Friendly staff, knowledgeable wine lovers, and generous pours. Craft beers available. read more

In Fine Spirits - Spain natural wines & French Natural wines, - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Was walking by on a saturday afternoon and saw they were offering free wine tasting, totally loved it. The place was a little cozy with a great ambience, and the staff were super friendly. I got to try two white wines, a pinot gris and a chardonnay. I also got to try the two reds shown in thr picture: cannonou di sardegna and a negroamaro-primitivo blend. Everything was delicious, especially the last red wine. And it was free! read more

In Fine Spirits - wine - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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In Fine Spirits made me sad. The store was sponsoring the first annual Andersonville Wine Walk, a wine tasting that takes place at various locations throughout Andersonville. A great idea, and I was looking forward to it. In order to participate, you purchased a wine glass, which you then took with you to the participating stores. Unfortunately, when I stopped by In Fine Spirits on Friday (the event was on Sunday), I discovered they were sold out! This could easily be the end of the story. But the owner of the store (Shane) was in, and he took the time to explain what had happened. The short version is simply that the event was far more successful than they imagined it would be. They even ended up selling the wine glasses that they had held back for their friends and family. Since the wine was donated and space at the stores was limited, they had to cap participation. [As it turns out, the event sold out the previous night, and since the signs had been up for a few weeks, it was my own damn fault that I missed out. But Shane was kind enough not to make this point.] He was so apologetic, and so obviously genuine in his explanation, that he turned what could have been a bad situation around. And since the event was held as a benefit for the Andersonville Development Corporation, it's not like the store was turning a profit. This personal touch, this willingness to take the time to make contact with customers and really answer their questions, is what makes In Fine Spirits something more than your average wine shop. In Fine Spirits is at the opposite end of the spectrum from a Sam's or a Binny's. They are a boutique shop. They don't have every wine that you are looking for, but they know something about every wine that they have. One of the things I like about the store is that they organize their wines by varietal, rather than by region. So if you're looking for a Cabernet, for example, you don't have to go to the French aisle to see the French cabs and then the California aisle to see the California cabs -- you can just compare all the cabs together. They tend to focus on New World (i.e. not European) wines, and carry some brands that might surprise you. For example, they are offering a field trip to one of their suppliers, Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Illinois. They do carry European wines, but their focus is on wine producers who are going in new directions. At the same time, they are committed to keeping at least half of their stock in the under $20 range, so trying something new isn't a huge risk. Right now, I'm only giving In Fine Spirits 4 stars because I don't know them that well. But I like what I've seen, so that fifth star is a distinct possibility. read more

In Fine Spirits - a storefront on a city street - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Flatbread. OH. FLATBREAD! Thin crispy cracker like bread topped with creamy farmer's cheese, spiced apples, arugula and truffle oil. So delicious. But warning: small. If splitting one maybe get a couple or be prepared to fight over the crumbs. I could have eaten ten of these on my own. It was that awesome. The cheese selection was far out. Such amazing choices. It's damn near impossible to narrow it down. Luckily you can choose 3 or more per order. Yahoo! And of course--the wines. Wine flights and some other liquors as well. Right now I believe there was a bourbon flight. It's not my cup of tea (too strong!) but I know MANY people who would love a good bourbon flight. I had a glass of a nice white and it was perfect with my flatbread. MMM flatbread. Did I mention it was good? Cos it was! The space isn't huge but there' lots of bar seating. Lovely mellow vibe. Really attentive and helpful staff can assist you in choosing some beverage and cheeses if you're feeling overwhelmed. And with 60+ wine choices you may need a little assistance! read more

Fantastic addition to the 'hood. Lots o' tastings. Now that they've opened the wine bar next door, I come here a LOT more. What? You're shocked that I buy wine a lot? You don't know me. ;-) I feel like I'm cheating on Andersonville Wines and Spirits when I go here. I still like those guys, but this one is the sexy newcomer to the 'hood still. read more

