I think Andersonville Wine and Spirits is a major contributing factor to Andersonville's fantastic drinking scene. I love being able to buy from here and honestly, most of the other liquor stores I've visited in Chicago have been disappointing by comparison.
Other pluses: the fun family that owns and works at the store. They are nice and knowledgeable, and I especially love chatting with the family patriarch about how some day Palestine, their homeland, will be free. xo, guys. -
Review from Caroline M.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2012
After a night at Hopleaf I, of course, thought it'd be a great idea to stop in. Which it was. However, I left the store a lot poorer.
ooooooh wine! yay!
omg....BEER! woah.
The employees probably thought I was crazy. :P
I spotted (and purchased) a fantastic moscato d'asti that I've been unable to find recently. It was a cool $12. Whole Foods used to have it for $10, but whatevs. A nice chablis caught my eye, too. And a 6 pk of Sierra Nevada.
Good times. -
Review from ilovesushi- L.
Chicago, IL
3/6/2012
Its a great corner store. Excellent wine selection. Don't be afraid to ask for suggestions and the clearance rack. They also have a great beer selection too. Good service, fair prices and great selection. If your running late, need to pick up a few bottles of wine or cases of beer, this place won't disappoint.
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Review from Jelena Z.
8/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've been hanging 'round A-ville a bit lately, and I never show up at a friend's house empty-handed. Even if he already has a fridge stocked almost exclusively with, ahem, condiments (can't complain; I may be the female version) and every imaginable wine, spirit and beer.
Except he doesn't have any fruity beers. And c'mon - every tall, strapping young man needs at least one dalliance with a fruity beer! Enter me with a solid assist from my friends at Andersonville Wine and Spirits. Not only does AWAS have just about every craft beer ever crafted (okay, that may be a stretch) but the rows are replete with both domestic and international selections. They stock the hard stuff in addition to the beer with plenty for the winophile as well. And the chilled section is outstanding - thankfully, someone has their priorities in check. 'Cause when you're ready to drink, who's got time to chill?
Tonight's dessert? Wells Banana beer and Sam'l Smith organic strawberry ale. Deefrickinlicious! And now you'll have to excuse me because a tall drink of beer is waiting for me.
*$10 minimum for credit card purchases. -
Review from Lauren V.
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic selection of craft beers. Part of me didn't want to write this review because I wanted to keep this find my own little secret! Dogfish Head, 3 Floyds, Bell's, Founders.....pretty much you name it, they have it. The guys that work there are friendly and very helpful when I had questions about different beers and their availability. This self-proclaimed beer geek is in beer heaven!
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Review from Nate W.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
4.5 stars. Awesome selection and good prices.
A store in Lincoln Park had a seasonal brew that sells out quickly, so the store had a one 6-pack maximum on it. (Lame.)
I called up Andersonville and not only did they have it, they said "you can buy a whole case if you want to" - and it was about 15% cheaper than the other store. (Cool.) -
Review from Jeremy G.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2012
I live really close to this place, and it used to be my go-to liquor store. However, the last time I went in there, I was overcome by cigarette smoke when I walked in the door and immediately noticed that the clerk was smoking behind the counter. Sorry if I offend the smokers out there, but smoking in a place of business, especially your own place of business, is pretty gross and unprofessional - and it was one of those rare 50 degree days in January. Is that even legal in this city? It's not a much farther for me to walk to other neighborhood shops, so that will be the last time for me.
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Review from Molly O.
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am seriously jellies that my friends have this place around the corner from their apartment.
I was sent on a mission to get some ice, but found a majestic wonderland of booze instead. 2 for $10 22oz bottles of Stone Arrogant Bastard and their IPA? Bottles from my favorite wineries for less than Binny's (Luna for $8.99!)?. Shiiiiiiit. The guy behind me was purchasing a full assortment of Fee Brothers bitters, which made the store's cool factor skyrocket.
If I didn't have two armfuls of ice I would have been in trouble.Listed in: I have a little crush on…
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Review from KELLIE K.
7/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
To anyone on their way to my place, or any other destination, this is a good spot to stop and grab something for your BYOB.
They have a fairly decent booze selection, including a lot of good craft beers, all at multiple price points. It's easy to walk in and find something for almost everyone. Always remember, don't show up empty handed!
Its location is perfect for pedestrian traffic. If you're driving by, you may have to do some advanced planning.Listed in: Walk This Way
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Review from Matt K.
Chicago, IL
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great selection and very friendly owners. They even peel the price tags off the bottle so you don't look like a chump when you go into the party with your bottle of red.
