Chicago Lake Liquors

Do you like deals? Do you like booze? Well you are in luck. Chicago Lake has some of the best deals around and a great selection to boot. Added bonus — a police officer is always on duty.

I have been to this place a few times for buying alcohol. This is not my favorite liquor store, but it’s not the worst. I find that this is a hit and miss place. It mostly depends on the time of day. I find that the daytime is a better time to go there than the night time. I understand that the neighborhood is not the best, which is not the business’ fault.
They gain a lot of points for their selection and organization. They have a good selection of alcohol that I like to buy, and it is easy to find. Most of the time, I can walk in there and walk out in a short period of time. They are also usually well-​stocked on their goods. I often do not need to worry about them running out of something that I may need.
I find that the customer service is mediocre, not the best but not the worst. There are some friendly people there, but there are some not-​so-​friendly people as well. I think that overall aspect can be improved. I also think that they can do better on cleanliness of the store. I have seen the place dirty, even on their slow times.
I have also noticed a great deal of loiterers there that management does not appear to do anything about managing. There have been times that I have had to to drive away without buying anything because they made me nervous.
Overall, I will only continue to come here for convenience sake. This is not my first choice of liquor stores, but it is not my last.

This is the only liquor store I go to. The ONLY reason I give them 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact that they busted up the attempt to unionize.
It’s the most inexpensive liquor store in Minneapolis, I believe. Staff is always friendly, and they have an amazing selection.
*** For all the people talking about sketchy clientele, convinced a shooting is about to take place, and the place being in a bad neighborhood, I have a few things to say to you:
Just because brown people are around, doesn’t mean that a place is bad. If you’re afraid of people of color, please go back to Edina, et al. We live in a city that’s already 80% white, we don’t need suburbanites complaining about being afraid of the 20% who are «different.»

I don’t know why I love this liquor store mmm maybe its cause ITS SO BIG AND CHEAP they got everything I have been looking for some liquor and some stores don’t carry it or never heard of it here I have never been disappointed! for some reason there liquor taste stranger maybe im crazy or something but like the jack daniels I bought here it was SOOO STRONG im like woooo now if I get jack daniels someelse its smooth maybe im nuts!
anyways I def recommend this place

The security guard gave me the boot today for carrying an empty, reusable shopping bag into the store. Doesn’t seem like a very green or very friendly attitude. At least he settled for screaming and berating me instead of shooting me.

Good selection. GREAT prices (and sometimes incredible prices).
The neighborhood and clientele are best described as «eclectic».
Go in, and ask if Pete is around. Pete is the beer buyer and is readily willing to walk you around and introduce you to all the different beers. He always has something interesting that is new and always has something interesting on sale.
Everyday prices: 12pks of Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Summit, Ranger are always in the $ 10.99-$ 11.99 range.
On sale: I recently scored a case of Goose Island for $ 14.99 & a Sam Adams 12pk sampler for $ 8.99.
If you don’t like getting gouged by the the little monopoly your local Muni operates then cross a couple of zip codes and stock up.

i used to love this place until they fired 5 people in spring of 2013 for union organizing. eventually they settled and gave the fired workers over $ 30,000 to pay them off… and the workers took it because everyone else who had been a part of the union organizing had quit now that the bosses knew what was up.

If we’re just going to grab a bottle or a case of beer, we’ll hit the liquor store closet to home, but for stocking up, this is THE spot! For a fact, hands down, cheapest prices in the city, probably by 15−20%. On our most recent visit we spent $ 118 and got a 1.75 of Svedka, 750 of cherry Stoli (in the bargain bin near the check out, with many other flavors to choose from!), a liter of Bushmill’s, 750 of whipped cream Smirnoff, a case of Coors Light (keepin it classy, always) 6-​pack of Angry Orchard ciders, 4-​pack of Bud Light Lime tallboys, and 4 assorted little 1-​oz bottles of flavored vodkas. Hell of a deal.
Also, the people-​watching is phenomenal. Feeling bad about yourself? Come here, and you’ll feel better, I swear.
Minus one star cuz I always feel like a shooting might occur at any moment. Oh, and the aisles are a bit narrow and difficult to navigate.

This is my go to liquor store. They have some of the best prices around. Sometimes $ 10 cheaper then other stores. Check this place out first. The only draw back is the small wine section. But other then that its great.

This is my neighborhood liquor store. The staff are always friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable… you can get almost anything from a cheap bottle of wine to an expensive bottle of champagne. There is a great selction of beers, liqueurs, and hard liquor as well.
Chicago Lake Liquors obviously cares about their customers.

