Word in via email from an attorney with the City of Chicago Local Liquor Commission - our Plan of Operations for Drinks Over Dearborn has been approved!  WE'RE GOING TO OPEN!

They're calling with details tomorrow, so we'll get a better idea of what the next steps are, but we're hoping to be 100% open with delivery, online, etc within the next 30 days.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us get this far - we're one HUGE step closer!

The word from the city is in - we will be reviewed for our liquor license appeal sometime in the next 24 hours.

As of this morning, we're still in a stalemate with one neighboring building over closing time.  They would like us to close at 8 PM, a full hour earlier than anyone else in the industry.  I agreed to move up to 9 PM, but I can't give in that last hour and chop off our leg before the marathon begins.

So, cross your fingers, toes, and any other phlanges you may have that don't come out in polite company.  We may be ready to go very, very soon!

I met with the three people opposing me this afternoon.  It wasn't pretty.  They believe that people waiting in line at the Excalibur/Vision club will want to buzz upstairs, buy a warm $4.00 individual Belgian beer, and proceed to go back and drink it in line.  They also think that when my (in their eyes) crazy idea of selling really fun, high-end beer, wine, and spirits to an upscale clientelle from a second floor space doesn't fare so well, I'll immediately start selling Night Train, plastic pints of gin, and whatever I can do to stay afloat.  Since legally I COULD do that, I can't do more than give them my word on my reputation that I wouldn't.  They don't seem to care about my word.

Long story short, it may be several long months, if at all, before we can open. 

I'm going to be in the corner crying over my lambic, if anyone's looking for me...

On day one alone, the fax machine we had listed for May Lou Eisenhauer was unplugged by the end of the day - I think they know we have support behind us now (the new fax number is for the Liquor Commissions main office; no shutting that one down!)

Check out this great piece about our plight written by Julia Thiel on The Chicago Reader's Food Blog.

If we're able to turn around the position of the Alderman and prove some support from the neighbors, I think we'll win this thing yet!

Keep hope alive!

For you blog lovers out there, I'm going to try and keep HuffPost and The Dish updated with their own separate unique material. 

Check it out at www.huffingtonpost.com/chicago!

So, I got a chance to attend Chicago Beer Society's Curds and Ales II event at Rock Bottom Brewery here in Chicago a week or so ago.

I definitely saw some good stuff, and some really surprising stuff as well!

Check out my piece on it back on the Beer page!

Apparently, a well-organized group of my River North "neighbors" have proceeded to protest Drinks Over Dearborn from opening to our alderman, Brendan Reilly. 

Needless to say, if this bears true, this puts a heartbreakingly jarring halt to our progress, just as we had every other element of the shop ready to go.

If you have time, please take a second to write a note or email in our favor to:

Alderman Brendan Reilly

42nd Ward

311 W. Superior, Suite 212

Chicago, IL 60654

office@reillyforchicago.com

Keep your fingers crossed...

United States Bartenders Guild of Illinois President, Master Mixologist, and good friend Bridget Albert has written Market Fresh Mixology, soon to be in bookstores and Amazon.com.  There is a great review of her book and a video of her preparing a delicious fresh summer cocktail on TimeOut Chicago's website.  Please check it out here:

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/restaurants-bars/44251/market-fresh-mixology

Don't forget to buy her book, soon to be available for online or in-person purchase at Drinks Over Dearborn (open,open,open,open....)

Take a look at some of the progress at http://www.drinksoverdearborn.com

Sorry for the delay - a slow HP repair schedule kept my computer on the outs, but we're back in action!

Our newest "The Boozehounder" newsletter just went out today.  If you haven't signed up for this and our other great mailing lists, please do so at:

http://www.theboozehound.com/contact.html

Thanks to Kerry Hubbard of Troy, OH!

After a looooooooooong weekend of updates, I'm happy to say that the site is back and better than ever (which you must know if you are reading this!)

We still have a few updates to do, including a new round of reviews, and some new picks for Beer, Wine, Spirit, and Bar/tender of the Month, but that will be coming your way this week.

Also, look for another installment of The Boozehounder, our online and email newsletter that should be ready to rock by mid-month.

For those of you asking, Drinks Over Dearborn (my own beer, wine, and spirits boutique that will be the new home of The Boozehound) is well on its way.  I'll post some pictures of the remodeling and updates on this later this week.

It's a busy June ahead, and summer is already slapping us in the face with some great baseball (go Cubs!) and better weather to enjoy libations.  We'll have lots of drink ideas and (to answer popular demand) more recipes to offer in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Oh, did I mention I got engaged a few weeks back too?  Here's Kelli - she's a looker, huh?

If you like what you see here, please tell your friends about The Boozehound, and drop me a note to let me know how we're doing!

Hello fellow beverage enthusiasts!

To answer the call of many, and to exhibit untold amounts of hubris by sharing my throughts and observations with the world, I have entered the world of blogging.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

Keep an eye here for regular updates on my adventures through the deliciously boozy world of beer, wine, spirits, and bartending!