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Review from Amy A.
Chicago, IL
1/24/2012
Every time I go in this place I find something new. The selection is amazing, and it's all good stuff, as far as I have discovered. The staff is helpful and has helped me pick out some winners a few times. They seem to know the neighborhood and which items are BYOBed nearby. They even have a decent cigar collection, or so I was told. Great corner liquor store.
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Review from Andre W.
7/20/2011
I like this liquor store! Right on the northeast corner of Clark & Foster
Nice space and good selection!
It is near my boo Kellie K!
She is still storing beer in her fridge that I bought here a month ago...LOLListed in: Best Liquor Stores in Chicago!
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Review from Mike M.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2012
Two thumbs way down!!!! The personnel came off as being really paranoid. Not only do they glare at you while you're walking through the store (as if you're going to hold the place up) but they also have a major attitude problem. The selection is standard and to be honest not really that impressive. Another major turn off was the security monitor behind the counter........I had no idea Andersonville was a high crime area!
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Review from Kristina H.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2011
Great store, great selection. Perfect location close to several restaurants (several which are BYOB).
Associates are always willing to help out if you have questions or need a recommendation.
Beer, wine, you name it, they have it. -
Review from Libby E.
Chicago, IL
10/23/2010
Just got back from the worst customer service experience of my life.
In summary: I understand that it is somewhat expensive for small businesses to accept credit cards, but you don't have to be a complete dick about it.
I handed over a card for my purchase and instead of saying "10 dollar minimum, sorry." the guy behind the counter said "Don't you have cash?" My boyfriend started scrambling for the roll of quarters in his bag as the cashier sighed impatiently and said "Yeah I'd rather take quarters." I was getting annoyed to get so much flack for using a card (and the wine was overpriced anyway) so I just said "nevermind" and went to reach for my card... which was instantly taken over to the card swiper with a defeated and spiteful "fine." I could have been cool if it ended there, but he continued "I just don't understand why people don't carry money around." I tried to lighten the tension by saying "It'd be gone too quickly, heh." To which he replied bluntly "that's just an excuse." It was so hurtful to be spoken to that way, I will never go back or recommend this place to others.
I hope that guy was just in a bad mood and it was a one time thing but it hurt my feelings to be sternly lectured by a stranger over a measly credit card charge. -
Review from Matthew S.
Chicago, IL
11/10/2007 ROTD 3/9/2008
Ever realize at 9pm that you are running low on booze? But you really don't want to push the cat off your stomach and go buy some? Well - this place doesn't deliver to your door. If you want booze delivered, you've got problems. Yelp a good intervention specialist...
This place is really quite convenient for Andersonville-ites, its right on the corner of Clark and Foster - which technically means you could grab something before you get on the bus...the stop is right there! Nothing says evening commute like a 40 in a brown paper bag.
But outside of cheap & easy alcohol, they have a great wine selection, and hard booze. And the mixers! They even have cigarettes. Even though they are like $8.00 a pack. I know some of you smoke when you drink. Admit it.
Look, I know I should quit smoking. Its filthy. But so is my sister in law. And no one makes her stand outside at parties. OK, that's not true. No one even invites her.
At any rate, the store is clean, and I always feel kinda bad for having secret fantasies about the hot, dark, doe eyed, foreign sales staff. Pouring wine on me. Where was I? oh yeah. They are always sweeping. Forever sweeping, so you know the floors are clean.
They are open pretty late, but oddly, do not open early in the morning. So if you realize you are out of Baileys Irish cream for your coffee...suck it up. Your not gonna get it til they open.
They have a great selection of chilled white wines, and beer. I hate it when people show up at one of my cocktails parties and say "Ohhh, I brought this great bottle of white...but we need to stick it in the freezer because its warm."
Bitch, I want to drink it now! - especially if it merits telling me about it as soon as you walk into my house! you didn't even do the whole trendy kiss on each cheek and say "how are you?" No, its all "this great wine is warm..." ugh.
They give good suggestions if you ask, but don't offer them up - wines are broken down by region. So if you want to act like an Italian drunk look for Italy sign, so on and so forth. Get it?
I'd suggest going here, and with all the places that allow BYOB in Andersonville, this is a great and convenient stop to make.Listed in: My RoTD's. hot., Andersonville Delights
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Review from T M.
Chicago, IL
1/19/2008
Andersonville Wine and Spirits is a far better liquor store than many other liquor stores. Although they don't have the most incredible beer selection I've seen at a Chicago liquor store, all but the most picky of beer snobs will come away happy. Their wine selection is very good, as far as I can tell, which means that it takes me forever to find a wine, because I'm not very good at picking them.