I'm very surprised that I haven't written a review yet! IFS is that amazing blend of cozy neighborhood shop and fantastic wine collection that every town should have. Jarran and his team are amazing- knowledgable, helpful, and kind. No matter what type of wine you are looking for, they will have something that matches your palate. They also carry a small but high quality beer selection and a great liquor selection. Do not come here for what I call "supermarket wine". They don't carry the big producers and famous name brands. All their wineries are small production, family owned, super high quality wines. However that doesn't mean they are all expensive- there are two tables on the floor of the store (vs on the shelves along the walls) that are all VERY reasonable- I think they are all $12 or under. Some real gems there. IFS makes Andersonville that much better a place to live- cheers! read more

Horrible, Horrible experience. I live in the neighborhood and hope they move! So I had been to their place a time or two and had a decent enough of an experience - nothing to yelp about!. One night I caught a later dinner at a BYOB with a few friends around the corner. I ran over there to grab a couple bottles of red as they were closing. The door was still unlocked! I stepped in - asked for some help, and the person at the counter said "We're closed". I said - "Hey I am eating at a BYOB place around the corner - can I just buy two bottles quickly?" He said "No - go to the discount wine store down the street"! Then he waves his hand in the direction of the door! First of all the "discount wine store down the street" is Andersonville Wine & Spirits and they are great. Service is awesome with a great wine and beer selection. B. Don't ever close the door on a patron 2 seconds after closing because you feel lazy! Thirdly. Don't bash another neighborhood joint - that's just not cool! They may have good wines and decent tastings...but get over yourself. read more

Another great addition to Andersonville. I've been into quite a few wine shops were the staff is snobby and the prices were sickening; it's quite the opposite here. The staff is very warm and knowledgeable, the selection and prices are fantastic. What's really nice is that they are open at 11 on Saturdays....that's right professional drinker here, I start early...j/k. Be on the lookout they have wines tasting too. Next stop will be to check out the actual wine bar next door which they also own.....smart people. Cheers! read more

Hello, 200. Frankly, though, this is a place I should've reviewed a long, long time ago... First and foremost, the folks at IFS care about what they sell and truly know their product. They also want you to know about what they sell, but not in a stuck-up way. Have questions? Don't hesitate to ask! Everyone there is extremely helpful, approachable, and happy to help out. I love that I can always count on someone to point me in the right direction when I'm feeling clueless or need some suggestions. One staff member even went into the basement to retrieve a special bottle of Templeton Rye just for me. That made my day. Second, everything in the store is of quality. So, while your wallet will be disappointed in the lack of $3 wines, your tongue will be dazzled when it gets a taste of your fantastic purchase. Still, there are reasonably priced wines (the sign on the table says so) to be found, so don't despair completely. You can easily find something to keep that wallet content. The store has free tastings every other Saturday, usually wine, and recently on the first Friday of every month, often craft brews or spirits or some sort. Free! Like the products carried in the store, everything is delicious and you can almost always count on a good story to go with it. Go here and go often. I'll see you in the back, near the Templeton or enjoying a sampling. read more

This review is for the Wine Bar. Hello cask-conditioned beer! Yum! There's only one cask conditioned beer available at any given time - and plenty of other 'normal' beers on tap and available in the bottle. The true gem of the restaurant is its extensive wine list, of which I did not partake this visit. Seating is open - you are not seated, you seat yourself. While this obviates the need for a host or hostess, but can be confusing when you are trying to locate additional seats for your table. Or when all of the servers are running around and you enter the business for the first time. The joint is also loud as hell - don't go on a weekend night expecting an intimate wine bar experience. I commend them on having a few 'artisan' cheeses on their list, but I'd urge them to develop the list a little more completely. A wine bar is a great place to have a complex and interesting cheese list. Seems like an opportunity lost. read more

This is one of my favorite independent wine stores in the city. Not only is the staff approachable and knowledgeable, but also extremely helpful. I always know I will get a pleasing wine for both my palette and wallet. The owners know how to pick fantastic wines from $9 to $90, while circulating different wines into the mix regularly and keeping around some of the customers' favorites. A couple times a month, there are wine tastings too. Do I need to say anymore?!? read more

