Mandy’s Liquors

Come on, Unilocalers, you could do a lot worse than to have this place as your neighborhood liquor store. The selection of microbrews is fantastic, particularly of chilled 22oz/​750ml sizes (just enough to scratch my itch on a weekend afternoon).
I haven’t noticed any improper fees, and I’m not a diligent comparison shopper, but the prices don’t seem any higher than they should be for a store of this type. After reading these reviews I checked out the Binny’s price of the bottle that I bought yesterday – a 750ml of North Coast Pranqster. $ 6.49 at Binny’s, $ 6.99 at Mandy’s. That’s a mere 50 cents (or 7.7%) extra for the pleasure of walking ten minutes round trip from my house versus the frustration of spending an hour in the car to go five miles round trip through the weekend clusterbleep of the heart of Lakeview. I’ll take it.

Selection does not trump service…
1^st trip — lil buzzed after Ravinia popped in grabbed a 6pack and thought I paid a premium but it was late and had a place to be.
2^nd trip — Stopped in for a quick grab and go of a specific 6pack they carry (the same one from above) rolled up on my bike and neglected to have my lock with me (my bad). They have a HUGE area open in front that I could have stashed my bike for the 30 seconds I would have been in the store (I do not leave my ride unlocked/​attended with rampant bike thieves) but the fella behind the counter told me to leave it outside and he would watch it. I am sure my ride would have survived but… I just cant do it. It left a bad taste in my mouth especially when there is a huge open area inside.
3^rd trip — sober and on a mission stopped in grabbed a 6pack and realized the up-​charge, bought it but will never be back again.
… let me repeat selection does not trump service.

I was genuinely temped to add another star for their impressive beer selection, but the creepiness of the owner — Sam — made me decide against it. Alcohol can be expensive in Chicago and I’m normally more than willing to pay a little more for convenience, and this place is literally one block from where I live. However, every time I come in, he tries to get me to drink wine with him in his back office. At first I thought it was a lighthearted joke and I joked back with him. Since then, he has remembered me and I feel targeted whenever I come in. At this point, I leave my sunglasses on indoors (like a major ass) and avoid eye contact. There are even times where I’ll have someone else go in without me and I’ll wait outside. I love their selection; I can deal with the prices; I can not deal with feeling like a piece of meat whenever I want to buy a bottle of wine.

While I admit they charge a little more than most places, they have a solid collection of Craft Beer that only those in the know will value, how many places got two cases of the legendary Dogfish Head 120 min IPA?! very few, Sam the owner knows what he is drinking and drinks what he sells. If they sell at a higher price (come on whole foods) its because they don’t have the buying power of a big chain like Binny’s or Whole Foods, besides, few stores in this area have the selection that Mandy’s has and as a loyal customer he has even held back special brews for me, that counts in my book.

I wanted to like this place, because it was so close. Then one night (not late, mind you, ~7pm), my girlfriend walks over there to get limes, and comes home to tell me the owner kept on insisting that if she go wait for him in the back office, he’d give her free wine. And not in a joking, pass-​by comment. Like really, really insisting.
Not ok.
I’d rather walk to Milwaukee than patronize this sleazy scumbag.

Yeah, they are expensive and sometimes they accept credit cards and sometimes they don’t. But the bottom line is they have a FANTASTIC beer selection, both in 22oz bombers and six/​twelve packs. This place is über convenient to me so on those Thursday nights where I want to sit around with some friends, play some music, and enjoy a couple chilly ones, Mandy’s is the place to stop. I’ll pay for convenience, will you?

Am I the only one that likes this place? :D Mandy’s has an impressive selection of beers. I was very excited when I stepped foot in this place and saw the individual bottles and different cases of beer to choose from. Since I’m not a wine fan I can’t really comment on the selection there, but I will say that I was psyched when I saw that Mandy’s carries the alcoholic whipped «Cream» in almost all the flavors. The front of the store says that it also carries food, but really the only things I saw there were a few barren-​looking shelves holding pickles, olives, and some condiments – so not much in the food aisle. Besides that, I find the workers friendly and helpful and I enjoy the liquor variety.

