Liquor store versus bar

A bar sells a pour, a seat, and a moment. A liquor store sells a bottle to leave with. Cocktail bars may have rare bottles they will not sell to-go. Package stores may have prices a bar cannot match. If you want to try one cocktail, go sit down. If you want a bottle for a recipe or a shelf, go shopping. “Wine bar” is a third thing: usually glasses, sometimes retail. Chicago listings on this site come from city business licenses. That tells you the city recognized a tavern, restaurant, or package-goods shop — not whether the Old Fashioned is any good. Claim the page if you own it and want the details right.