For those of you who are unaware, In Fine Spirits has two businesses in Chicago. One is a wine shop and the other is a wine bar. This review is for the wine shop. A couple years ago I used to live in Andersonville. I happened upon this little wine shop and I've been coming back ever since. I can't say every bottle I've ever had here has been amazing, but I'm sure 99.99999% of the time I am impressed! From table wines in the $15 range too impressive $$$ Pinot Noirs (my favorite) this place truly knocks my socks off! I've been to other wine shops all around Chicago (wine slut) and even though I live in Logan Square I come here to stock up on wine. The service here is grand. I tend to like to pair my wine with specific meals and the staff has always been really helpful and never makes me feel like I'm a cheap ass if I'm looking for a bottle on a budget. I buy all kinds of bottles here and if I had a higher salary I'm sure I'd buy more bottles in the upper range. I do buy my holiday gifts here because I like to give wine and spirits to friends and co-workers. It's an odd custom Americans bring wine to parties because I read that it's an insult in France, taken that you don't think the host will have a good bottle there to drink. I personally believe anyone who brings wine to my house is welcome, but anyone who brings wine from In Fine Spirits is more than welcome. Looking forward to possibly moving back to Andersonville so I can stop in more often and I'm certainly going to make an effort to make it to the wine bar soon. read more

I have such a crush on this place. I went the first time, and then again within the week. Pretty sure it'd be a bad, bad thing if I lived around the corner. The house flatbread almost killed me, it's so delicious. Same with the cheese plate -- especially the ricotta with truffle and honey and the persian feta. And I agree with my pal Betsy, the French 75 is to. die. for. If I don't learn to make it, I really will be back here every night. Everything about the place makes you want to hang out for a good long while. The design is gorgeous but still laid back. The music's not trying too hard or shouting too loud. And the host is as friendly as can be. Love that guy. Their wine shop is phenomenal, too. What more could you want? read more

I've not been to the lounge area but I have been in the wine shop and must say I was impressed and overwhelmed by all of the wine bottles in such a small place. I found a great bottle of Riesling (my fav!) for under $10 and it was really, really good. Not to sweet and not to dry. I would have to say it's my new go to wine and at under $10 I'm just fine with that! The day that I stopped in they were having a wine tasting in the back half of the store. Come early because it fills up quickly. They had several different wines in different prices to sample. The man doing the tasting seemed very knowledgeable about the wines but he seemed to lack enthusiasm and therefore didn't hold my attention for long. What with free wine to be had? Yes that's right I walked away. I wandered along the store looking at all the pricey wines and then made my way to the tables in the middle that hold the less expensive wines. They have a table for red wines and a table for white wines. This is were I found my new found friend. I'm just glad this place isn't super close to my house because I would go broke! read more

This was possibly the least intimate wine bar that I have ever been to. I just never really felt comfortable in the space. Granted, this review would have been better if we had managed to grab a table on the patio. Sadly, we were stuck inside. The decor felt cheap and thrown together in a haphazard way. The lights were super bright, and were adjusted several times throughout the night, first lower, then higher, then lower, and then higher. Come on, pick a setting and stick with it. The service was weird too. Our server, who was friendly, was also running around not really being attentive to any of the inside tables. (I noticed the tables on either side of us looking for her too.) Anyway, we had to share a menu because they were short. We got the food menu about 10 minutes after the wine menu. We had to ask a few times for small plates, napkins and cutlery. And we went for long stretches without seeing her. Also, the guys clearing the dishes were like vultures. As soon as I set down an empty glass, they swarmed. I guess they were short on those too. As for the wine, I was also under-whelmed. I ordered a tasting flight of vinho verde, picpoul de pinet, and torrontes (all wines I like and am familiar with). Anyway, the wines all tasted off - I know that they're part of a flight, so they've probably been sitting uncorked, but these wines tasted like they had been open for a while. So I was sad about that. That said, even though the staff was friendly and the wines were fairly priced I don't know if I would seek this place out again. read more

Great, little store with small but broad assortment of wines. The owner is super friendly & knowledgeable read more

