Independent Spirits, Inc.

My favorite spot for wine and spirits. They have a fabulous vermouth selection and the staff give solid recommendations. I love kicking off a Friday evening with a wine tasting here, and taking home a bottle or two. Some interesting liqueurs are on offer as well, including a local limited run made of paw paw. In a world of corporate consolidation and large liquor conglomerates owning the adult beverage market, it also feels good to shop somewhere that stocks the little guys. Oh and Scott and the staff are so incredibly welcoming and indulge my questions and requests without making me feel dumb for not being a somm. Their warm attitude makes the store a delight to come back to and I never feel too intimidated to ask for help.

I think this is one of the best stores in Chicago of any kind, not just as a wine and spirits store. I don't drink, but I buy everything here for entertaining, gifts, and for work purposes. I learn something new every time I go, as the shop owner is knowledgeable beyond belief. Most of their products seem to be unavailable elsewhere as well. I have bought some obscure things to give to friends from abroad, and that always hits. They have tastings as well! Though I haven't been.

Our favorite local wine shop! The owner is super approachable, knowledgeable, and friendly. Have never gone wrong with one of his recommendations. Here's hoping he stays open for a long, long time!

A wide variety of excellent mostly mid priced wines. Scott, the owner and buyer, really knows his stuff. When I occasionally buy wine somewhere else I am usually disappointed in the quality.

Somehow, by probably some fault of my own, I ended up at a BYOB restaurant with no B. I called my dinner date who found this to be absolutely unacceptable so they stopped at this liquor store in a pinch. The staff was very helpful, and they had a bourbon that I had never heard of that was delicious.

What’s not to love about this shop? The owner and team are always super approachable and excellent with recommendations. I’ve had nothing but the most delicious (for me) wines from here because they know what they’re talking about! Don’t bother with the wine at WF. Get your charcuterie there and then head to Independent Spirts.

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff to help you navigate the very nice, varied, and fairly large collection. Mostly wine, but I’ve gotten some good rum and orgeat here too. They frequently bring in vendors to do samplings that I’ve found some really good wines through. There’s also a good price range — you can find a lot of nice and different wines for closer to $20 if you’re not looking to spend a ton.

My partner and I have been coming to the Friday wine tastings here for a few months now. Great way to taste things you wouldn't otherwise try (and to make sure you like what you're getting before you buy a bottle!). The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, and I've gotten some wonderful pairing recommendations from the owner. Apart from the tastings, which often feature limited run wines and other hard-to-get bottles, there's an incredible selection here and all very fairly priced. Highly recommend if you're in the area or looking to try something new.

I still rave about this place. I don't know if the owner is still Scott with his sweet lil dog that I can't remember the name of at the moment, but every trip there was like a brief vacation or break from life. Scott would bust out his laser pointer and show you which region on the map (that he painted) the spirit or wine came from... man I've tried so many great spirits and wines there... I moved before he really got into the beer side of things but he did have a really cool corner of boutique bitters made by little old ladies in different parts of the globe... I always tell friends going to Chicago that this spot is a must see for any person who loves a good wine & spirits shop.

If you want to find a nice gift, this is where you should go. Great products, team is very knowledgeable and finds what you need. I highly recommend it.

Do you love wine? So does the owner, and he can tell you about any of the amazing bottles in his selection. There is also an incredible selection of bitters, craft beers, and many other things. I have been in regularly for the years I've lived in Chicago and never had a bad experience. It's just a great store to browse and so many excellent choices. The staff is truly fantastic. If you're looking for a bottle for dinner or to stock up on wine for your collection, you cannot go wrong at this store.

Wonderful selection and recommendations from staff. We love supporting small, local businesses!

A really fun spot to browse, perfectly sized with a range of price points many bottles of wine in between a ten to twenty spot. Of course there is some other pricier fancy selections too. What I found outstanding was the variety of labels. If you're tired of all the immediately recognizable names or overwhelmed by that big place beginning with a "B" you really owe it to yourself to stop in. The staff is helpful without being pushy. More than just wine, they have the hard stuff too. They have tastings on Friday late afternoon, will need to make it there for one or two. I have been there before, however usually not in that area. Now that I'm back up that way occasionally I'll be back.

