Sam’s Wines & Spirits

They did actually have a sale for about a week before they closed, but there wasn’t a whole lot of warning.
I loved this store for about two months before it closed. Plentiful beer selection, loads of wine & liquor as well. I haven’t made it out to the other sam’s locations, but this one will definitely be missed.

sigh… Its too bad this location closed. This was one of my most favorite wine shop of all time. My fiancé and I really got acquanted there when we first started dating as we explored the wide wine selection and purchased a variety of cheese to compliment our drinks.
The Sam’s in the northside is great; without question. But the Loop shop was much more convienant for out of town visitors.

Well they closed down without much notice — and not much of an effort to convert customers over to their other stores. No sales, not much marketting just a few signs that they will be gone after two years…

I honestly don’t care that much about Sam’s one way or the other. I only went there because it was down the street from my old place. FYI: I hear they’re closing Aug. 9^th, permanently. The huge selection of alcohol was great, but I went there with my boyfriend and some friends to enjoy drinks, hang out, and have a snack (they offer cheeses & meats). I wasn’t impressed with the meats & cheeses they selected for us. Also, it was super annoying that they wouldn’t let us pick our own meat & cheese. They made us leave after we put in an order for the size we wanted. I’m just glad I wasn’t paying. With my IBS, not only was I not allowed to choose the cheese & meat, but I couldn’t eat any of it either. I would’ve been more annoyed had I been the one paying, which is why we never did that again. I won’t miss the drunkards or the people who would nearly run you over turning into the parking lot.

If you’re looking for a great wine selection and decent prices (with frequent sales), Sam’s is definitely the place to come. Their little food selection is great too. I haven’t done a tasting here, but it looks nice and maybe I will in the summer.
If you’re looking for beer — the selection is good, but price-​wise, you’re way better off going to Binny’s or even the Jewel across the street. Same for hard liquor (unless you’re looking for something really rare or specific).

Maybe I came in here on an off day (even though it was a Wednesday afternoon) but this place was a total mess. Why were there boxes all over the place? Besides that, I got really excited when I saw all the great cheese options and– if you can believe it– FOIE GRAS! Yeeaahhhhhh I was really happy to have found some until I realized it was only mousse of foie gras. Either way, I bought some and my boyfriend grabbed a bottle of Spanish red wine. It was a little hard to get some help– it seemed like all the people working here were a little too busy even though the store was empty?
When we got home, we tried opening the wine bottle only to have the cork shatter and make the wine explode all over my kitchen (the cork was dry). We tried the foie gras only to find it was just mediocre. I am willing to give this place another try in due time. Hopefully they won’t be as disappointing next time!

I recently got a coupon in the mail as result of my spending habits at the lovely Sam’s Wine and Spirits. What gets me is their damn wine tasting events. No matter what, every time I find «my favorite» wine and just HAVE to have not one, but 2 – 3 bottles. On top of it, Sam’s has to be running a sale that I just can’t pass up. The bottom level of the store is entirely devoted to wine, as well as ½ of the 1^st level. The 1^st level also includes a bar, so if there is not wine tasting event, grab a beer while you shop. Like to relax with your brewsky? Then take a seat at the bar or one of their many couches and enjoy!

An insult to the neighborhood with floor-​to-​ceiling bars in every window.
Why take a landmark building and disgrace it like this?
If you think the South Loop is so unsafe, go somewhere else.

I like this place a lot! Great selection of wines & spirits I must say! They have a bar inside of this place so if you wanna sit and enjoy your newly purchased bottle of wine feel free to do so here. The staff is pretty hip and cool and are usually very helpful. Its located in a great area and has parking in the back. Their wine selection is very diverse as they have different brands from all over the world.
They usually have tastings here. I went to their New Zealand wine tasting this past summer and it was great. Not only did I stumble out of the place, but I also purchased three bottles of wine (one of them was terrible, so I must have been drunk to think it tasted great and then purchase it.
If you are in the south loop and want to find some hard to find alcohol or want to stop somewhere and have a drink, this is the place to check out!

I have been in here a few times as it is on my way home.
And aside from there cheese selection I am super disappointed in my experience.
I am in the Wine Industry and do not expect every one to be total wine nerds, esp at big stores like this (Cause it is more like a fancy pants grocery store) but they should know basic things like what a sommelier is.
Also I was served a glass of wine with an eye lash in it a few months back and when I asked to have it replaced the kid tried to charge me for the new glass.
And you have to hunt down the staff for any service which is shocking cause it is never packed and there is always at least 10 people there.

I am giving props to Sam’s for having this extremely difficult to find beer — Double Dragon Ale, a Welsh beer. This beer came up when I was having fish n chips at Dressel’s in St. Louis a few months back. My friend’s gf was telling me that Dressel’s doesn’t serve Double Dragon anymore and she would love to get her hands on some. I told her I would try find it for her. After scouring the internet and different beer forums, Sam’s and Binny’s posted it on their website recently. I went twice to Binny’s and they didn’t have it. So yah to Sam for letting me be the hero for the day. But sorry guys and gals, I bought the last three, and I don’t know when the next shipment will be.
So Sam’s is a great place to start to find a rare beer. But, if you’re looking to buy the familar beers such as Heinys, Coronas, and Blue Moon, going to Dominicks and Jewels is cheaper.