How does this great neighborhood wine shop only have one review? I've done things like call this place and ask for a good white to go with Indie Cafe (the lady suggested a Viognier, which ended up being perfect) and had them chill it for me for a couple hours, and they did it without batting an eyelash. The proprietors are always ready to chat wine in a low-key, unpretentious way, and their selections are often surprising and fun--I have yet to find a Kerner at another wine shop, even the big boys down on the diagonal streets. One of the many reasons I miss being in Uptown (yes I know this place is in A-ville). read more

This is an awesome neighborhood wine boutique. I think they've been open almost three years - surprised to find I hadn't already reviewed them! Shane, Michael and Curt are about the most knowledgeable and helpful people you could hope for when shopping for wine, spirits or beers - they have guided me to selections that were perfect matches for what I was looking for at the time, most of the time under the $20 price point. Check out their selection of off-the-map spirits, like Templeton's Rye. They also opened a walk-in beer cooler this summer with some awesome craft brews! I think they have tastings nearly every Saturday afternoon. Yes, there is something huge going on next door - check out the sign. Looks like a wine bar will be opening shortly! read more

I've loved this place since it opened, whined when its adjoining bar / restaurant closed, but still stroll in regularly for their excellent selection of lower-priced whites and reds. Two bonuses: frequent, impromptu tastings offered by the staff, and that they buy their own barrel of Buffalo Trace. Why this place over others? Because I'm classy and loyal to my neighborhood and also like to be drunk. If you're all or any of those things, visit In Fine Spirits. read more

The wine shop is - fine. If you drink wine regularly, you will be bored with the selection. Staff is a pleasure to chat with, and offer good suggestions after a few visits. The wine bar was less than exciting for us. All wine by the glass were low end and over priced. Service was more interested in their own conversation than assisting with our selection. Food selection was minimal , too cold when it arrived. While I will return to the wine shop, the wine bar did nothing to make me want to come back. read more

I enjoy "In Fine Spirits" and wish they had tons of other locations - it's a cute bar/restaurant/store with a good business model. I especially love sitting out on the patio during warmer days and having a great bottle of wine or a unique beer. The staff is very knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and friendly. I especially enjoy that they have flat and sparkling water. It's a simple thing - but it really makes a difference. A few things have made me knock it down 2 stars: - They used to have wine flights. As of yesterday, this is no more. A definite disappointment. - No decanters. I know, I know. But really? If you are a wine restaurant/shop, you've gotta have decanters on hand - especially for $50 bottles of wine (that you can buy next door for $15...). - The food is hit or miss. And it can be expensive. Lowering the cost of small plates would really encourage me to come back more often...and you would make a lot more money on wine/beer that way. I will more than happily raise this review to 5 stars and come back often with friends if: 1. flights are reintroduced 2. food is a little cheaper - with emphasis on making money on liquor 3. decanters - decanters - decanters read more

Lots of great things to choose from, and the staff was really nice and helpful. They have a helpful staff, and the guy who helped me was eager to point out other things to me once I told him what kind of wine I typically like. They keep a database of what you purchase in case yo can't remember, so that's awesome too. I'm sure I'll be back, and may have to visit the lounge or on a day when there's a tasting. read more

What a lovely little bar! Had I known there was a patio, I'd have been all over that, but alas, we stayed to the indoors. Very accessibly via the Clark bus, it's a great addition to Andersonville. I know very little about wine (aside from the fact that I really like it!), so I pick very randomly when ordering wine. I enjoyed a lovely Coques du Rhone, and a flight of the sparkling wines. i feel that the pricing is reasonable, and the various flight options provide a good opportunity to try out something you might not have tried. I'd have liked a bit more guidance, but in the server's defense, I didn't really solicit it. So that's a silly thing for me to say. In any event, the service was fine, the wine was tasty, and I'd like to go back again to check out the patio. read more

Top-notch neighborhood wine store that is so much more. Great beer selection (ask about the chill room in the basement) and cool liquors. Amazing service with great weekly tasting sessions. You can walk in for a quick bottle and end up staying for an hour. read more

Great selection, informative tastings, welcoming staff and reasonable prices! Currently, they're carrying an updated and interesting collection of seasonal wines [sparkling cranberry and apple from Montréal]. They also carry Big Shoulder Coffee. read more

