I was about to post this in the Hithchiker's section as people kept talking about places where they could buy some brews, but it started to feel a tad off topic and I figured people may be interested to continue the discussion.
[...] All this talk of Beer/Wine stores being limited under agreements and laws (or whatever), has made me realize I never really bought any alcohol in the US and have no clue as to how things work. I'm 36 so I doubt my age will be a problem, but where do I go if I want to play tourist and check out what is available locally? I'm asking even though there where some discussions left and right about the subject, because they may have been untold items that where just too obvious to US residents.
Would a 7-11 do or is a Shaws (or any other grocer for that matter) really the only way to roll? Are there specialty stores that would be the norm? And while I am at it, I also realize I never stopped in a 7-11, ever, even though I have frequently traveled to the US. Is it true you can buy tubs of coffee?
I am sure things are different than Quebec.
Corner stores and grocers will have a descent selection, however the real good stuff is found in S.A.Q.s, which are government controlled alchool stores. They will have the best beers and wines available. Toronto is a bit different (and believe it's the same for the rest of Canada) where beer is also seperated into their own stores and cannot be found in corner stores.
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IF you're looking for beer, a distrib will sell it cheaper.
There is, however, a Shaw's supermarket attached to the Prudential Center. It has plenty of liquor and wine. I'd recommend this.
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only other TJ's in MA that sells alcohol is the one I work at here in Framingham (20 miles west of the city). There is also a TJ's directly across from the Hynes, however they cannot sell alcohol (MA law limits alcohol sales in grocery stores to 3 stores per chain, beer and wine only, and it is limited to the first 3 stores that open. Brookline and Cambridge opened on the same day, and Framingham 2 weeks later)
EDIT: trust me on this, we have a lot of stuff other stores don't sell, and it's pretty decent for a quick lunch.
If you plan to head to Central (off the Red Line) in the direction of Trader Joes, another good spot for liquor is Supreme liquors or its competitor across the street.
Otherwise, I highly suggest taking the green line to Harvard Ave. and go down the street from the stop towards Brighton for Blanchards which is pretty big and has a good selection. I miss both those spots since I used to live nearby.
Woah. I know of way too many liquor stores.
Blanchards i on the bigger side as far as Liquor stores go around here to my knowledge, that is if you don't have a car.
And Blanchard's is towards Brighton, not Boylston.
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Some do others don't if they are its usually done through a side outlet and not in the actual store. The best way to find out is look up the store and call them. Also beer and wine is usually always sold in grocery stores and most corner stores.
<Qs23> I just need to get my dicks in a row
<prox> i work for dicks
#paforums_pax, all about the dicks.
Stooooop.
That is false.
Chupa is from the south where yes you can buy beer and wine anywhere.
As I stated in the north east (where boston is) aside from a few select stores, beer and liqour come from either liquor stores, or beer distributors.
EDIT: And I know the laws in this regard I had to memorize them at work.
Completely wrong. We have given several options of places to buy booze at PAX East, stick to them and don't assume that any store will have booze unless the name of the store has the word Liquor or some form of it in it.
If you chose to ignore this and show up at CVS expecting booze, we will mock you endlessly for not listening. And will not share our booze. There is a lil more about this in the Hitchhiker thread so no one can say they weren't informed.
I've already been asked to find the closest places to the hotel areas to find booze, and its on my massive list of things to do.
If you want hard stuff, the most affordable within reasonable distance from PAX is Blanchard's at the corner of Harvard and Brighton avenues. That being said, there really is no such thing as affordable booze in Boston. So be prepared to pay city prices for everything.
As stated before don't assume that just any store will carry booze. You can pretty much guarantee that no convenience store (7-11, etc) will have anything. Liquor licenses are extremely expensive in Boston so only the stores that are big enough to afford it or specialize in it will have them. If it doesn't say 'Beer', 'Wine' or 'Liquor' in the name, chances are they don't carry it.
Where in the city are you staying?
TL;Didn't want to type it again.
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/3 to find places with really awesome local beers
http://www.hopstop.com/?city=boston to find out how to get to them on the T.
Anyone going to the Extreme Beer fest in the Cyclorama next weekend?
The Shaws next to the Pru does sell booze BUT they require you to have a mass license. I've been able to buy a few times without one (still have my out of state license) but the last time I was warned so I'm not sure what luck people will have. Just be aware that, that is their policy.
How is that even legal? What about a passport being a fed id i think they would have to accept it.
<Qs23> I just need to get my dicks in a row
<prox> i work for dicks
#paforums_pax, all about the dicks.
Do any Mass locals want to go beer shopping with me? I don't feel like trouncing all over town looking for a place to accept my out of state license just to buy beer.
Where can I get a 6 or 12 pack of some good beer? Local/micro brews would be nice to try.
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What's a mass license, please? How does a Johnny Foreigner obtain one? Thank you!
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He is talking about a Massachusetts driving license. Your passports should work no problem. I could not imagine the bars near the con would do this. If any Boston natives know about this it would be great to see if this is common or just some cashier being obstinate.
<Qs23> I just need to get my dicks in a row
<prox> i work for dicks
#paforums_pax, all about the dicks.
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Passport is the only other form of ID they have to accept. Out of state id's are at their discretion: Some places will take them without a problem, some will require a backup form of id, others just won't accept them. YMMV.
(1) Massachusetts driver's license,
(2) Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles liquor identification card,
(3) Passport issued by the United States or a country recognized by the United States,
(4) Valid military identification card.
(5) Passport Card
Identification must be checked on the day of service, even if the licensee has checked an individual's identification on previous occasions.
From http://www.mass.gov/abcc/enforcement/tools.htm
which is Mass's ABC board's website.
It means that they CAN accept an out of state, however to have a defense if you're underage trying to buy booze, the ABC encourages them to only accept Mass Ids, Passports, and military ids.
I once again love my mililtary id. No one questions it.
- Shaws Supermarket. It's very close to the Prudential Center. Just walk toward the California Pizza Kitchen, go down the escalator and then out the door. You'll see the Shaws across the street. If you're buying on Saturday make sure to head there in the afternoon - it has some funky hours and I also don't think its open on Sunday.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=One+Ring+Road,+BOston+MA&sll=42.358431,-71.059773&sspn=0.507392,1.231842&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ring+Rd,+Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts&ll=42.347559,-71.079993&spn=0.001982,0.004812&t=h&z=18
- Huntington Liquors. It's a couple of blocks away on Huntington Avenue. If you head out of the Pru Center entrance near Barnes & Noble/Cheesecake Factory that is Huntington Avenue right there. Take a right, cross Mass. Ave., cross Gainsboro Street and you should see it.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=301+Huntington+Avenue,+Boston+MA&sll=42.341318,-71.086999&sspn=0.000991,0.002406&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=301+Huntington+Ave,+Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts+02115&t=h&z=16
- Bradley Liquors. Only worth mentioning because it'll have the biggest selection of beer and wine over the other two. Its a bit longer walk (about 10 minutes) so you might want to take a cab back. Head out of the Pru and exit on the Boylston Street entrance near Gucci and Legals and bang a left. Just follow Boylston across Mass. Ave. around the outside of the Back Bay Fens. You'll see Fenway Park on your right btw as you walk up.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1266+Boylston+Street,+Boston+MA&sll=42.344958,-71.095882&sspn=0.001741,0.004812&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1266+Boylston+St,+Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts+02215&ll=42.34518,-71.094369&spn=0.001982,0.004812&t=h&z=18
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