Quincy Street Distillery

What a great gem I came across. I initially found them through Groupon, and I loved the tour. The tasting was amazing, and I probably should have ubered because you'll get knocked on your behind from all the tastings. Lol.The owner and staff are wonderful. I highly recommend going and seeing for yourself.

Sweet spot, wonderful atmosphere. Stopped in for a few cocktails late afternoon. We had the hibiscus sour and a dirty martini they were incredibly tasty, so we ordered another round. I love the style of the distillery and the ambiance. Wonderful place to start date night off. Get yourself over there, you'll be glad you did.

Place is really cool! We stopped in for drinks, but unfortunately due to current covid restrictions there was no indoor seating. Owner was super cool & let us sample a couple of the spirits we were interested in and gave us info on each. Bought a bottle of their rum and the 4 month aged bourbon. The young rested bourbon was amazing! Full of flavor and you can taste the oak. We'll be back! Coming for that Absinthe next!

Has speak easy vibes and is a really nice pace. I never order their cocktails cause I just get pours of their homemade absinthe but my friends do and just about everything they put in their cocktails is made in house.

Small but awesome distillery with a knowledgeable staff and fantastic drinks Be sure to take a tour that includes a tasting! And don't forget to pick up a bottle or two of your favorite spirits!

I was here pre-pandemic, and it was an awesome evening we still rave about! The still life/product photographer in me loved photographing all our drinks, including the whiskey flights We aren't really whiskey or hard alcohol drinkers, but our bartender was very friendly and patient, explaining the difference between the types of distilled spirits. She also indepthly answered questions about what my husband was looking to try. After inquiring about the distillery and asking questions about the process, even though it was late at night, we received a quick impromptu tour of the distillery area with one other couple, which I thought was incredibly xenial! We learned a lot that night, both about the distilling process, as well as the final spirits on the menu. I also loved the architecture of the historic industrial building the distillery is located in. Taking a walk to the restroom found me wondering how the walls were originally constructed before being remodeled.

Wow! Blown away by the quality of each drink and the time and care spent making them. A lovely little spot with affordable prices for such high quality beverages! Cheers! A gem!

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening cocktails. It was great to watch Eddie create each drink for the guests. The spirits were delightful. Eddie’s knowledge made this the perfect visit.

Checked out this little distillery in Riverside that has small batch hand crafted spirits and cocktails. If wanting to try some before you buy a bottle, you can get a pour with or without a mixer. Quincy Street Distillery is in a building that's easy to overlook. Located convenient by the Metra station, so you can get off here. The spirits can get expensive, but there's some that are pretty good prices. About the only bad thing is the hours. It's limited, but there's good reasons. They only make things in small batches, so they aren't producing as much stuff. Get a cocktail before you get a bottle. It's about $7 for the one ounce pours. The Gin Sour is made with your choice of the Old No. 176 Railroad, or the QSD Dry Gin, both good though. Also there's many fancier cocktails. It's about $14 for some of the stronger ones. The Sazerac is made with the Prairie Farm Absinthe, along with rye. Great licorice flavor. There's also plenty of others. Get some small batch liquors hand crafted. It's good to try a few here before leaving. The liquors are good on their own or mixed with some things.

Stopped by for a drink with friends on a Saturday night. Excellent cocktails in a lovely prohibition style speakeasy. The bartenders are excellent, and the manager is very amiable. All the drinks were delicious! We are looking forward to scheduling a distillery tour and cocktail class. Highly recommend!

They didn't have any food, but we had already planned to go eat somewhere else. The service was really good because there was hardly anyone inside and so we felt catered to. The ambience is small and laid-back.

Great place to get a drink after work! They have a good selection of craft liquor. Staff is fun, friendly and informative. If you are a gin drinker, I recommend the Barrel Reserve Gin.

Took a distillery tour with a few friends and had a great time! It's a small place, so our group (of 4) and another group of 4 filled the tour. The tour was incredibly full of information, from Quincy Street's processes and history to local and regional distilling history in general, all well presented and engaging. After the tour and lesson in the production space, we sat at the bar and sampled a few of the spirits, learning more about each of those individually and what makes them unique. And then AFTER that, our group stayed longer to do some extra sampling, learning, and trying some of their delicious cocktail creations. The biggest 'problem' was that there were so many interesting options to choose from when I wanted to buy some bottles to take with me - a good problem to have indeed (helped somewhat by the fact that some of their products are sold in smaller bottles)

Hours are inconsistent so I've never been able to do a tasting here. Live in town & once in awhile, we'll walk over to check it out but they've been closed every time.