This is the closest liquor store to my place, so its convenient to get to. They also have a really good selection of beer, wine, etc. for a small place. However, if you don’t have extra piles of money sitting around your house or bank account, you should go elsewhere. This place is constantly 20% more expensive than its competitors. I’ve asked why, they say it’s the taxes. I go down the street and pay less for the same thing. I have tried to support this neighborhood business for too long. I’ll still buy from mom & pop stores, just not this one. I recommend RayAnn’s on Clark & Wilson for similar selection, better prices.

My first Unilocal review! First of all, all the negative reviews about this place are spot on. The first time I went here the owner gave me the guilt trip for using a credit card. Look, man, I manage a small business too. I know that merchant fees are highway robbery, but when you accept credit cards you give up the right to bitch about it, especially to customers. If you don’t like it, be cash only. I got no problem with that. And I was spending over $ 40! It was just ridiculous.
The only reason I ever go back is because I frequent Erick’s Tacos down the street, and it’s convenient to go to Mandy’s for beer while I wait for my food, but here’s the thing. Every six-​pack is $ 1 more than it should be, and I don’t mean $ 1 more than the grocery store. I mean $ 1 more than every other liquor store. I always end up getting a deuce of something and swear I’ll never go back.
The other night was the last straw. I was looking at the six-​packs when lo and behold I saw a lone six-​pack of Bohemia at the end of the cooler for $ 8.99. Expensive, yes, but not terrible. So I go to check out, and the woman rings up $ 9.99 + 20 cents + tax! I told her that it was $ 8.99, and she apologized saying she thought it was the Negro pronouncing negro with a long E. I know it was just a language thing, but still. You should know how to pronounce your products without offending a large percentage of your potential customer base. Anyway, I didn’t believe her apology for a second. I didn’t even get into what the whole 20 cents was about, but I noticed she did the same 20 cents when she re-​rang it up as $ 8.99 as she did when she rang it up as $ 9.99. Now I know vice taxes are always going up, but I’m pretty sure there’s not a fixed fee on all transactions. If there’s a line between bad service and criminal misdemeanor, this place is teetering on it.
They have a pretty good selection of imports and micro-​brews, but as previously discussed, they’re way overpriced. They have a selection of wines and liquor too, but I’d never even consider buying them here. Next time I go to Erick’s I’m making the extra stop at Foster Food and Liquor on Foster and Winchester because those guys are cool and priced correctly.
Now as this is my first review, I have to let it be known that I’m not a total dick. I’m actually very nice and laid back. Way to go, Mandy’s. Now I feel bad.

Good privately owned neighborhood liquor store. Quite an Impressive selection of beer (including all of the local micros), wine, and especially whisky. Yes, it’s a little pricey. Yes it’s a little rough around the edges. Booze is pricey, get over it.

Before you go to Mandy’s for alcohol, you must ask yourself this essential question: how badly do I want/​need alcohol? Because if the answer is «not so bad», you should go elsewhere.
On second thought, there is another reason to shop at Mandy’s. You live in the neighborhood. Ten inches of snow (at least) have fallen; you know you won’t be going to work for at least a day, so you might as well eat frozen pizza and drink lots of beer/​wine/​spirits for a day or two. The city has shut down, so why should you care if you get totally pissed for a while? Stay indoors, watch DVDs of «Dexter», and stuff yourself with alcohol and crappy food that tastes wonderful.
Mandy’s has a selection. They carrry wine, beer, and spirits. They also have a small (read: EXTREMELY small) grocery section. If you want chips, olives, mac and cheese, or Wonder Bread with your bottle, you’re in luck. Mandy’s has it.
Like so many so-​called «convenience» stores, you will pay a major premium for convenience. The prices are very high. The cheap bottle of Australian wine I’ve purchased at Jewel for $ 7.00 costs $ 10 or even more at Mandy’s. Convenience has a price.
I have shopped at Mandy’s on several occasions. When I had people coming over for dinner, and nobody, but nobody, brought wine. You can get wine at Mandy’s.
I’ve shopped at Mandy’s when I’ve had a day from hell at work, and my choice seems to be, have a couple glasses of wine and forget the world, or kill deserving people. In such cases, a mild hangover is much more acceptable socially.
I don’t know about a creepy male owner, as other reviewers have mentioned. Each time I’ve been in, there’s always a lady parked behind the counter, watching tv. She takes my money and puts my purchase in a bag. Such is life. I ask for nothing more.
Places like Mandy’s serve a purpose, for those of us who occasionally indulge in an adult beverage. Much, much better to go to Fine Wine Brokers in the neighborhood, or Jewel for your inexpensive Australian wine. But if you’re around Lawrence and Damen, and you have that inexplicable overpowering urge to pay too much for alcohol, Mandy’s will work just fine.