Rare gem of a store. Rare wines at good prices. Wish I found this place sooner. I will never settle for grocery store wine again lol.

Excellent selection - every wine I have purchased here has been superb.

Excellent variety in wine. The staff is so helpful as well with recommendations. I had a great experience and loved the bottle that I was recommended based on my preferred tastes. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to try new wine from different regions!

We love working with Scott at Independent Spirits. We are regular customers and buy mixed cases from him every other week. We give him a budget range and free reign to pick interesting wines. We love the variety and appreciate his suggestions. We also follow his suggestions for whisky, rum, gin and other spirits. They have unusual but wonderful choices.

This is the best spot in the neighborhood to pick up good wines. The people there, like, know everything. ...I wrote this after enjoying their products.

The ideal wine/liquor shop for a person interested in getting quality products and advice. I cannot say enough good things about this store and the staff. A few highlights: 1. The range of products is extensive, they will have the type of beverage you are interested in at a variety of price points, all of which are of impeccable quality. 2. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. I have spent lots of time perusing without feeling pressured at all, but they are always quick to respond as soon as I ask any question. 3. The advice is spot-on. The written recommendations for many of the products in the store are informative (and humorous!), any request for help is met with honest opinions and impressive background to boot. This store is single handedly responsible for helping me expand my home bar to all sorts of interesting spaces, many of which I didn't even know existed before the fateful day I first set foot into the store. It has become my go-to, and will be sorely missed should the day come I move away from the area. Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

It's not fair to describe the wine selection here as "limited," it's a boutique-independent so the prices and variety won't be as low and big (respectively) as one of the big box corporate wine stores. I think it's more accurate to say that there is an impressive selection of unusual, interesting, different, and more difficult to obtain wines in this little shop. It's a cute and quirky space, owner Scott Crestodina is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, without being annoying, pushy, or intrusive. He has an antique manual typewriter for customers to give e-mail addresses, and for added amusement, given enough time, some 25 year old will come in and try to type more or less unsuccessfully. Well, if you're not 50-something still struggling to be competent at virtual keyboards, that last part may not be so amusing, and I'm digressing. Crestodina hand painted helpful maps above the wine racks, and that's how the wine is arranged, geographically; he will use a laser pointer to be more precise if you want. He can be efficiently concise if you just want a quick specific recommendation, tell him up front how much help and information you need, how much or how little you're trying to spend. You can tell it's a new business, he has some family and friends assisting, but he's always the main worker, and he's clearly not new to wine. The store also has a unique offering of spirits, a common comment from obviously seasoned drinkers here is "hmmm, I've never even heard of this (gin, scotch, bourbon, liqueur, beer)..." There's an especially intriguing selection of single malt scotches, and whiskies in general. The floor is covered with old oriental rugs, and there are some eccentric and whimsical decorations. This place is a hop, skip and a jump away from some of my favorite Southeast Asian and Ethiopian restaurants, this shop is only adding to the rapidly growing fact that this neighborhood is good for eating and drinking. It seems like most of the other reviewers here are neighborhood people who are pleased to have this shop in walking distance, but I think it's well worth going out of one's way for if: 1) You're a whisky, gin, vodka or wine drinker who likes variety, 2) you're looking for a gift for someone like that, 3) you're looking for an expert recommendation for wine or whisky. I like to look like I know what I'm talking about, and from experience, I've learned that one good way is to listen to people who do know what they're talking about. Mr. Crestodina knows wine and whisky.

