Buying Beer In Walgreens, Downtown Chicago: Is It Possible?

Chicago, Illinois, is known for its thriving craft beer scene and innovative distilleries, with the state ranking fifth in the United States for its spirits market. The city has various liquor laws, including a ban on liquor sales after midnight and a standard closing hour of 2 am, Monday through Saturday, and 3 am on Sundays for businesses with a Consumption or Tavern License. With that being said, you may be able to purchase beer at Walgreens in downtown Chicago, Illinois, as there are Walgreens stores in the area that offer beer and liquor.

Walgreens stores in downtown Chicago that sell beer

Chicago, Illinois, is known for its thriving craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The state's local craft beer and spirits showcase Midwestern ingenuity blended with artisanal techniques, utilizing regionally-sourced grains and ingredients.

If you're looking to purchase beer from a Walgreens store in downtown Chicago, there are several locations that offer beer and other alcoholic beverages. Here are the details for each location:

200 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60606:

• Phone Number: 312-372-0331
• Hours: Open until 6 pm with a break from 1:30 pm to 2 pm

2 N State St #1, Chicago, IL 60602:

• Phone Number: 312-332-0216
• Hours: Open until 6 pm with a break from 1:30 pm to 2 pm

30 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602:

• Phone Number: 312-332-3540
• Hours: Open until 6 pm with a break from 1:30 pm to 2 pm

151 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601:

• Phone Number: 312-863-4249
• Hours: Open until 7 pm with a break from 1:30 pm to 2 pm

It's important to note that the sale of alcohol in Chicago has some regulations in place. While Illinois is known for its business-friendly liquor regulations, Chicago has banned liquor sales after midnight. Additionally, the legal opening time for liquor establishments is 7 am from Monday to Saturday and 11 am on Sundays.

Liquor laws in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, has a thriving craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The state's local craft beer and spirits scene blend Midwestern ingenuity with artisanal techniques, utilising regionally-sourced grains and ingredients.

The state of Illinois is an "open state", meaning private entities handle the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, but they are still regulated by state legislators. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is responsible for licensing, tax collection, auditing, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations. All businesses that deal with manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol in Illinois must be licensed.

In the city of Chicago, the zoning district of a business location determines the type of business activities that are permitted. The Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 permits voters in any precinct in the City of Chicago to vote an entire precinct "dry" through a local option referendum, meaning no liquor licenses can be issued. Additionally, there are restrictions on the proximity of liquor retailers to churches, schools, homes for the aged, libraries, and other taverns.

Happy hour laws in Illinois prohibit serving two or more drinks at a time to one person, selling an unlimited number of drinks for a fixed price, and increasing drink volume without increasing price. It is also illegal to encourage or permit any game or contest involving drinking on licensed premises.

The minimum legal drinking age in Illinois is 21, and it is illegal to sell, serve, purchase, or provide alcohol to anyone under this age.

Liquor licensing in Illinois

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) oversees all tiers of the liquor industry in the state, including manufacturers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies, and rectifiers), wholesalers or distributors, and retailers (on-premise and off-premise). All businesses dealing with alcohol in Illinois must be licensed, and the ILCC has strict issuance requirements laid out in the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934.

To obtain a liquor license in Illinois, you must first apply with your local municipality before applying to the State of Illinois. Each municipality has its own requirements for liquor licensure, so it is essential to ensure you are complying with the specific guidelines of your local area. The ILCC provides a helpful FAQ page to guide applicants through the process.

The main type of liquor license issued is the retailer liquor license, which costs $750 and must be renewed annually for the same fee. Most restaurants and bars only need a general retailer license, but there are specific licenses for brewpubs, caterers, and winemakers. A special use permit is required for off-premise events, but a retailer's license is still necessary.

For those interested in offering samples of homemade alcoholic beverages to the public, a homebrewer special event permit is required, costing $25. It is important to note that this permit only covers free samples, and a retailer license is needed if money will be exchanged.

Illinois also offers a BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) license, which allows companies to train their staff in-house instead of outsourcing to another company. The BASSET license costs $350 and must be renewed annually.