Wow… their selection is great. I passed by so many times thinking «this place looks sort of sketchy» and on impulse for a night of fun, I dropped in to pick up some beer and cider for me and my bf. I was surprised by how it seemed soooo different from the exterior. I picked up a stout that was being sold beneath cost for my bf then I picked up a cider for myself. The selection was amazing and the prices were very good. The atmosphere was not dreary like I expected but a bit on the lively side in a sense. This is not a «getting drunk» liquor store, its a «I want quality» liquor store. Feel free to stop in!

I love the place, but since the management decided to fire workers for union organizing I have decided to shop elsewhere. Apparently ‘union made’ is fine on the beer, but not fine on the beer store.

Love it, love it, love it. Very good selection, stellar prices — and I mean STELLAR — reasonable lines, friendly cashiers, ample and helpful employees, and even though it’s right at the corner of two very busy streets it has a parking lot. Did I mention the crazy-​cheap prices? New favorite liquor store.

This place is great for what I need it to be.
Cheap wine.
I go here for cheap wine, at like $ 2.99-$ 3.99 a bottle. I have no palate and no shame.
However, it is a bit crowded (the aisles), the beer selection isn’t that great (go to Zipp’s), and the clientele can be a bit sketch.
But for cheap wine, come here. I think you can also buy it by the case, so save even more dollas.

I freaking love alcohol… and this place!
Believe it or not, this is probably the only liquor store where the more than one person (in one visit) has asked me how I’m doing and if they could help me find something. Really? Are they drunk? Asking ME if I need help? That never happens in a liquor store.
And yes, this happens every time I step foot in this son’bish. And yes, I frequent this place a lot.
Last time I visited (it’s been a long five days), I loaded up my cart with seven bottles of Riesling and four bottles of red wine. I wish I could say these were all for me, but no, I was throwing a party and I tried to stay classy like that. The cashier asked me if she could check on a discount for buying a case, «uhhh… yes? thanks for checking, but I feel like a complete alcoholic.» Unfortunately, the discount could only be applied if I bought 12 of one kind of wine… darn! Next time… next time.
Before I knew it, another person was at the register loading up a box with my wine and asked if I needed help out to my car as I paid my $ 100 tab. Someone’s going to walk me out? Am I in a Byerly’s or Lunds? No? Okay, now I knew that they were SERIOUSLY drunk.
Just remember, tip them a couple of bucks!
Did I mention that there’s typically a pretty darn good lookin’ police officer on duty? Ah, yes, hot officer. And no, no, silly, that’s not with my beer goggles on.

This place is amazing. I rarely visit liquor stores, but I’m confident in saying that this store is nicer and better priced than any other one I’ve been to, including ones in the suburbs.
I was not expecting the level of microbrews that this place has, nor the wine selection. I was also not expecting the friendly, happy cashiers. I mean, what liquor store has happy cashiers?
This place. This place does.

It’s in a shady area.
The beer is about 15% cheaper than MGM and it’s the same distance from uptown.
Check out the wine disco bin. Blackstone Pinot Noir was $ 5.99
Great selection.
They do take credit cards, but they don’t take American Express.

I attempt to get a parking spot close to the front doors. Once inside, I relax a bit. The security guard in his perch puts me more at ease.
Seriously though, one of the best selections for both beer and liquor on the South Side of the city. Great prices, stock and selection.
However, you often have to make your way through guys paying in change… who «forgot» their ID… or just want to bump you on their way through. If you can handle the tough crowd (often found on evenings) then this is your spot!

Without a doubt the best liquor store in the metro area… at least on this side of the Mississippi.
This place can curtail to almost any boozehounds tastes. On a budget and need to get plowed? A case of Black Label and a bottle of Thunderbird can be yours for well under $ 20.
The bum wine selection here is wonderful. Mad Dog ²⁰⁄₂₀ Orange Jubilee is like my secret boozy mistress that you dont introduce to your friends because you’re ashamed. Actually, nevermind all of my friends are well aware that I drink some putrid liquors.
For your non bum wine needs, the selection is good. I base my wine buying on either a hilarious name or if it has something cute on the bottle. This is why Little Penguin is my favorite wine.
People say the store is «sketchy» but thats kind of a stretch. They’ve got so much security onsite that the likelihood anything would ever occur to compromise your safety is laughable.
BONUS: It shares a parking lot with Los Ocampo… so if you havent eaten, go there.

This is my place.
If I ever need to get my drank-​on,
I go here.
Great selection.
Great prices.
Seriously, I don’t go anywhere else.
There is always a mad rush at closing time on the weekends,
so if you’re wise, you’ll get your shopping done early.
The parking lot is like a zoo!!!
Come early, stay sane.