Magical! Which sound weird for a wine shop, but maybe since it was sleeting and chilly outside, I felt as if I were stepping into a shop out of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley. Warm inside, the hard wood floors were worn just enough, the lighting was soft. Wines are on wooden shelves like books, with cards hanging just below them with information about each bottle. The only thing missing was the light smell of a good pipe tobacco lingering in the air and people speaking in hushed British accents. I was met by a pleasant young lady, who I'm sure knew immediately that this was my first time there. This is one of those places, I'm sure, that has a following and its quaint, so they know their customers. There was one other customer in the shop, it was near closing, who was helping himself about the shop, no doubt a seasoned shopper. He was being assisted by a gentleman, who was at the counter, offering suggestions and directions. Everything was neat and tidy. I explained I was looking for a wine to give as a gift to someone who buys wine by the cases. I admitted that my taste for wine was somewhere around "liking communion", (which does sound a bit sacrilegious as I type it). However, it's clear that I am not a wine connoisseur as my palette does not savor nor appreciate the more drier selections - still there was no judgement for my naïveté, but I did receive some education about my purchase because the young lady as well as the man at the counter seem to be a wealth of knowledge on the subject of "spirits" - they are sommeliers. This place is an experience - like the Museum of Natural History. Good folk who have an appreciation for the finer things in life all the way down to plain and simple folk like me, who are as dumb as dirt concerning wines should treat themselves to a visit. It's educational and you'll leave with something you'll be pleased with price-wise. They are very conscious of remaining within your budget, (I had a price limit and there was no pressure to get something more). Lastly the recipient of my gift bottle of wine said it was "delicious" and that the Pinot noir was something that they loved! See... Magical!

I ordered a shipment of a very niche Greek wine from this seller and was very pleased with the pricing and service. The cost of the bottles was lower than any of the other (few) domestic merchants selling it, and the package arrived in DC less than three days after I placed the order online. Will definitely buy here again!

A truly delightful place. Scott and his staff are friendly and very knowledgeable, and always have a recommendation no matter what you're looking for. They respect price concerns and are never snobs. Excellent selection. I can't say enough nice things about Independent Spirits!

Independent Spirits is my go-to for everything alcohol-related. Scott (owner) is extremely knowledgeable and running a truly fantastic local business. My favorite things: -Great selection of independently distributed bottles -Fun decor with map paintings on the wall (perfect for some laser pointer action when discussing wine regions) and tiny chairs made from champagne cork-holding wires -Friendly neighborhood feel with nice, knowledgeable staff -Roscoe is the cutest liquor store dog around Finally, really love the Friday wine tastings (and additional wine/beer/spirit tastings at various times throughout the year). Great opportunity to meet distributors and try new things!

This is the place to go to get your boozy friends and family a really special gift ( and maybe one for yourself, while you are there). We stopped by during a food event, but promised to return and spend some serious time there.

An amazing "Independent" liquor store on Broadway. Great vibe inside. An interesting and unique selection. The staff is as knowledgeable as they are friendly and that makes all the difference. I'll be frequenting this fine establish regularly.

Another cute shop in the neighborhood selling WINE?! Yes. Please. This is a pretty high end shop, their selection is absolutely incredible. So much good stuff and really unusual brands. Predictably expensive. But wow, if you're into the high end hooch for complicated cocktails, this is a must visit. I popped in here for a BYOB bottle of wine for dinner next door, and picked up a bottle of chilled Vino Verde. I'm not that familiar with VV but I rarely meet a wine I don't like. At $9 it was well priced, and one of the cheaper bottles 'cos I'm on a severe budget (but yeah, wine is still in my budget, I know). DAMN, was it great! Delicious and crispy and dry - I'll be back for that action. My incredibleBF began drooling at their Gin selection on a previous visit a few months previous, some VERY unusual Gins. Also a lot of garnishes, bitters and arcane cocktail ingredients. Very nice! There's a good selection of $12-20 bottles, and some WAY up from that. I'd like to see a few more low end options, around $8-10 but hey - I know where to go for "special occasion" hooch. Love this place - and the staff are friendly, charming and helpful. The design of the store is cute too. Tremendous addition to the neighborhood!