They have a pretty extensive selection of liquors and liqueurs, including one of my favorites of the latter: Amarula Cream. This is an essential ingredient for a fun shooter, the Springbok. It's named after the national rugby team of South Africa, which only kept their name after the end of apartheid due to the intervention of Nelson Mandela. To make it use:
1 shot creme de menthe (preferably green, like De Kuyper's)
1 shot Amarula cream
The guys that run the place are very nice and will help you if you need it, and offer suggestions. -
Review from Holly M.
12/3/2010
This is my number one go-to liquor store. They have a fantastic selection of beer. Any place that has Well's Banana Bread Beer rocks my world. I'm not much of a wine fan, but my friend enjoys the assortment of various wines to choose from.
The staff is always tolerant when my friend and I happily stumble into the store and joke around with them. They're pretty helpful and seem to get a kick out of the customers who are just getting some beers after a night at Hop Leaf across the street. -
Review from Caitlin G.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2009
Once upon a time, I was a lonely college student who was forced to drink cheap beer and live in Evanston. Life, in short, was difficult.
On certain nights of the week, I'd venture south with friends for a couple glasses of our favorite beers at the Hopleaf. That is, until the day I realized that Andersonville Wine and Spirits, just kitty corner to my favorite beer stop, sold my favorite beers. EN MASSE. And FOR CHEAP. I changed up my routine and would stop at Andersonville Wine and Spirits after the Hopleaf and on the way back to Evanston. It was a little bit like being a tourist just picking up a memento to better help me remember my destinations past.
Then--miracle of miracles!--I moved to Andersonville. Now I need only walk a few blocks to pick up my Peach Lambics and Witkaps, St. Bernaduses and Tripel Karmeliets. I skip the wine selection here and take that up the block to In Fine Spirits (or Jewel-Osco, man, let's be real!). Stick with Belgians. Be happy.Listed in: Andersonville: The Little…
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Review from Nannette P.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2009
Holy crap! How did I not know about this place 4 years ago?! I mean, I knew about it, but I had never stopped in. I thought it was just your run of the mill, neighborhood convenient mart / liquor store, but boy, was I wrong!
The minute you walk in, it is a liquor store, more than a quickie mart, full of wines from all regions; Italy, Germany, France, Argentina; and more than you thought you could find, and ones stocked from your favorite high caliber restaurant - quality reds and champagnes - and all for a fraction of the price! I perused their selection one night and was dumbfounded by the quality, and found my two good standbys; Alamos Malbec and Coppola Cigar Zinfindel, ones I could never find at any other local place.
In a decision crunch, and can't decide?! Ask the friendly people who work there. In my experience during my visit, they have been pretty knowledgeable about what they carry and what you may want to try from their selection, which is always a plus.
Some people might not like that the wine selection is very unique and that they don't carry the typical run of the mill standard type of brands either. But that also may be the beauty of it. For the quality, and the great price, it might be worth looking for your new favorite vino. -
Review from Joe F.
Chicago, IL
8/21/2009
My favorite liquor store.
The staff is super friendly and the selection is amazing. No, it doesn't have a million bottles under the roof. However, what it does have is a great selection of beer, wine and spirits.
Kegs are available, although they tend to gravitate more towards Miller products. Special order a keg? Not a problem.
They also have a good selection of cigars.
No, this is not the cheapest location to buy liquor, but if you really want a cheap 6 pack of Natty Light, this isn't the place for you. What I like most is that there is a very nice selection of Belgian 750's. Love it.
The owners all have great palates and if you ask them what they would suggest they can point you in the right direction. We went out for Indian and asked for a suggestion and got a great bottle that was priced right. -
Review from Gary B.
11/18/2008
I really miss living close to this place because it is well stocked and was extremely convenient to our home.
They have a wide variety of wines, beer and liquor. Often when you walk in they has specific wines on sale. We have purchased some good wines for a great deal as they appear to be turning over stock.
The workers are very friendly and if you frequent them they know your name (not sure if this a good thing in a liquor store). Don't be discouraged if they seem to be "watching" you. Given their location they have been a target of Mr./Ms. Five Finger Discount and what better way to curb that than to watch everyone.
Very knowledgeable on the wines they offer and will answer most if not all of your questions. -
Review from Matthew L.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2012
Great selection and knowledgeable staff. Glad to have this store in my neighborhood.
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Review from John B.
