Where did you buy your...

amianne420

liquor?
Our venue lets us purchase our own liquor and I don't have the first clue where to go for a good deal. Down here in Baltimore, you can get a one day shopping pass at Costco to purchase liquor, but I don't think PA Costco's do that or even sell liquor.

Not sure if I should go to a regular liquor store, buy online....
Any help would be great!

TIA!

pantherRN

Can you buy it at Costco in Baltimore and drive it up? That's probably cheaper than the state stores here.

amianne420

nevermind about costco, just found out they don't sell liquor in bmore. any other ideas?

deviemb

If you are buying here in PA ask around for anyone you know who can buy it on the military base (I have never, but I hear it is cheaper)  

Also ask around for places that you can return any unopened bottles (there aren't many but they do exist!)

sarilynnep

Being from Ky, I get very frustrated at trying to buy liquor in PA. It's much easier to buy it in another state at a large liquor store or someplace like costco, but technically driving liquor over state lines is illegal.

Your best bet is to ask around. If you can find a place that you can return upoened bottles as deviemb suggested than that would save you some money potentiallyl

Flowerstar1023

My understanding is that, unless you want to drive some in from Ohio or West Virginia (which is actually illegal), you're stuck buying from the PLCB (state run liquor stores) or a place like Dreadnought Wine in the Strip District. Unfortunately, neither are allowed to give discounts but I did have a guy tell me in one of the liquor stores that they have sale prices on some products and that you can look at their sales on this printed info sheet in the stores (or just walk around). It'd be nice if PA would wake up to the 21st century, but it's such a revenue generator I wonder if it'll ever happen.

Pirata13

I'm pretty sure that the PA liquor stores will let you return any unopened bottles when you buy in bulk like that. I'd call or email them and ask. Are you doing a full bar? We did just beer and wine, and it made it so much easier. We didn't have to buy our liquor, but we didn't like their house wine, so we found wines we like comparable in price and they brought it in for us, since they could return what wasn't opened.

We did light and dark beer, and red and white wine. It might be something to consider if you want to reduce some of the hassle of buying several bottles and possibly being left with them. And maybe add a signature drink or two if you want to serve hard liquor.

pantherRN

You can return any unopened bottles to any liquor store.

cgyvhu

I have a friend getting married whose father is in the military, and they are buying alcohol on base because there's no tax there.  Don't know if this is an option for you, but it could save you some money.

KimWard

My parents took care of this for me since I'm OOT... they just bought it at the usual state store they frequent. The extra, unopened bottles were taken back without a problem. They had also thought about going to Washington for it.... I believe there is some sort of liquor outlet there, but I don't know what it's called.

ginny814

You need to watch, though.  Some venues that allow you to bring in your own liquor will make you show them your receipt...I know ours does. If it's from another state, you could be in trouble.  

Many stores in PA will allow you to return unopened bottles.. so I would definitely find a place that allows you to do that.