I'm a sucker for a good cocktail list that features classic cocktails. In Fine Spirits certainly impressed me. The cocktail list was extensive and featured a wide variety of classics from the Moscow Mule (sadly not served in a copper mug) to the Negroni. I went with the waiters recommendation and started with the Angostura Sour which was the perfect way to start my night. It really wasn't as bitter as I was expecting and is something I'm going to try to recreate at home. I can't remember what my second cocktail was called, but it had Rowans Creek Bourbon and a bunch of other liqueurs in it. It was potent and tasty. I was brave enough to go for a third cocktail and tried the Dark and Stormy, another winner. It's refreshing to see a place executing classic cocktails that use fresh ingredients and local liqueurs. The food was also really good. The lamb flat bread was light and crisp and the mussels had a Thai twist to them. This is a great spot to spend the night out if you don't mind paying $10-14 for a cocktail . They have a good wine and beer selection for those who are into into cocktails and you can pick up the ingredients for your own cocktail night at the shop next door. read more

I was never really into wine and able to describe it, but after buying one bottle at the In Fine Spirits, Michael was able to reccommend some more based on my feedback. Bottles and Bottles later, still going back. From tastings to great service at very reasonable pricing, In Fine Spirits is the place to go. Michael gave a sneak peak of the Wine Bar going in next door as they expand, it will be a great addition to Andersonville. Can't wait for winter for it to open, I'm sure they will do it right. read more

What they lack in variety, they make up for in service! It's a small shop, they can't carry everything and they're far more specialty than a big box wine store. The staff is always very helpful. I tend to visit here when I'm on my way to a nice BYO and need a little guidance. There's never any high pressure to spend a lot on a pricey bottle. I do like the fact that they have two table right in the middle of wines under $12. I'd say there are at least 25 reds and 25 whites just on those tables. I've bought some real winners under $12. Go. Support a small, local business. read more

Large wine/beer/spirits selection, itty bitty portions of appetizer foods. This is NOT the place to come for a light dinner accompanied by spirits - which makes me wonder why it was packed at dinner time. We left hungry and with too much wine in our systems. read more

Cute little place! They have quite an extensive wine list... and some interesting unique specialty cocktails... mostly the specialty drinks seemed to include Gin... and I am not a gin drinker. It is not really big, but it was packed! It was a little loud with the crowd, and hard to hear, but the atmosphere is great and nice with a group of people. Service was decent. And it was probably the cleanest bathroom in a bar / restaurant that I have ever seen. I didn't try the food. The waitress was real good about offereing her recommendations ... however, we were not a big fan of our selections.... as my friend put it best - her 'Pimm' (supposedly the trendy drink of the moment because it is served at Wimbledon ??? who knows ) - tasted like PICKLE JUICE! hahaha... I didn't care for my specialty drink either - it was a Brazilian drink that sounded similar to a mojito... but tasted nothing even remotely close. In fact, the girl at the table next to us was telling me how great it was...(very syrupy sugary sweet)... and she even only drank 1/2 of hers, so how good really was it???? Anyway, I am sure if you stick with Wine, it is definitely a safe bet. It was a great place! ** The water is Fabulous!!! read more

Whoa, last night was quite a let down at In Fine Spirits! I've normally enjoyed both food and drink here, but my experience last night was just not up to par. It was extra unfortunate because my girlfriend and I brought a friend who had never been before and we have been raving about this place to him for a while now. I do want to be clear that service was not an issue last night because we had an apologetic server. And our drinks were acceptable. However, I ended up being let down by the following: 1. The mushroom crepe I ordered, which was pan fried or something and therefore crispy, not soft at all. 2. The side of beans and "farm egg" that came as a side to the pork sandwich my girlfriend ordered. The beans were so incredibly undercooked that we asked if they could be cooked longer. After waiting a long time for them to come back out, they were just as firm and were topped with the same egg as they came with--by that time, the yolk was completely cooked and the poor little side looked absolutely pitiful (and the hardness of the beans was too much to get past). That was taken off the bill ($5) and our server brought us one of the dessert items for free. It was decent, but we really wanted to order the chocolate mousse torte...so we did. 3. The chocolate mousse torte has been on the menu for a long time and my girlfriend and I have had it a few times. The piece brought out to us last night tasted good, but the texture was completely off. It must have needed to have been more at room temperature, because it was hard and as a result, the chocolate part was separating from the pecan crust whenever we took a bite. In the end, the three of us had some very mediocre food that was too expensive given the quality of what we got last night. I really hope this isn't an indication of what's to be expected here from now on. I'm definitely hesitant to return for anything other than a cocktail. read more