Super smart, interesting guy, take the tour, you will not regret it! Located in downtown Riverside. Be sure to give yourself time to explore this magnificent area!

What an amazing experience. We took our nephew to the distillery for his 21st birthday. The tour and tasting was a unique way to celebrate. The owner is so knowledgeable and humorous. A wonderful time all around!

Fantastic tour, great historical and technical information. The owner really enjoys what he does! Highly recommended. Drinks are awesome try the Gin Shack or the Honey-Jito!!

Been meaning to come in to the distillery for awhile. I'm glad I waited! It was a fairly cold night when we came in. Tucked into an old fashioned building with the face of the distillery facing the street, it gives you the vibe of a cheers environment where you're walking in. I had the pleasure of titillating my tastebuds with a couple of drinks they had to offer: the retro/metro and the buck. The ginger beer effervescence and after taste of the ginger was delightful and warming to stomach. Hopefully I'll be able to talk to the speakeasytenders the next time!

Nice quaint location to enjoy a good cocktail. The bourbon was very good and purchased some to take home.

We love JT (bartender)! We can't decide if we go there to talk to him or because of the drinks that he makes!!! I love his suggestions. He does a terrific Old Fashioned! We always compare his old fashioned to other places. Couldn't find a better one than his!

This place is a gem! I highly recommend the tour in order to have an appreciation for the drinks and the beverages at Quincy. if you appreciate quality, this is a place for you! Every drink is made completely from scratch and takes quite a while, but let me tell you, the difference os evident as soon as you taste whichever divine concoction you choose to order. This is the place where I'm pretty sure I could put on a blindfold and point to anything on the menu and whatever they brought me I would love and so will you.

If you haven't tried this place yet, you must go. If you want a true mixologist hand crafting your cocktails with the finest ingredients, this is your destination. The bar is cozy (small) along with a few small tables for 2 but it isn't about the atmosphere, their focus is the booze. I have done the tour in the past and it was a cool and educational experience.

My first distillery tour and man did I get the right one. Derek gave me the entire history of American Whiskey and the steps they made back in the day before prohibition in making Whiskey. This distillery has a deep respect for the historical process and does it's best to make an authentic whiskey they way it was originally made. You learn how to differentiate between different whiskeys and how not to get scammed shopping at Binnys. I recommend this to anyone that wants a bit more than basic knowlege of whiskey straight from a dedicated passionate professional.

I'm really glad this place offers tours. It was so nice to learn the history of whiskey making. The owner was very attentive and offered so great suggestions to taste.

Music, mood, STAFF, everything is describable with two words; IMPECCABLE & QUALITY. Very impressed.

We stopped here for a drink before heading to Mollie's Public House for dinner, which was the perfect time before a tour started. It's small, so I bet it fills up quickly! If you like a lemony tart cocktail, I'd recommend sipping on the Bee's Knees. I tried a sip of the Gin Daisy and it was also really good. The staff was very nice and helpful. I'd like to take the tour sometime!

Knowledgeable owner and outstanding whiskeys. Try the hibiscus vodka and absinthe. All in quaint downtown Riverside.

Came here with a Groupon I was gifted last month and it was an awesome time. This was my first distillery tour and I learned so much. Our guide/bartender was really knowledgeable and sweet. She also made us some amazing drinks afterwards. I m more of a beer drinker than whiskey/cocktail drinker but I would definitely come back here again. Our cocktails were tasty and strong. I loved the hibiscus one, the Eva Shrub (beets), and the Blue Moon