6/12/2006 1 photo
A friend calls this place "Buy Low, Sell High," but I have to disagree. I think the prices are actually pretty reasonable. The selection of beers is very good, and the staff is great. They've put real energy into expanding their selection, offering more "specialty" items such as port and grappa, which you might not expect to find in such a small store.
In terms of wine, finding what you want is a bit of a hit-or-miss proposition. I can't figure out the organization of the store, despite the fact that I've been going there for years. Of course, I have the same problem at Binny's. However, they generally have some featured wines at the front of the store, and those are often good bets. The staff is very friendly, and will help you as much as they can, but don't expect them to be sommeliers. -
Review from Luan N.
Columbus, OH
9/2/2008
While I was training for the Nikeplus run, I strayed off to Andersonville Wine and Spirits. After drinking some Blanche de Bruxelles @ Paramount, I checked Binnys and Sam's online to see how available it was. Wasn't available online, so I tried my luck at Andersonville. To my amazement, they sold a 4 pk for $8.99.
I was toward the back of the store, and an employee didn't ask if I needed assistance, he just waited in my aisle watching me as though I was gonna fit a 750 ml bottle in my running shorts. I looked him straight in the eye for a few seconds until he got the message, and he walked off.
They have a decent beer selection, some prices are fair, some higher. I know I picked up a Guinness pack before and it was about a dollar or two more than other stores. But, for a neighborhood store, it does the job.Listed in: This is where I buy my…
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Review from Amy D.
IL
6/28/2007
I asked for a recommendation for a wine with Indian food. He suggested this horrible Riesling (who would have thought Riesling could be bad) that was wayyy overpriced. I felt jipped. The reason why I didn't get it a worse rating b/c he did recommend a grenache that was actually very very tasty. Other options for affordable wine. Can't wait for that Trader Joes that's opening on Broadway!
Cheers! -
Review from sylvia r.
Long Beach, CA
12/14/2008
I would love it if they had K cider, otherwise they've pretty much got it covered.
I wish their prices were a little better, but I haven't yet found anything cheaper nearby.
I'm happy it's so close to my place and purchases from this store have definitely improved my evenings. -
Review from Allan M.
Chicago, IL
9/4/2008
Love this store, and it's definitely my favorite nearby non-chain place (*cough* Jewel) to purchase liquor from(that is when I'm making an inexpensive liquor purchase, and thanks to the new city liquor tax, now save pricier purchases for the suburbs). Great stock of hard-to-find booze, liquor, or whatever else you wanna get. They seem to have a decent selection of cigars available, though I'm not a cigar smoker.
The owners are extremely friendly, and can quickly give a yes or no answer if they carry some hard-to-find liquor or not that you tried somewhere, say i.e. Hopleaf. And though they don't really do samples of liquor here, unlike at Jewel, I almost always seem to have at least one conversation each time I'm here with either a customer, or an employee about their favorite new beer(or whatever else) they've tried lately. That's definitely my favorite part about shopping here, besides the great customer service! -
Review from Erika G.
1/3/2006 1 Check-in Here
Excellent wine selection, I've been going here for 10 years. Ilias and Ramsey, the owners sons - and Gus, the owner, are adorable, knowledgeable and always up for a chat. A fantastic neighborhood resource! They always have a moderately priced red wine for me to try. Amazing beer selection, and an amazing saki selection too! They sell Arak, a yummy Syrian libation that is hard to find elsewhere.
It's dog-friendly, 'cos Ilias and Ramsey let me bring my pup in when I pop in for a bottle or two. And they pet him too, which is the way to my heart!Listed in: My precious German Shepherd
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Review from Alex R.
Evanston, IL
10/13/2009
This neighborhood corner liquor store is awesome. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. If you have something you have a taste for but don't know what to get, just let them know and they'll help you pick something out. I love the fact that they always carry some unique beers to try (like Young's Double Chocolate Stout) and they have a great Belgian beer selection (like Lindeman's Framboise). That is what this place is all about, unique selection. They even sell absinthe for those that are curious to try it, and have a great wine selection available as well.
This is not the place to get a cheap 6 pack of crappy beer though, you're better off going to Jewel up the street for that. However, if you want to try something more unique like what they're serving up at the Hopleaf, try this place. -
Review from Joel S.
Westmont, IL
1/21/2009
Great place to pick up some beer or wine if you're hitting up Icosium or Hammamatsu across Clark or Foster, respectively.
Little known fact - they stock many of the same beers that are served at Hopleaf. Clever on their part, I guess they should market it more. Due to copius beer consumption I noticed this myself.
