August 31, 2022 — There are a bevy of local options for imbibers to shop booze to-go from boutique purveyors in Philadelphia and beyond. From South Philly to Phoenixville, Art in the Age, The Bottle Shop on East Passyunk, Jet Wine Bar, Rex at The Royal, New Liberty Distillery, Bluebird Distilling, and Char & Stave offer up a stellar selection of spirits, wine, beer, and more, proving to be must-stops ahead of BYO-dining, special occasions, or just a regular (boozy) Tuesday.
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Art in the Age, Philadelphia’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply, and bottle shop, stocks a mix of local spirits, including Kinsey Bourbon from New Liberty Distillery, original Art in the Age products, such as the Art in the Age Black Trumpet Blueberry Cordial, unique and limited releases from sister distillery, Tamworth Distilling, including the viral Crab Trapper Whiskey, Eau de Music and Deerslayer Venison Whiskey, plus non-alcoholic spirits such as The Pathfinder Hemp and Root. Aspiring home bartenders can find every accessory needed to DIY cocktails from the comfort of home, including all the spirits, bar tools, mixers, over 150 types of bitters, glassware, and cocktail books and cookbooks suitable for any range of expertise — all available to shop in-person or ship across the state of Pennsylvania. Resident experts at Art in the Age are ready to guide visitors through a perfect cocktail-making experience that is ideal for any skill level.
Hours of operation are 12 – 7pm Tuesday through Thursday, 12 – 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 – 6pm Sunday
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East Passyunk Avenue is home to more than 160 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia including The Bottle Shop, a neighborhood favorite (recently included in The Philadelphia Inquirer as one the best bottle shops in Philly),that boasts a broad collection of craft, imported, microbrew, and domestic beer. The Bottle Shop is home to over 500 beers from around the world, including a bevy of ciders and gluten-free options. Beer enthusiasts can mix-and-match 6-packs, or fill up on a growler from six rotating taps that include limited releases and brew-tiful seasonal selections.
Hours of operation are 1 – 9pm Monday through Wednesday, 1 – 10pm on Thursday, 12 – 10pm Friday through Saturday, 12 – 9pm on Sunday
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Jet Wine Bar, Philadelphia’s “global vineyard,” asks folks to think globally and drink locally. Jet is home to a diverse selection of wines from far-flung locales including Santorini, Cilicia, Imereti, Morocco, Iraq, South Africa, and beyond that are curated by owner, Dr. Jill Weber, an archeologist whose studies have taken her all over the globe. Inspired by her travels, Weber showcases a wide selection of wines, including organic, natural, Ancient World, and unusual varieties that are sure to dazzle the taste buds of any oenophile. Located directly on South Street, Jet Wine Bar is easily accessible to grab a unique bottle of wine on-the-go.
Hours of operation are 5 – 10pm Wednesday through Thursday, 5 – 11pm Friday, 2 – 11pm on Saturday, 12 – 6pm on Sunday
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Rex at The Royal, Philadelphia’s home for elevated Lowcountry fare housed in the historic and newly rejuvenated Royal Theater, is South Street’s newest bottle shop that boasts a robust menu of popular New World wines as well as beer sourced from local purveyors such as Conshohocken Brewing, Neshaminy Creek Brewing, Two Locals, and more. The bottle shop is open from 9am – 10pm Tuesday through Thursday, 9am – 11pm Friday and Saturday, and 9am – 10pm on Sundays, perfect for picking up a variety of drinks from a bottle of red wine from the Rhône Valley, a hazy IPA from a local brewery, and more while dining at Rex at The Royal, on-the-go, or at home. Imbibers can also enjoy rotating wine and beer specials, as well as discounts on seasonal favorites for walk-out service.
Retail hours of operation are 9am – 10pm Tuesday through Thursday, 9am – 11pm Friday and Saturday, 9am – 10pm Sunday
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New Liberty Distillery, the South Kensington craft distillery home to award-winning spirit lines such as the revived heritage Kinsey brand, produces spirits inspired by Pennsylvania’s rich history in rye whiskey development that draw on local ingredients and displays the skills of Founder, CEO, and Master Distiller of New Liberty Distillery, Robert Cassell. Philadelphians can try New Liberty Distillery’s whiskeys and bourbons, including the brand-new Bloody Butcher 3-Year Sour Mash Whiskey Bourbon, and the classic Kinsey Bourbon, in addition to ALCO, a line of candy-colored ready-to-drink canned cocktails and much more — All available to shop on-site at New Liberty Distillery, or to ship across the state of Pennsylvania.
Retail hours of operation are 4 – 10pm Thursday, 4 – 11pm Friday, 2 – 11pm Saturday, 1 – 6pm Sunday
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Bluebird Distilling, Phoenixville’s award-winning grain-to-glass craft distillery, offers small batch spirits created on-site in a state-of-the-art hybrid copper still, including the distillery’s signature Four Grain Bourbon, American Wheat Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, and additional craft spirits such as Juniperus Gin, Bluebird Vodka, Dark Rum, and Blueberry Brandy, which are all available in-store or shipped across the state of Pennsylvania. Imbibers can sample these spirits with a one-of-a-kind cocktail experience at the Phoenixville tasting room, in addition to checking out Bluebird Distilling’s exclusive line of merchandise including branded shirts, glasses, flasks, and more. Bottle shop hours are 1 – 11pm every day.
Retail hours of operation are 1 – 11pm daily
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Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s brand-new sister store located in Ardmore, is a full-service café by day, cocktail bar at night, and the area’s newest bottle shop where imbibers can purchase a bevy of spirits from sister distillery Bluebird Distilling, including Four Grain Bourbon, White Rye Whiskey, Phoenixville Whiskey, Juniperus Gin, and more, that make a perfect addition to any bar cart. Guests can also choose from eight varieties of house-roasted beans to take to-go, such as Char & Stave’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee Beans, ideal for brewing a cup of morning joe or crafting a buzz-worthy cocktail inspired by Char & Stave’s offerings, like the Ardmore Old Fashioned or the Phoenixville Manhattan. Additionally, Char & Stave carries an expansive line of merchandise including t-shirts, rocks glasses, snifters, and Four Grain Bourbon flasks.
Hours of operation are 7am – 10pm Monday through Tuesday, 7am – 11pm Wednesday through Thursday, 7am – 12am Friday, 8am – 12am Saturday, 8am – 11pm Sunday
-Hannah Church