Tucked amongst the twisty turny streets of Riverside is a phenomenal spot to stop for a hand crafted, artisanal cocktail. Even more amazing is that they distill all of their spirits on the spot, in small batches, with great love, obviously. Welcome to Quincy Street Distillery. We live walking distance from this quaint little establishment, and had biked past it a few times, always making a promise that we would return to sample their wares some evening. Last night was the night we stopped in and I'm wondering what took us so long. Apparently the thing to do here is to take a tour and learn all about distilling and the history and stories behind their products. We will most definitely do that in the near future, but for now, this review is based on our experience in The Speakeasy, the compact bar at the front of the business. We stopped in early on a Saturday, around 6:00 and were greeted warmly by the bartender. She asked if it was our first time stopping in and we said, "yes". She went on to explain briefly, but enthusiastically, about the various spirits, including the crafting process and a bit of history behind each label. Being history buffs, we loved it, and could tell that she took pride in sharing her knowledge. I started off with a Prairie Hurricane, seeing as it was the weekend before Fat Tuesday. It did not disappoint. It was made with fresh juices and not sickeningly sweet, as my past experiences with Hurricanes have been. But for me the showstopper was my next choice, The Eva Shrub. Wow, What a delight! It was made with gin, a beet & carrot vinegar, simple syrup and soda water, and it was fantastic! I've never had anything like it before and you can bet I'll be back soon to have another. My date had an Old Fashioned, a Wry Wink, and a Forbes Buck. He enjoyed them all but raved about the Forbes Buck. I have to apologize, as I don't remember what was in his cocktails, but I had my own to focus on! All in all, a fantastic date spot for some truly wonderful hand crafted artisanal cocktails, made with small batch, historically inspired spirits. And they are located not too far from the train station which is helpful. Riverside streets after dark can be challenging to navigate, even if one hasn't imbibed on deliciousness. Give this spot a try, I think you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

A cute lil spot! There was only one bartender, so the drinks took a long time. The menu is a bit confusing because it was labeled as 1 oz and 2 oz sizes, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The prices also seem high. I wish someone there have us the rundown of the menu, etc. I had the hibiscus drink and it was really amazing. Wish I could make it at home!

I purchased a Groupon for Quincy Street Distillery only because a couple at a local bar highly recommended it a few months ago. I had never heard of the place and even though I am a whiskey fan, I had never explored a true distillery. Wow. What an experience!! I ventured in here on a Friday evening and to my delight, the only people on the tour were my small group of 3. The owner, Derrick, is a wealth of knowledge. You can tell he takes pride in his business and it is evident in the final products the distillery produces (primarily vodka, gin and whiskey). Although the description of the tour was 1.5 hrs...our experience began at 5:30p and we left there around 8pm ( including about 20 min after the tour for a cocktail in their 'speakeasy' style bar area. I highly recommend this place for the tour and afterwards, stay for fabulous, unique drinks.

First time at Quincy's was a FIVE STAR rating leaning on a FOUR. Reason being there should be a better operation at the bar to let drinks out quicker, since it wasn't that busy. Whether it be preparation or a different system in place... Maybe something can be thought out that can help. Although, it is understandable that it is a small neighborhood distillery that has limited space and bartenders so it's not really something to complain greatly about. As far as customer service... The man and lady were very kind and professional. Also, the lady was helpful in understanding the different types of tastings that were served. Couldn't complain about the cocktails and the whiskeys and aged gin were fairly good for being young. It would be interesting to know what their bourbon would taste like if it was aged longer and picked up more oak characters and mouth feel... Barrel aging takes time, patience, and money so hopefully this is something that eventually happens. So the THREE STARS: Now, the second time visiting Quincy's was not horrible by any means but instead a let down after the first round of drinks. Maybe it had to do with lack of training or unpreparedness on the bartenders part but anyhow it was a let down... To explain, this time around IT WASN'T the lady and man but instead two younger guys. The first round of drinks went well but to get to the next order it took a while. Finally, after waiting to place the order for the next round they didn't have two of the cocktail choices available but nothing was done to make up for it. The long wait... Apologies. Not having two cocktail options... Apologies. Yet, why not just say, "Hey, sorry... Next cocktail is on the house!" By doing so it would have been the proper way to handle the situation. Everyone at the table thought it was coming and expected it but nothing came about but a cocktail order that was decided due to their lack of ingredients or cocktail availability. Suggestion: Small acts of courtesy go a long way in any business and the cost to do so can be minor compared to its gain. Definitely a nice place to return to... Just work on the service!

Had some of their handcraft cocktails--amazing! This you must experience. The ladies who mix these amazing drinks are super sweet and helpful. I can't wait to try more of these drinks.

The tour provided by this distillery was lackluster and felt extremely uncomfortable. The tour guide focused only on a few members in our group. Questions were not answered and the service wasn't up to par. The service is 1 Star, paying customers should be served not only with a drink but with respect.

