Evanston First Liquors

February 1, 2007
I didn’t especially get the appeal of this place. As Jeff Lebowski might say, "How do you keep down on the farm once they’ve seen Binny’s/Discount Liquor?" This place is convenient if you’re in Evanston/Northwestern University. It was late on a weeknight when I visited, and the place was empty and looked to me a bit run-down. Selection was decent, but compared to other good liquor stores not fantastic. I wasn’t offered any help (or even spoke to) by the staff. I thought pricing was a bit high, and with the taxes, a little silly.

April 22, 2006
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, pretty good I guess. Pretty poor atmosphere. Like crappy liquor store with cheetos and shit for sale too. Selection of beers is pretty good i guess. like full lines of Bells, three floyds, founders, and great lakes. I hear all this stuff about their belgians. didn’t believe it then...don’t believe it now. they had st. bernardus and corsedonk but no rochefort or anything worth while (quality And quantity). Most of the prices were a lot but they had bombers of Hop Rod Rye for 3.99 and you can’t beat that...I don’t care what jock you’re wearing.

March 8, 2006
pretty good, normal prices. it had its own belgian section, but it wasn’t enormous or anything. nothing binny’s doesn’t have really.

February 2, 2006 [ Updated August 2, 2006 ]
I have been shopping at this store for several years, mainly because it’s just down the street from Vintage Vinyl. The Belgian selection is decent, they do cover all the styles. Their American micro section basically covers the Great Lakes regional brewers and a few of the better microbrews from around the country. Their U.K. and German beer section is average with a few unique offerings other stores in the area don’t carry. I have found the prices to be either in line with or a little higher than other stores on the north side. Service is basically hands off, but there are a couple members of the staff who are actually beer knowledgeable. If I had problems finding something, the staff was helpful and would also make suggestions about other beers in stock. Sometimes the staff can seem somewhat snarly, not at the customers, but because they are fighting among themselves, which I have always viewed as being a bit comical. If you’re someone who doesn’t download all their music or are just curious, not far from First Liquors, at 925 Davis, is the Evanston/Chicago landmark, Vintage Vinyl. If you’re in to U.K. indie rock, psychedelic, progressive, krautrock, mod, 60’s beat or are looking for vinyl of any genre, jazz, blues, soundtrack or rarities in general, you need to check this store out. You may remember it from the John Cusack movie, "High Fidelity".

July 8, 2005
I thought I would venture up to Evanston one day and finally made it. Just take the purple line and get off at Davis, it is sort of in downtown Evanston, if there is such a thing. Selection was weak, especially compared to what else is available on the northside and Chicagoland in general. Not really worth the trip if you are not in the area. Of note, they had about two full size coolers full of Samuel Smith’s and Young’s singles. They must sell a lot. Glad I didnt go to school at NU.

February 9, 2004
Like austinpowers, I'm an NU man, and I was just entering the rudimentary stages of beergeekdom when Evanston First opened in the mid-80s, the first liquor store in this once-dry town. So my review is somewhat nostalgic and rose-colored (though I've been back, many times, as recently as 2 months ago). Very good selection of area micros, good selection of pricey Belgians, always changing. With all of the other great stores in the Chicago area, this is hardly a mandatory stop, but the selection is great for such a small store.

January 26, 2004
Went to college at Northwestern U. and Evanston First was my local liquor store. We knew even back then that we had a good thing on our hands! The selection of US micros from all over was quite impressive. Located in the pretty downtown area of Evanston. Metra's Purple Line will get you there. I think you'd get off at the Davis St. stop.