BFROTN – Where to get your libations for BlogHer 09
Hi! I’m Ree, from My Life as a Hotfessional. What’s a Hotfessional?, you may ask. I would tell you that I’m not really sure, since my husband came up with the name. But, I CAN tell you what this Hotfessional does.
I work in Chicago. I live in Michigan. I deal with a bunch of old fuddy-duddy men who vacillate between being arrogant assholes and patronizing pricks. Which means I, on occasion, find it necessary to figure out where cheap liquor can be purchased in the Windy City. Because, seriously, I’m not paying $5.25/bottle for room service beer. And while living three-quarters of my life in a hotel room means I can leave my towels laying around for someone else to pick up, it does NOT mean that I AM Paris Hilton. (Besides, she’s blond, and I’m rarely wearing my blond wig most certainly not.)
Annnnyyyyywayyyyy, the lovely ladies of Room 704 asked me to take a look around the city and see where we all might pick up some cheap alcoholic type beverages and snacks for BlogHer ‘09. Not that BlogHer is all about getting soused, you understand…it’s a place to connect with other bloggers, forge friendships, learn and listen and drink ’til you’re cross-eyed grab some awesome swag. (Or so I’ve heard…this is my first one!)
And because I love me some Room 704 ladies and plan on getting trashed with them toasting their success, I complied and compiled.
See this map? Down there where the green starburst is? That’s the Chicago Sheraton and Towers – THE happening spot on July 23rd, 24th and 25th. I tried to keep the walking distance relatively short – it’s hard carrying all those heavy bottles.
Fox & Obel Food Market – 401 E. Illinois St. #1
Dominick’s Finer Foods – 255 E. Grand Avenue
7-11 (2 locations) – 600 N. McClurg Ct. & 201 E. Ohio Street
Streeterville Food & Liquor – 224 E. Ontario (Note: I’m still trying to verify that this store is a liquor store and not a restaurant…check back for an update.)
Convenient Food Mart – 203 E. Ohio Street
Dalal Food & Liquor, Inc. – 414 N. State Street
White Hen Pantry – 451 N. State Street
Rossi’s Liquors (Note: They are a bar, but they do sell beer and some wines to go – I called and checked) – 412 N. State Street
Uncork It – 393 E. Illinois
A few additional things to remember:
If you buy corked wine, don’t forget the corkscrew! (Unless you’re very talented.) The hotel may charge you an uncorking fee. You can solve this problem by purchasing only boxed wine.
Chicago is still expensive. Sales tax is 10.25% & there seems to be an additional tax on liquor, although I can’t find anything specific. On my latest, ehem, receipt from 7-11, the tax on my $8.99 4 pack of Barefoot Merlot was 1.05 (11.7%).
Cheese & crackers go best with wine; pretzels, chips and nuts with beer. Anything goes with vodka.
I’ll be the one with the auburn hair and green eyes. Make sure you say Hi.
Love, The Hotfessional
20 Responses to “BFROTN – Where to get your libations for BlogHer 09”
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Author: Dawn (aka Kaiser Mommy)
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“unless you’re very talented” I LOVE THIS WOMAN NOW.
And also for this fucking bomb ass list which I will print multiple copies of prior to BlogHer.
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Welcome to the city with the highest sales tax in the land!
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I think I may print this map up and bring it with me…LOL
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This is an EXCELLENT list. And the corkscrew issue is why God started killing off all the cork trees so we can move to screwtops, which are perfectly fine and hella easier to open. Not that I have studied this. Or anything like that.
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There’s drinking at BlogHer?
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Oh God created Ree…. you’re da bomb!
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Y’all are soooooo very welcome! I will be happy to toast each and every one of you – as long as you point me to my room at the end of the night!
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OH CRAP! I WANNA GO SOOOOO BAD! Shit! I’d kill someone I don’t entirely hate, just moderately dislike, to be able to go.
Jealous, jealous, jealous!
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Although 11% sales tax brings me back to the thought that we should solicit someone driving in to buy liquor for us….
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Great list! But I’m thinking that if I fill up one suitcase with liquor I’ll: a) be a very popular girl and b) will have an extra suitcase with which to take home all my swag. Thank you SWA for not charging for luggage!
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And now I know what tattoo I’ll be getting at blogher. Wonder if those little street lines will cover the stretchmarks?
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SUPAH SWEEET! We love you. That is all.
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This is brilliant social work for the common good. This earns you jewels in your crowns, angels, jewels in your crowns.
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MWAH!
Maura – I wonder if the TSA confiscates liquor in checked baggage?
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Super sweet!
I wonder if anyone is driving in from Indiana…
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Now that you have smacked me in the face with the question: Where is your liquor coming from? I may have formulated a little side venture wherein I will bring the liquor in my “happy to haul 4 U” wagon.
I’m bringin swag for some peeps… My Rover will bring ur sauce 2. Let me know… maybe I’ll set up a paypal for liquor transport across state lines. Is that legal?
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[...] have vital information for what will make your stay in downtown Chicago even better. Not *just* Ree’s booze map, but it will be there [...]
How awesome! LOVE this.
Kas
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