This review is based on our second visit. Once again we were completely impressed. We met Coby. She is a secret weapon for QSD. She showed us the new menu. It was so extensive that I had a difficult time deciding. We ordered the brown derby and the Gold Dust (I think that was the name). We were there for the tour. It's a great deal on living social. We love to support LOCAL Business. Quincy Street Distillery deserves our support. We wished we lived closer. Quincy Street Distillery has really expanded their offerings. In addition to the baby bourbon, whiskey and railroad gin, they now have a high end bourbon (love) a dry gin, vodka, and poteen. They still have the lovely prairie sunshine made with local honey. We left the distillery with more understanding of the process, two specialty drinks, two bourbon glasses and a fabulous bottle of Laughton Bros. Bourbon. You should def go here.

Came across a Groupon for a tour and tasting at this place. Had no idea there was a local distillery nearby so decided to check it out. Tours are on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Booked the Sunday noon tour. The place was only 10 minutes away so that was very convenient. Its a quaint little place. The owner took us into the areas were the spirits are made and explained the entire process. It was very engaging and informative. At then end of the "learning session" we were able to sample some of the spirits they made. I wasn't expecting such a variety ranging from whiskey to vodka to gin . After the tasting you could stay and order cocktails from the bar as well. They have a very extensive cocktail menu encompassing their spirits and they are reasonably priced. Overall I really enjoyed the experience and the atmosphere. I will definitely return for their delicious, unique cocktails.

This place is so cool! It is a very casual, friendly, and local vibe and the bar tender is very knowledgeable. All of the drinks are STRONG (in a good way) and it is my husband and I's new favorite pre or post dinner hang out spot. We have taken multiple different friends here and they have all enjoyed it. The service is slightly slow since there is only one bartender, but just order a double and that won't be a problem! The Hibiscus Sour is a must try and their most popular drink.

My wife and I stopped in last night for the first time and we had a great time. We were impressed with the quality of their spirits and sampled various gins, whiskeys and ryes. Their cocktail menu is expansive and does a good job of showcasing the many offerings. We will definitely be back.

I had a lovely time with my family and friends tonight. JT makes the best old fashions. I love this place. It is so chill and old time Riversiders love it. Thanks!

I've come here now twice to enjoy cocktails and I'm a bigger fan than ever! All their cocktails are so artfully created with fresh ingredients. The staff is super friendly and will stop to talk with you (Cobie is the best!), and they keep the fresh popcorn coming out to balance the drinks. If you have any questions on what something tastes like, they will give you a sample to solidify your choice before committing. This place is a continual favorite and I hope to be back soon!

My 2nd visit & we found a Groupon for the distillery tour. This tour was super informative and the drinks were on point. We learned what classifies as a Illinois Whiskey and how to read whiskey labels. He walked us through the process and then we tasted like 10 different spirits. I will be back for drinks, and this would be a great tour to do with friends.

Stopped in on a snowy spring day. I wasn't the only one with that idea as the smallish tasting room was full. The place had a nice feel to it. My prohibition old fashioned was really good. It was an ultra hip high end cocktail at a reasonable price. Just a fun experience all around.

Had a wonderful time at this amazing speak easy. Delicious drinks wonderful atmosphere and an extremely knowledgeable bartender JT. The owner Derrick is so experienced with distilling. We will be back.

Great local spot. "Mixologists" couldn't have been nicer. You have the option of 1 or 2 oz. drinks, so you can test a couple different ones and still walk out of the place! Yum!

We thoroughly enjoyed this distillery. We took the tour which was a gifted Groupon. I'm not a whiskey drinker but I completely enjoyed this experience. The owner is knowledgeable and made the tour so interesting by explaining so much of US history and how whiskey played a part. It was great. The tasting was fabulous. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed. The flavors are all so unique. You will not be disappointed. We will return with friends.

Very enjoyable experience! Came in a group of 4 for the distillery tour Groupon. The head distiller talked us through a history of Whiskey, the distillery itself, and the process of making spirits. It's clear the man is very passionate about his craft. The balance of the tour time versus tasting time was a little off - I think he could've talked to us as we were sitting at the bar tasting the spirits instead of standing around the already cramped distillery space. In the end, we got generous samples of several different spirits, a great etched whiskey glass, and lots of knowledge (Did you know vodka is distilled from the leftover flavorless stuff after whiskey or gin is made?) Definitely recommended for an afternoon activity. As for a recommendation of their whiskeys, I bought a bottle of their rye whiskey, and I don't even like rye whiskeys.

