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Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
1019 Davis StDavis (Purple, Evanston Express)
Evanston 1st Liquors was surprisingly Evanston's very FIRST liquor store. Surprise surprise!
The prices are higher than Jewel or Dominicks for alcohol. Anywhere from $2-$10.
I usually go to Jewel to buy alcohol as EV1 also closes at 10pm.
But they are the only place nearby with Kegs available and they sell ping pong balls, soda for chasers, and everything else needed for a night of drinking.
It is literally a one stop shop.
And yes, they also deliver so now, drunken hazy memories are a simple phone call away.
It looks like a small dive from the front and their prices are slightly higher than your local grocery store. That said, their vast selection of beers makes Evanston 1st well worth a try.
Am I really going to review my liquor store? Well, okay, why not.
Dear Evanston 1st,
You have been there for me for many years through the good times and the bad. Here are some things I've been meaning to tell you:
1) You are so close to my house. God forbid I ever try to go straight-edge.
2) You have a good selection of wine and beer (I am forbidden to drink anything else).
3) When you have long lines, they move fast.
4) Employees are nice and helpful and laugh at my silly dogs tied up outside.
5) You always give my daughter a lollipop so she is learning early on to associate the liquor store with good things.
But...
1) I find cheaper wine occasionally at Whole Paycheck (your cheapest wine is usually $8 or $9) or Cost Plus World Market.
2) Your hours are disappointing. I know, I know, it's not your fault (the fault lies with the City of Evanston), but I don't know how many times I have walked over at 5 past 10 and you're closed.
Oh Evanston First! A brave warrior in the battle against a dry campus. You've saved so many boring evenings with your impressive beer selection, your steady standard liquors, you having the perfect mid-price but tasty bottle of champagne I couldn't find anywhere else on December 31.
Oh and they deliver. And yes, they deliver to dorms, but that still doesn't mean you're going to get that keg up to the 4th floor.
Good ol' EV1 served us well for those few years between turning 21 and scattering to the four winds. Since I was the first one of my friends to turn legal, I would often find myself wandering the two aisles with a cart and a long list in my hand. After I moved out of Evanston, I never came in here even though I visit Evanston at least once per month, and my commute passes through there. I much prefer Binny's for price and selection, or occasionally Foremost on Green Bay for convenience to my route home. Now that my drinking tastes are more refined than they were in the 1998-2001 era, I decided to stop in and see whether I could make use of the place.
Their domestic microbrew selection is poor, but the import section is very strong for a store of this size. They had tons of Belgians and other European imports. I found a beer here that I hadn't been able to locate in Belgium. Prices seem comparable to other outlets, for the most part. I got two 22-oz Anchor Steam bottles for $3.29 each, which seems reasonable. However, they have another favorite of mine, St Peter's English Ale, for $3.79--sixty cents cheaper than Whole Foods. Hmm, I may have to do some more comparison shopping and start coming here more often.
The liquor sections seem limited by comparison to the beer. I'll have to stop in again and check out their whiskies.
Oh, and by the way, they sell kegs of some pretty good beer, including Hofbrau. I'll be keeping that in mind for my next party.
They still have convenient free parking in the back, plus the curious dual checkout areas--one each in front and back. Makes for a fast getaway.
Let's just take a deep breath and contemplate this. These good folks deliver booze and cigs to your doorstep. Need we discuss this any further? I thinkest not!
I haven't been here since high school -- we could always count on E1 to fill our liquor needs. Whether it was the stereotypical bum-buys-it-for-you or the oldest looking of the bunch going in for a run.... we were usually triumphant.*
*this "review" in no way condones underage drinking or using deception to obtain alcohol. bad teenagers bad!
5 stars if you are here for beer, the selection is unparalleled.
The liquor on the other hand was akin to being at a Jewel-Osco but with the high Evanston taxes. Definitely an average 3 star for non-beer beverages.
We were recently in desperate need of Thai Singha beer in a large quantity, and while most liquor stores and asian markets didn't carry the product, Evanston 1st Liquors readily saved our day! The price was slightly lower than the average, too. Their wine selection is equally impressive, a possible alternative to Trader Joe's in terms of diversity (though less # of bottles). My only complaint (a very minor one) is that the place is a bit too small for the amount of goods you have to dodge.
I like the fact that I can count on Evanston 1st Liquors to have either the bottle I want or something close enough to get the job done. They certainly save me a trip to some store either further away or less convenient.
I only really have an issue with the prices. Buying beer there may be fine price wise but buying scotch there is like buying it with Peapod. I think EV1 is priced for folks who have already been out drinking and who wouldn't notice the difference.
Love the selection though.
As it is the only liquor store within walking distance of my apartment, I have been to EV1 many times over the past couple of years. I swear there are only two employees, the friendly wine guy and the silent register man. I love the wine buyer, he's nice & talkative and always willing to help you pick something out (without steering you towards the most expensive bottle, either). The register guy is pretty nondescript, but does his job. 4 stars just because they could spruce the place up a little bit. Overall, great selection of liquors to match any taste or budget.
The best! From wine to beer to liquor they have the best selection I've seen. They even carry my favorite Limoncello!! They know their product and they know their customers!!
I recently took my friend here and the joy on his face should probably warrant a five star review, but I simply hate they layout of the store and do not find the employees to be helpful. As for the alcohol, which is what you are coming for anyway, they have an incredible beer selection, by far the best in Evanston (possibly Chicago), but are a little lacking on the quality hard liquor. I really should only buy my alcohol from here, but for the most part Jewel and Whole Foods are sufficed for my needs.
If you are having a party, these guys will rent you glasses. They'll drop them off and pick them up for you. You don't need to do any washing!
Great selection of micro-brews and liquor.
These guys are the best! The prices aren't terrible, but the staff is so friendly!!! Whenever we had people over for a party this was the place to go! There is a nice collection of wine, liquor and beer here. The Keg's are affordable, plus they will throw in free T-shirts or cups with a purchase of a keg.
This liquor store is the schizness! It even looks pretty - rather than a haven for alcoholics like certain South Side liquor stores. The wine is the best.
I do love the EV1. Large selection of wine and a great selection of beer. My only compaint about the wine selection is sometimes there's not much choice in between the very very low end and medium price points.
hands down the best place to go if you have questions about wine! pierre is there to help...just find him and tell him what you want to drink and he will set you up. not to mention the selection of domestic and imported beers.
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