The ILCC's Licensing Division issues over 200 new and 2,000 renewal state liquor licenses every month, with 39 different license categories, including airplanes, trains, liquor stores, and special events. The division has staff in Chicago and Springfield to assist applicants through the license issuance process.

Chicago's ban on liquor sales after midnight

Chicago has recently banned the sale of liquor after midnight, with the ordinance taking effect immediately for new liquor license applications and from January 1, 2025, for renewals. This measure applies to liquor stores, retailers, bars, and restaurants.

The new law was implemented to curb crime and prevent loitering outside stores, with the aim of reducing violence, fights, and noise disturbances in the city. Previously, liquor sales were allowed until 2 a.m. in Chicago, which had some of the most liberal liquor laws in the country. The new ordinance brings Chicago in line with cities like New York and Washington, D.C., which have similar midnight cut-off points for liquor sales.

The impact of this ban is yet to be seen, with some speculating that it may reduce problems caused by drunk people disturbing neighbourhoods. However, others argue that it may negatively affect businesses, especially those located near the city's boundaries, as customers can simply go to the suburbs to shop for alcohol late at night. Additionally, there are concerns that the ban may lead to an increase in drunk driving, as people may rush to liquor stores before they close or opt to stay longer at bars.

It is unclear if this ban includes Walgreens stores that sell beer and liquor in downtown Chicago. Walgreens stores in the city do sell beer and liquor, but it is unknown if they are affected by the new ordinance.

The top beer, wine, and spirit brands in Illinois

Yes, you can buy beer at Walgreens in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Some Walgreens stores in the area that offer wine and spirits include:

• 200 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60606
• 2 N State St #1, Chicago, IL 60602
• 30 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602
• 151 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

Now, here is an overview of the top beer, wine, and spirit brands in Illinois.

Beer

According to Untappd data, the top 10 most popular beers in Illinois over the past 90 days include:

• Anti-Hero (IPA-American) by Revolution Brewing
• Son of Juice (New England/Hazy IPA) by Maplewood Brewing Company
• Zombie Dust (American Pale Ale) by 3 Floyds Brewing
• Daisy Cutter Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) by Half Acre Beer Company
• Cold Time (American Lager) by Revolution Brewing
• Guinness Draught (Irish Dry Stout) by Guinness
• Heileman's Old Style (American Lager) by Pabst Brewing Company
• Turbo Reaper (American IPA) by 3 Floyds Brewing
• Miller Lite (American Light Lager) by Miller Brewing Company
• Gumballhead (American Pale Wheat Wheat Beer) by 3 Floyds Brewing

Wine

Illinois is home to several wine distributors and importers, including:

• Stoller Wholesale Wine & Spirits, Inc.: One of the fastest-growing wine and spirit distributors in Illinois, with a focus on family-owned wineries and world-renowned spirits.
• D.G.L. Distributors, Inc.: An importer and wholesaler headquartered in Chicago, offering a range of wine and specialty spirits from boutique wineries worldwide.
• Cream Wine Company: An independent importer and distributor of fine wines, craft spirits, ginjo sake, beer, and cider, serving the top restaurants and wine shops in Illinois.
• Artisan Beverage Company: A craft beer, wine, and spirits wholesaler serving retailers, bars, restaurants, hotels, and caterers across Illinois.
• Heritage Wine Cellars Ltd: An independent fine wine importer and distributor located in suburban Chicago, servicing Illinois retailers and restaurants.
• Maverick Wine Company: A fine wine importer and distributor based in Chicago, serving wine retail shops and restaurants in Illinois.

Spirits

While the above-mentioned companies also distribute spirits, the following are dedicated spirit brands and distributors in Illinois:

• G&M Distributors, Inc.: A wholesale beverage distributor serving western Illinois since 1946, offering a range of beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.
• Baltic Food Distributing: A distributor of natural and specialty Lithuanian and European food and liquor products in Illinois, providing high-quality products and services to its customers.

Frequently asked questions