The food is good--not great. I guess not just good--kinda somewhere between good and great. Maybe--pretty good? The cheese is list is small and focused. But the wine list is really why you go here, isnt it? Its got it all. Pretty solid glass pours--I like when almost everything is by the glass. They still have a good program. The water is wicked great. Is that weird? i am picky. There water is great. Go here. read more

This is a great shop! We go regularly, and love their selections; they have excellent budget options, as well as delicious higher-end selections for wine, beer, and spirits. We rarely go anywhere else for wine, and they're our go-to shop for bourbon and gin as well. The knowledgable staff opened our eyes to the wonders of good tonic water (soooo worth it!), and they're always up for giving you a taste of an open bottle if you want to compare whiskeys, for example, so you know which one is the best choice for you. Best of all, they're friendly--it's great to have them in the neighborhood! read more

A lot of small producers and terroir driven selections. This is a place to go and get a good bottle of wine from interesting wine regions from around the world. You can spend your money confidently here. Cheers! read more

Pretty small selection of wine and it seems limited to wines from California and Australia but don't worry, no Yellow Tail. If you are looking for the best Burgandy or Bordeaux, this probably isn't the place to go. Small place and not a big selection but helpful and they also have some decent beers-beers which wine lovers might also enjoy (AKA not Miller LIte). Some of the guys there seem to know something about wine, the others, not so much. They seem to always have the same music playing which I have on my Ipod which seems a bit creepy. Not many people listen to Modest Mouse and Run DMC but sure enough, that's what I heard. The good news is that they are right there in Andersonville, affordable and have opened a wine bar next door though I have yet to go there. Wine bars are weird in that you end up paying $7 a glass from a $7 bottle of wine. I am not saying that is what happens here but I would rather buy a good wine and just take it home. read more

I've been coming here for several years now and I have always found the staff both friendly and knowledgeable. They remember who I am and what I like in wines. What more can one ask? I trust their palates. It is also a very cool place to wait for your late pizza from Great Lake. They have very good pizzas. Which are worth the wait. Marc read more

In Fine Spirits is one of those local businesses that I just love supporting. Jarran and his team are great, welcoming and knowledgeable. Whether I'm popping in there to restock my home supply or to bring something special to a dinner party, I always walk out of there with something delicious. In particular, I really appreciate their broad selection of wines at varying price points, as well as their bourbons. Great place and highly recommended! read more

This place was fantastic! I can't wait to go back. I had driven by for years without ever thinking of stopping in. Luckily my friend had a Groupon and asked me to meet her.Tucked in behind this cute little wine bar is a fantastic beer garden. They seem to have deals every night of the week. Tuesday was half price wine. Yea! Unfortunately their deals didn't apply to people with Groupons which is BS but hopefully I'll take advantage of them next time I'm there. Another minus was that the bottle we originally ordered was out. read more

In Fine Spirits is a quaint wine store, featuring affordable but high-quality wines, beers and spirits. The staff is not only friendly, but extremely knowledgeable of their products and will assist you fine that perfect purchase based on your tastes, preferences and budget. In addition, they frequently have a few bottles open for tasting in the store. Once you've finished replenishing your wine rack or wine cooler, head over next door to their other business (also called In Fine Spirits) where there is a bar and chill loungy seating for you to indulge in a libation or something from their light food menu. read more

The knowledgeable and great wine/beer variety make this my go-to liquor store. It's affordable too! Today I popped in for the perfect white wine for a hot Sunday night, and not only did I find several for under $10, but they had the two bottles I liked, both chilled and ready to go. Don't buy your stuff at Dominick's! They don't care about you like In Fine Spirits does. read more