This is an awesome local business. We went for a tour of the distillery on a Saturday afternoon. Derrick, the owner, is incredibly knowledgable and made the two hour tour engaging. The tour includes tasting 10 or 11 spirits which was phenomenal. I never knew people could experience whiskey so differently before I sat down and tried it with our group! Whiskey aside, they make the smoothest gin I have ever had. We stayed for a drink after the tour, but their credit card machine went down. Coby was the only bartender there at the time so it took awhile longer to make our drinks and fix the machine. She gave us the drinks for free. We're excited to come back when they have vodka back in stock! Apparently it sells out as soon as they have it bottled.

We came to this place 20 minutes before the posted closing time on a Friday. They were more than welcoming, explained all the drinks we were interested in and had no problem when we left well after closing. The place is quite nice and with more time I'm certain I would find lots of nice gifts for my friends from out of town. Definitely hit this place up after a nice dinner in riverside.

Used living social for the tour, and we couldn't be happier. Great history and information by the owner, followed by 12 drink samples and an etched glass. Going back for drinks.

We came after work. This is a must and worth the trip no matter where you live. Craft quality cocktails...excellent mixologist!!! I will be back.

They provide both an informative and entertaining tour of the distilling process and the history of whiskey in Illinois and the United States. Then at the end of the tour, you get to sample their fantastic products. You can also head in without the tour and have a seat at the bar, and the bartender will guide you through their products and mix you a tasty drink. Highly recommended. Bring friends and stay awhile.

While I dont drink bourbon/whiskey, my husband and friends do - so they bought this groupon and took me along... it was a learning experience for sure - and the speakeasy was cute and my friends all enjoyed their cocktails. theres a groupon to go for $20 - you try lots of booze, learn the history of it all, and get some whiskey glasses at the end. the owner was super friendly and knowledgeable - really enjoyed chatting with him. Definitely think if you are a whiskey drinker you would enjoy this little place!

Charming place!! What a wonderful and very informative tour by Derek, the founding owner of Quincy distillery. He really knows a lot about distilling. The taste testing at the end of the tour was terrific too. Sooooo many samples. James, the mixologist, who gave us the sample tastings was also very knowledgeable. Well worth the $10.00 tour fee. I'd recommend it to all!!

This place is fantastic. I had a Living Social deal for a tour here and it couldn't have gone any better. Befor the tour we ordered cocktails to drink while on the tour and I have to say, this lace is absouletey a hidden gem. I don't think you could get a cocktail of this quality anywhere nearby for the incredibly cheap price of four bucks. The drinks I had were just what summer called for, light and sweet and easy to drink on a warm day. The area you actually tour is quite small. That aside, you get so much information on how they make their spirts it's incredible the wealth of knowledge you walk away with after you're done. I can confidently say that after the tour, I know just enough to know that I don't want to do that at all. They do it so well, that I don't have to though. All of the spirits that I ended up tasting were excellent. All of them. Some of them shocked me as to how good they were. Though their spirts can get a little pricey. I would say that many of them are worth it. I can't wait to go back,

What a GREAT distillery. We went on a Living Social deal, and it was well worth it. The owner shared SO MUCH information about actual distilling, not like other places, where it's just "here's our stuff, now drink your paltry 2 samples and GTFO." He's a retired physicist, and you can see it in his setup and hear it in his explanations. Being a science person, I thought that was great. All whisky's sampled were well explained and described - all quite tasty, too. We stayed after the tour/tasting for drinks (I had an old-fashioned, he had their special hot cider drink) and watching the bartend-ress work was captivating. I cannot wait to go back with friends & share this little gem!

Really interesting and creative menu. Fantastic drinks! Love the vinegar drinks- really different. Great little place and fantastic bartender!

Still loving Quincy Street Distillery. Since my original review they've opened up a small bar where you can purchase cocktails make with their products. It's a nice little spot to stop in for a drink. I also did a distillery tour with my family, it was interesting and informative. In addition to some of their "staples" they seem to try new things as well,, definitely worth stopping in periodically to see what's going on . Hope they continue to do well. Cheers!

This place is an absolute gem. Creative craft cocktails without the pretense. Very small bar area with odd hours - so memorize when they're open and go when you can. Totally worth it.