Best place to buy great wine and liquor in the city. My favorite thing is their customer service -- They don't try to make you spend more money and they are super knowledgeable. You come in and say you want to spend $15? You're going to get the best damn wine you can get for $15. They also have a smaller, but awesomely curated selection of beers.

Independent Spirits may not be spacious, but they've got an interesting selection. With a few bottles from the Balkans, they definitely cater to my taste. Some labels I've found elsewhere for a bit cheaper, but I'd rather support a smaller shop. My friend and I stopped in here a few weeks ago and I was impressed that they carried Croatian wine, particularly from the Istrian peninsula. I don't think I've seen that elsewhere in the city. The price wasn't bad, either. Everything that caught my eye cost less than $20 a bottle. But I was on foot and I didn't want to schlep around town with a breakable item, so I decided to come back and buy it. The last time I was in Independent Spirits was last week. I returned with Lori L. to claim my bounty and discovered that they no longer carried it. That's both a blessing and a curse for little local spots like this, their offerings change frequently. However, they had a different wine from Istria, Piquentum Teranum '08, and I decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did, because it is now one of my favorite wines and was a big hit with my dinner group, and we typically have varying tastes in vino.

Love this place! So excited it's here. First off - I would definitely NOT say this place is expensive! Sure they have some expensive things and they don't have $2 wine bottles.. but they have $10 wine bottles and I really do not think that is expensive. Also - some of the beers they had were actually less expensive than I've seen them at Whole Foods. All the stuff that is carried here is tasted by the owner - so he likes all of it. This means that he knows what he is talking about !! He will show you where all the wines are from and can even explain how all the different kinds are made. It's really impressive. You definitely can appreciate what you buy more knowing more about it. I would say that they have a pretty good selection as well -- definitely a lot to try. I'm so excited about this place and I can't wait to shop here more.

I had recently tasted a very nice Pinot Noir while dining downtown and wanted to get some of the same for home. Although they did not have the specific label I had at the restaurant, they were able to look it up and find out its origin. Due to the expert knowledge of this staff, I walked out with 3 different Pinot's that were just as good if not better than what I had downtown, coming from the same region as the original wine, and at a reasonable price. They were very good about staying within my budget. Also, as a non-beer drinker who often has beer drinking guests, I find Independent Spirits to be a real life-saver! I know a little about wine, but absolutely nothing about beer, ales, etc. For my last 2 parties, I took their recommendations for a selection of beers - that must have been very good, as the beer drinkers left only 1 bottle behind. The service is friendly, non-intimidating and knowledgeable! This ambiance at Independent Spirits makes me feel like I should throw more parties.

I've lived in Edgewater for 2 years now and this place is just awesome. Scott is so kind and patient and will answer any questions with zero pretentiousness. Equally so, Bill, although younger, is incredibly knowledgable. Everything he picks out has been spot-on to what I describe to him- he's my go-to guy. They offer alternatives to brands that have dyes, etc. and have things NO ONE else does. Whole Foods is a block away and still, THIS PLACE....better in every way.

I finally made it over to this shop today. I know the owner, Scott, from when he managed Fine Wine Brokers in Lincoln Square, my regular shop when I lived in the area. Anybody who remembers Scott from FWB, now you get to see what he can do when he gets to call all the shots. The feel at this shop is quite similar, but it's taken to the next level. The wine setup is geographic, just like at FWB, and there is a wall dedicated to spirits, and another area for craft beers, also. Seeing that spirit display made me feel kind of bad that I rarely drink hard liquor. The wine selection was an interesting mix of the artisan and the big time names. On the one hand, you have something like a small Douro production, and on the other, you have stuff like Giacomo Conterno, JL Chave, and Reserva bottlings of Lopez Heredia. Obviously a lot of thought went into putting the lineups together. What is everyone waiting for?