I like Mandy’s. Wine, beer and liquor selection is good. Despite what others have said on this site I LIKE the proprietors — and have NEVER been harassed for any reason, only warmly welcomed and served.

I’ll admit, the prices are on the high end — but that’s the case with any small liquor store that doesn’t buy in corporate bulk like Jewel or Meier. welcome to the city.
I love this place, the old man who owns the shop has never been anything less than friendly and has never given me attitude about paying with a card. in fact, my girlfriend and I have never used cash and it’s never been a problem. He chats with us but doesn’t bother us and is helpful with drink suggestions but only when asked.
for a neighborhood liquor store, I give this place two thumbs up. they have a ton of different beer and wine — way more than your run of the mill CVS that’s for damn sure. so if you’re looking for a dirty thirty of nasty domestic beer head up the street to the CVS — but if you want a little something more stop in to Mandy’s. Support your local family run business!!!

My partner in ladies night crime and I end up coming here way too frequently because they are close to her place and we are boozehounds, but good lord, the crazy made up fees…
I give the one extra star for their beer selection, and array of wines including some that aren’t too badly priced (pre «tax») but WHAT THE HELL?
The creepy proprietor does indeed sit around creeping me out, hitting on the ladies, and making up arbitrary prices for things. I’ve never been harrassed for using a credit card, but I’m betting if you use one, the «tax» on your liquor comes out higher.
Does this guy ask some crystal ball how much shit should cost, or maybe use one of those lottery ball things with numbers on them?
Magic 8 ball, please tell me there’s another liquor store around here somewhere…

Mandy’s has a good selection of beer and wine. That’s it. If you want to pay by credit card, you will pay more AND be harassed (even though their ATM never works). They have absolutely the HIGHEST prices on beer and wine that I’ve seen in the city. So, I’d say, skip it. There is not a dearth of liquor stores in the city.

They have a great selection of beers but their ‘harder to find’ brews are overpriced even before they add special fees; e.g. a 4-​pack of Matilda for $ 13.99. It’s cheaper at Whole Foods. Honestly, if I can say «It’s cheaper at Whole Foods» about the things you are selling, maybe you need to reevaluate your price structure.
We used to stop in here to get beer to take to the mexican place next door. I wanted a 12-​pack of Tecate cans. The six pack was marked $ 7.49; there was no price on the 12-​pack. The woman there claimed not to know what it cost either, so I suggested $ 14.99 as the 6-​pack was $ 7.49. She said she’d have to call the owner. Needless to say, we haven’t been back. We stop at Windy City Liquors up Damen on our way to Erick’s Tacos now.
It’s really a shame, because next to that great BYOB place it has potential. They just seem to not care.

Although these first two reviews are pretty much right on the money, I will say that Mandy’s is also the closest liquor store to my house so I always weigh it in terms of Time vs. Money — e.g. time spent walking/​driving and/​or time spent kicking back enjoying a flagon of strong, bitter ale vs. the extra $ 5 or $ 6 per bottle/​pack you always end up paying at Mandy’s since they’re insanely overpriced (and quite unapologetic about it).
If you’re a local and hard up for booze for that last minute Wii party, it’s great. But definitely not a destination location unless you enjoy that release of endorphins that comes with spending lots of extra money.

Mandy’s is the closest liquor store to my house, and they have a TERRIFIC beer selection, and a decent wine selection. The trouble is, they make up weird «fees» and «taxes» whenever they choose. For instance, if you want, say, a six pack of Two Brothers beer, the price is maybe 8.99 or 9.99. When they are done adding their mystery tax, with a straight face they will look at you and say «14.70,» or something absolutely insane like that. They also ask before you open your wallet if you are paying cash or credit, and if you charge it they charge YOU more. This is highly illegal. If you ask why it is so much, they make up some story about liquor tax and distributors and nonsense, like you live in a cave and would actually believe that. Go to Cardinal or Windy City if you need something close, or maybe take a night off and rest your liver and your bank account.

How is it that a $ 19 bottle of tequila ends up costing $ 25?
Shade.