Kimbark Beverage Shoppe

It’s a liquor store, the kind that alcoholics frequent so you know it’s cheap. They have wine sampling on weekends, and a very large wine selection, but no longer stock organic wines (to give you an idea about their customer base).
The beer selection is large, but more expensive than their competitors, unlike their liquor, which is relatively cheap, especially when on sale. It’s not dirty per se inside, but not exactly spotless either.
On a positive note, they’re open until 11 most nights, so the latest place next to Open Produce to buy liquor in Hyde Park.

Solid choice for booze in HP and a long-​standing business in the neighborhood. Added bonus… they are right next door to Harold’s so you can browse for adult beverages while they cook your chicken.
The place can look a bit sketchy after dark but remember that this is the U of C’s neighborhood too and the police are never far away… as in, probably sitting in the parking lot.
As an added bonus, they carded me. Wife was jealous.

Great selection of liquor and beer. I think the wine section could use a little bit of help. But for what they have, there are some decent choices and for a very good price. It is not terribly crowded and they move people through the line quickly.
There is free parking in the Plaza where they are located along with a few options for food such as Harolds and Leona’s and CVS Pharmacy.

Best deals in alcohol in Hyde Park. Always lots of specials, plus you can join their rewards program and get money off once you spend so much. It is always busy, but not crowded (unlike Binnys up the street where it is often a battle just to get in the door and past the huge lines at the registers) and the checkout lines always move quickly. My preferred neighborhood beverage shop for sure.

Excellent selection of craft beers and at decent prices! I am not down this way often, but if I am in Hyde Park and need beer or wine, this will be the place I come to!

It provides a great selection of liquor at a decent price. The staff is helpful and they are always ready for when it gets busy. All things considered, the best part about this place is the music they have on. It positively affects my mood.

Update: Bea is no longer there but the customer service is still amazing. AND they carry Cheladas now so I don’t need to shop for alcohol anywhere else!
Not a bad selection but for the love of God, start carrying Cheladas so I can stop driving to Bridgeport to buy them! Shout out to Bea, who is the «bees knees»!

The local seasonal beer selection here is seriously on-​point for such a small establishment. Upon entering, head straight to the back wall. Cooler furthest to the right is continually stocked with the beer guy’s seasonal picks, and they’ve never failed to impress. To the left are the popular regional year-​rounds (Goose Island’s Sophie, et al), and from there the price point dwindles. Even larger non-​refrigerated selection in the middle aisles.
The liquor selection rivals that of the Binny’s on 53^rd easily, as others have noted, and the variety of tastings they host throughout the week are a nice little surprise here and there. The wine guy does an incredible job of selecting tasty varietals at modest price points and is quite charmismatic, letting loose a commanding and celebratory clap each time he convinces you take a bottle home. Ah, Kimbark.
Additionally, the customer rewards program is a definite upside, assuming you frequent the shop somewhat regularly, and enrolling on your cell gets you $ 5 of your first purchase instantly. UChicago students and faculty should also know that Wednesday is Student’s Day where anyone with a UChicago I.D. can enjoy a 10% discount.

Hands down the best liquor store in the city. Benny’s who? This place always has what I need when I need it. The hours are great and the staff is always friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The best thing about this place is they always have great sales constantly going on. When you don’t want to go out and spend money, Kimbark is the go to place for libations. They will be seeing plenty of me this football season!

I used to swing by here on my way back from campus all the time.
It’s just so, so cheap and Veuve is always on sale.
Awesome.

They always have great prices, especially in comparison to their competitors. They usually have pretty good deals, too. Customer service could be improved, but it’s nothing major.

Been going to Kimbark for years. Probably the best liquor store on the southside of Chicago and easily the best in the Hyde Park area.
One of the best thing about Kimbark is the specials. Almost every week its something new on sale. And given their wide selection of products, you are guaranteed to find something on sale for relatively cheap.
Staff is always super friendly and on weekends they have tastings going on throughout the store. And unlike a lot of places, even during their busier times, they always manage to open all lanes for you to get in and out.

Aldo Rojas of Chant Restaurant tells me that Jonathan from Kimbark helped support the National Veterans Art Museum’s Veterans Day, November 11 2013 opening of a new art show called Esprit De Corps. I appreciate the contributions of community business to the community culture: Thank You.

Okay this place has some pretty good deals and a rewards program for the frequent customers. I think its a great addition to the Hyde park area. It’s pretty popular and so at times it can get crowded. Only once did they run out of an item I was looking for… Which was a bummer. Overall the staff seem friendly and knowledgable about items. Just don’t forget your ID :-)

I’ve been going here for years and it is still my Favorite Place to buy all my needs for great Cocktails!!! The Best! They Have Great Prices, Great Selections and Great Customer Service! and a Reward Membership Card for discounts too!

Selection wise, this place is pretty good. Loads of wine, pretty good beer choices (although coming from Colorado most liquor stores will be found wanting) and decent liquor selection. As far as prices go, pretty standard; if you want any decent beers expect to pay at least $ 10 – 11.
Where this place shines, though, is the music. The ambience overall, really, is quite phenomenal. I’ve never come in to this place when they’re not playing Al Green’s greatest hits on a continuous loop or some other seventies R&B stuff. Now, I know that not too many people choose a liquor store based on the music they play, but in that department, you can’t really beat Kimbark.

Even though there is a not-​too-​far-​away liquor warehouse, this place is way cooler and keeps better hours. If you are going next door to Cedars for dining, then you can swing by here for a little BYOB action. Also, this place is frequented by the elusive cute, overworked, thirsty grad student.

Here is why Kimbark Liquors (as it is sometimes called) rocks!
Thumbs up:
1. Selection of Beer/​Wine/​and other Liquors
2. Tasting hours… they have vendors handing out various booze most Fridays… its fun to taste things before you buy them.
3. It does not feel congested here as opposed to Binny’s…although Binny’s have excellent selection of rare beer.
4. You can order what they do not carry.
5. Nice cigar collection
Thumbs down:
1. I could use a better collection of Belgian ales or porters.

I will tell you this folks: if you are in Hyde Park and need some booze or wine, do not go anywhere else. Not only is this gem of store well stocked its pretty fairly priced too.
Staffed by very friendly staff and a wizard of wine, Mui, you can find everything from Barefoot to Barolo and a little something in between at every price point and varietal. They have excelelnt tasting programs that let you try before you buy and a fabulous craft beer collection that will make your head all hoppy!
The cashiers are fun and friendly and will always point you in the right direction and if their wine director is on duty don’t hesitate to engage him. He will gladly hold your hand and guide you to a palate pleasing pairing for whatever the occaision.
A combo of discount liquor and well rounded offerings with fantastic service = major win.

One of the best liquor stores in the entire city!
I have never had a problem finding any of my favorite spirits here. The staff is great and always willing to help you find what you are looking for. Prices are great and sometimes they have a sale on the items. Great area in the heart of Hyde Park. They usually have tastings near the checkout line, so if the line gets long (and it usually does on Friday evenings) you can have samples of some good stuff!
Whenever I am visiting a friend in Hyde Park, this is my designated stop before the festivities. Sure this place isn’t a Benny’s (which I also love!), but for a mom & pop joint, this more than gets the job done!