I really, really acutely dislike this place.
Why?
Well, for starters, it’s a corporate hack of a chain.
Second? It’s messy and disorganized. Anyday you come in there, there’s wine in boxes in the middle of the floor.
Third: The staff is generally clueless. They have no idea about any idea about wine. Couldn’t make a decent recommendation to save their lives. Essentially, you’re on your own. This store’s saving grace is that it has a decent, free parking lot, which is a rarity in the South Loop. They also deliver, if you need it.
There’s a decent cheese bar and, honestly, a decent selection of wine and spirits, but nothing that you can’t get from Warehouse Liquors or WineStyles.
Give me small, local and knowledgable any day over big, corporate and clueless. Avoid this spot. Support the local businesses!

I’ve avoided reviewing this place simply because it’s a little embarrassing. For me. Not Sam’s.
They see me coming and smile and say «oh, they’re already here out back».
Which means 1) I’m either that knock-​out remarkable and memorable and downright beautiful or 2) I’m a total groupie and taker-​advantager of their great bar area and here too often.
What other place in the city can you go and pick out your favorite beer, go and enjoy it at NON-​BAR prices in a beautiful high-​profile space with a deli and other nibbly options if you’re so inclined? And then get into heated political arguments with randoms and the great wine-​tender?
I haven’t found where that other place is or I’d be a regular there too.

I dislike this less than the other Sam’s locations, because it’s not a suburban style big box. The layout is a bit confusing – wait, there’s a bunch more wine downstairs? Might want some signage to that effect.
Also, I talked to four people and they couldn’t tell me the correct name for raw sugar (turbinado!). Call me crazy but I’d think to know wine you should know food a bit too…
It was weird – they had like ten people working and I was the only customer on a weekday afternoon, yet I had to practically tackle someone to get help.

Having been frequent patrons of the Sam’s on Marcy St we were excited to see one open in the South Loop… especially with free parking. We were a little dissappointed with the execution of this location. There doesn’t seem to be nearly as many wines as the Marcy St Sam’s and they are not as logically organized. The liquor also does not have as many of the options that were at their other store and are poorly marked… being short I had a hard time seeing the signs that are up and behind the top row for each self so wasn’t able to locate things quite a quick as I would have liked.
They do have a nice atmosphere and really a wide selection… but this does depend on what you are comparing them to as it is not as expansive as their other location. I was also disappointed that they didn’t have lemons which I need for the drinks I was making… thus requiring a second stop at Jewel.
It is a nice addition to the neighborhood and while I will go back, I wouldn’t give it 5 stars.

Before having been to Sam’s, my exposure to alcohol stores has been restricted to Binny’s and Jewel. When this place first opened up in the South Loop, I told my friends the place was two floors, and they couldn’t even believe it was even half of the first floor. The store is just amazing with just an overwhelming amount and variety of booze.
I only wish the prices were a bit more affordable with similar items going for a lot cheaper at Jewel. I know they have a variety of alcohol from around the world, but I also wish they had even more liquor that’s even more exotic, so I wouldn’t have to go to K-​town for soju, or Chinatown for baijiu. Anyhow, still big props. I love this place.

Yeah this place rocks the house. I love the diverse selection of wines. There are plenty of deals to be had and the Wine help desk is not snotty– they will tell you if a $ 10 bottle of wine is good and not try to upsell you. I always try to buy new wines, and I got out of there with 4 bottles for $ 60. Not bad, considering I drop that on one bottle when I’m out. I joined the wine club card and get a discount on every purchase. That takes the sting out of it.
A whole floor of California and Champagnes. Outstanding. Accompaniments like tapinade, crackers, cheeses– it’s a one stop shop for having people over for a few glasses of wine.
I wish there were more reviews over the wines there, but for convenience and selection, it’s awesome.

*****Five Stars!
+ Two floors of liquor, wine, beer and snacks.
+ Great wine selections from all over the world.
+ They even have a small selection of sake on the lower level.
+ Enjoy yourself at the wine bar on the first level.
+ Free Parking.
We bought a bottle of champagne and some plum wine here…
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sam’s has arrived!
With an in-​store wine bar, a staffed cheese counter, some aisles of snacks, free parking, and TWO FLOORS of tasty wine, beer, and liquor, life in the South Loop just got better.
Our first time in, we asked the knowledgeable staff guy for bourbon recommendations and he knew his stuff, pointing to obscure bottles and chatting up the «rye notes.» A week later, we asked about what scotch to get the in-​laws, and the same guy again dazzled us with his knowledge of Gaelic and «mossy nose.» AND he brought us samples of the stuff he recommended.
Dude. These guys know booze.

They carry Wittekerke. A first for the southside. Thank you!
Minus 1 star for not carrying Pitu Cachaca.
Plus 1 star for free parking
Minus 1 star for security following me around the store.