Always an awesome experience visiting this place. Huge selection of specialty liquors and wines. The Friday wine tastings are both delicious and informative. I would suggest anyone that enjoys wine check them out. Every time I am in with questions the employes (owners?) are more then helpful and will answer any question you have. Would have gotten 5 stars but the beer selections is still limited. Hope someday they are able to add a larger selection of craft beers....or maybe even a beer tasting.

Great small liquor store and one of few places that sells alcohol near my friend's place surprisingly. This was the closest at about a mile away! They carry a little bit of everything from wine to sake to bitters to whiskey. Prices are alright, but I wish these local liquor stores would start carrying some less expensive options, too.

If independent spirits had a lounge/bar attached to it, I'd be there for hours. After searching for a few minutes I was greeted by staff and asked what sort of thing I was looking for (naturally) He picked out a bottle and explained a bit about it. I tried it later that evening and it was perfect. The selection is pretty decent. They not only have wine and spirits but they have gift items and other drink additions too. My only regret with independent spirits is that I didn't stop by sooner!

Scott and team have been an excellent addition to the neighborhood, bringing rare finds and perennial favorites into a collection of tasty, tasty vice in a small but mighty space on Broadway. You'll find something here that you'll like, also something to share with friends.

I have to give this place another try. Stopped in opening weekend and was not impressed. I had been waiting for this place to open for a long while and it was really anticlimactic. Small places like this with limited selection and non-discount prices either sink or swim based on locals' business, so I thought they would be much more inviting. There was a bit of a greeting, but no real connection. We were really looking to establish "local status" but it lacked. I'm sure we'll give it another try eventually, but we prefer In Fine Spirits or Vinic in Evanston.

Great addition to the neighborhood! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they have free wine tastings every Friday! This summer, sometimes there was a stand up bass player outside, which made Broadway feel alive. Every time I go in, it seems like they have increased their inventory and changed things around a bit, which keeps it interesting.

I've walked here a few times in the last couple of months when I was in a pinch and needed alcohol but didn't have time to drive to another store. The owner is really friendly and has made some great recommendations each time! Prices are on-par with other small, local wine shops that I've been to, but selection is limited. Binny's will always be cheaper, but that is to be expected; you don't get personal service like this at Binny's though. Liquor selection is OK and they have quite a few bitters and other odds & ends that you would expect in a small shop. On my last visit I asked for a super sweet Moscato and got 3 recommendations -- I ended up purchasing all 3 so I could try them ($45 total for 3 bottles) and so far I've tried 2 of the 3 and they were exactly what I asked for! Wine tastings on Fridays from 5-7pm I believe.

I feel like this is the Shop Around the Corner of liquor stores. As one reviewer said, the space is magical. The staff is friendly, helpful, and passionate and the product is something really special. They have a beautiful array of wines with insightful notecards for most of them as well as a great selection of craft spirits that you're not going to easily find elsewhere. I work at a restaurant with 500 wines on the list so I get to try a lot of exciting wines, but some of my favorite new bottles have come from Independent Spirits. Exquisite selection.

Man, where do I start? If your looking for a new spin on your old favorite this is a great place to start. The owner is so knowledgeable with everything in the store and he loves explaining it to the rest of us. His enthusiasm is contagious. GO SEE FOR YOUR SELF!

I have been buying from Scott (owner) for four+ years. Great selection, reasonable prices, knowledgeable staff. My wife refers to Scott as the librarian of booze.

Came here to buy scotch for a gift. Couldn't have been happier with the selection, service, expertise, and product! So many great unique whiskey choices and the owner is a encyclopedia of knowledge. Very, very pleased!

Very interesting specialty alcohol shop, they got some rare spirits, wines and brews. The owner and staff are very knowledgeable and have great suggestions for any taste. I just moved to an area, and this store quickly became my go to for whisky. Great vibe, selection and nothing but pleasure from shopping here! Strongly recommended

We LOVE this shop! The owner, Scott, and his staff really know their stuff, much more helpful than Binny's or Whole Foods. They only feature small producers so you're guaranteed to find something interesting in all price points. Yes, they have some nice pricey bottles for that special occasion, though some of our favorites (and great recommendations from Scott) are $13 and under, plus there's a 10% mix and match case discount. Too bad to hear some people on here aren't fans, and the whole restriction on the beer sales from the neighborhood chamber of commerce. This store has made us want to solidify our residing in the Edgewater community! It's a total asset.

