Nathan Mandell

Doesn't it look like Kyle McHugh knows something you don't? (Oh, right: he does.)

“The human race has been making deliciously boozy beverages for 7,000 years,” says Kyle McHugh, proprietor of River North’s newest and quirkiest liquor store, Drinks Over Dearborn. Kyle also runs The Boozehound—tagline: “Your Guide to Everything Deliciously Boozy”—where his goal is “to share in and learn as much about these global drinking traditions as [I] can firsthand, and pass [my] experiences and passion for learning along to all those willing to listen.” Kyle McHugh is a man after my own heart; once you’ve entered booze geekdom, the obsession can be all consuming. Fortunately Kyle has created an excellent outlet for his passion.

Kyle worked behind bars all over the country for his entire adult life before branching into booze education through seminars, classes, and events hosted by The Boozehound. Now he’s started his own liquor store. Drinks Over Dearborn celebrated its grand opening on October 27th after a few months delay due to resistance from neighborhood folks concerned about the addition of a liquor store to the sometimes-rowdy nightclub district. However, Drinks Over Dearborn is not your typical liquor store. It’s located on the second floor of 650 N. Dearborn above The Joynt Piano Bar, and patrons must be buzzed in and take an elevator to get in. Once inside, you won’t find the usual suspects—Kyle puts on emphasis on local, organic, and fair trade products. Looking for gluten free beer, kosher wine, or vodka made from fair trade quinoa? Kyle’s got it. He’s made it his mission to run a green business that uses recycled paper goods, conducts tastings in glassware instead of disposal plastic, and sells products that are good for the environment and the community.

The store boasts 100 wines, 100 beers and 50 spirits, all handpicked by Kyle and his staff. Beers are sold as singles, so you can try a brew before committing to a six-pack, or mix-and-match your own assortment—what better way to educate yourself? Kyle’s staffers are passionate and educated about booze, and happy to share their knowledge with customers with “zero pretension.” Regular tastings and classes are held in the cozy store and The Boozehound’s classroom next door. (Check out the calendar on the site to find out what’s happening this week.)  In addition to its amazing selection, the store features artwork by local artists like Maria Isabel Lopera and a lavish “Rare and Luxurious Room,” outfitted with gold drapes, oriental rugs and comfy leather chairs, where you can discover the absolute finest that Drinks Over Dearborn has to offer.

Don’t miss this hidden treasure by—your new favorite drink is waiting.

Drinks Over Dearborn, 650 N. Dearborn St., 2nd Floor; 312-337-WINE, 11a.m.-10p.m. Mon.- Sat., 11a.m.-5p.m. Sun. Want more from Behind the Bar? Follow Bianca on Twitter!