Otherwise they have a pretty good selection for just a mini-sized store - way on the imports though as far as beer goes. If I'm looking for American beer I head down the street to In Fine Spirits. If I'm making a beer run and don't feel like going all the way down to Sam's or Binny's, Andersonville Wine and Spirits does the trick. -
Review from John W.
Chicago, IL
5/19/2009
Great store, I have been going there for years. They always have a new beer to try, they constantly get deals on crates of wine that they are allowed to sell for cheap and also have a surprisingly large selection of liqueurs if that's your thing.
If they don't have something you want they will probably be willing to order it for you.
The wine prices are right in line with what I see elsewhere and they are really good at keeping up with the beers that are hot over at the Hopleaf and therefore stock the same brands.
Very helpful and knowledgeable about the wine and beer they carry. -
Review from Mike M.
Chicago, IL
6/14/2010
Angostura bitters are made in Haiti, Kerry S? I had no idea!
I love this place as well. They have an extensive selection of great beers and hard to find spirits. Pretty fair pricing all around too. Happy we have this in the 'hood. -
Review from Dan M.
Chicago, IL
11/19/2008
I have lived a block from here for 3 years. They know my name, they know what I like, they make recommendations and they ask about my partner. What more could you want from your corner liquor store.
Being a wine snob, I love that they will surprise me with some great deals and stuff I dont see anywhere else. I dont mind the over-protection, they had this business back in the days when Andersonville was a little dicier so they have probably seen it all. -
Review from Megan L.
Chicago, IL
7/17/2008
Ok so like everyone who's already reviewed, I'm a huge fan of my new neighborhood liquor store. I just moved into the apartment building right across the street, and when I first started going in there, it was nearly every night, due to a rash of parties and dates with the bf to BYOB joints. I'm fairly certain they began to think there was a new alccy in town, and after about two days, the main guy that works the counter at night didn't even need to see my ID anymore. Shortly after, a different guy, presumably his brother, was working behind the counter, ID'd me, rang up my purchases and when he went to put my six pack in a bag, I told him I didn't need it, due to the proximity of my abode.
The next time I went in, my regular counter guy was back, and when I was done paying, he didn't bag my six pack, either. It was like they swapped info. They really seem to like knowing their customers, and while they don't have the biggest liquor selection (they really didn't have as many varieties of gin as a G&T lover would hope for), they do have a fair bit of cold beer and a large wine section, along with two different sizes of Delirium Tremens in the cooler, which, in my book, makes them aces. Head here if you're out in Andersonville and are in need of libation. -
Review from Kerry S.
6/1/2010
With a handful of BYOB's in the neighborhood, AWAS is crucial to Clark St. A really fantastic and ever-changing selection of wine, from the budget-conscious to the "aw hell, we're gonna eat cheap sushi, let's live a little" pricier bottle. They also have monster beer choices, for one of those times you don't feel like waiting a day and a half to get into Hopleaf.
Oh, and when you just MUST have orange bitters, and they're hard to track down because Angostura bitters are made in Haiti (who knew?!) you can find 'em here! For fifteen bucks, mind you, but still, they got 'em. And you can get a fantastic bottle of gin, a few dashes of orange bitters, and you're set. -
Review from Jonathan C.
2/12/2009
Its probably a 3 star liquor store but they gain a fourth for the following reasons:
Close to Hama Matsu. So if you're going for sushi there, you can grab a drink to bring in (if you forgot). Hama Matsu does not have a corkage fee.
Lots of pony kegs of various beers that you may want. This is an excellent way to have a small party and good beer... cheaper than lots of 6packs. -
Review from Virginia T.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2010
Excellent liquor store for craft beer! They stock many of the same beers that are served at Hopleaf, etc.
Not the cheapest, but they will special order you nearly anything. Owners are friendly and talkative.
They have samples often, last time I was in they had a rep from St. Germaine there! -
Review from Elizabeth F.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2010
Great store! Good selection of wine. I couldn't find Kirschwasser in any store in Andersonville, Ravenswood area but I got it here. Guy who works there, I think he is the owner, was very helpful and nice.
If you need beer, wine,champagne,liquor and you are in Andersonville,I do recommend this store. -
Review from Carey R.
Seattle, WA
3/17/2010
Very suprising little liquor store!
They had a bunch of stuff that even foremost doesnt carry. I know they have a good beer selection - but i'm more of a cocktail girl. Really impressed with the selection of such a small place. And like someone said before- they will even try and special order stuff for you.
pretty average prices i think.