I've never been disappointed with a purchase here. I love that you can pick out anything and be confident that it will be delicious. They have such a great collection of wines, and unique spirits.

Awesome spot on the far Northside. Wonderful selection, helpful staff, and easily accessible location. I'm a fan of Spanish ciders and they carry a solid selection and offered to special order a few of my favorites. Highly recommend checking out this spot.

Went in to Independent Spirits tonight just at closing, and Scott, the owner, was happy to have us come in. I was thrilled to discover an excellent selection of unusual single malt scotches, and other yummy things. Scott was pleasant, knowledgeable, and happy to talk with us. I left with a new scotch to try, and left a promise that I'd be back for something else.

Great little shop. The selection is limited but well curated. The whiskey covers several regions of scotch, American rye, bourbon, and more. There are close to a dozen types of bitters in stock. Wine gets the most floor space but beer, whiskey, rum, and other distilled spirits are well represented. I stopped in for the grand opening and came away with a bourbon from a distiller I'd not heard of before and a bottle of cherry bitters. The whole thing is laser-focused on quality, craft spirits. I love it.

Independent Spirits, you get +5000000000 points for opening the door just for me a few minutes after closing time. You also get +70000000000000 points for carrying such an amazing and well curated selection of liquor and bitters. Also, +90000000000000000 points for the super helpful and friendly staff. Thank you for existing.

This place rocks and is easily my favorite wine and spirits store in Chicago! The owner has been there every time I've gone in, and he is super friendly and crazy knowledgeable about wine and anything else he sells in the store! Not to mention the awesome words that he uses to describe the wines. You can also get a good bit of wine education just by popping in and chatting with him. There are paintings on the wall of all the areas around the world where wine grapes are grown, and he'll gladly break out his laser pointer to show you the origins of a given wine, along with some great tidbits of information. The prices are also very reasonable. You can spend as little or as much as you'd like on some wine or spirits. All in all this place is the real deal. I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Check it out, you'll be happy you did!!

Best wine shop in Chicago. And this is from someone in the wine business. Excellent selection, from some of the best importers, growers, regions. I could spend hours browsing and their tastings are no-holding-back no cheesiness we will pour you the good stuff. So happy they are within (wine) spittin' distance of my home cellar. Go now! Right now!

Nina B. and Austin D. pretty much covered everything with their reviews. I would also say, if you want something mainstream and mass-produced, go to Binny's or Jewel. If you want something special and out of the ordinary, this is the place to go to treat your husband, wife, good friends or just yourself. Many of the wines and liquors I have bought here over the last several years were sold here before they were "discovered" and became mass-produced. The fact that they often carry wines or liquors before distributors get their hands on them is a testament to the knowledge of the proprietor...

Scott used to work at Fine Wine Brokers and he's brought a similar vibe to this store. He knows his stuff!

Booze is my go-to gift for almost any occasion, and Independent Spirits is my go-to place to get the best booze. Scott and Ben are both knowledgable and patient. They have tasted most of the things that they carry and they will entertain such esoteric requests as "I need a bottle of something for a guy's birthday, it's a pizza party, I think he likes bitter stuff, he's kind of egotistical, and I don't want to spend more than $40." They haven't missed the mark once. If you want more parties and happier friends in your life, shop at Independent Spirits.

I visited for the first time tonight. I needed a couple of bottles of wine to have on hand for the Labor Day weekend. I walked in an immediately thought this place would be pricey. I was pleasantly surprised that they had so many great value-priced boutique wines. The owner was also extremely knowledgeable and made some really good suggestions. I'm happy to have them in the neighborhood, and it looks like I have a new favorite store to pick up a good bottle of wine.