Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Alcohol-Delivery Apps For Safe And Saucy Summer Entertaining
Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist
()
Angelenos have long envied New Yorkers for their ample, all-hours delivery services. It seems that you really can get anything in the Big Apple at any given moment. And while our hope for later last calls has been squashed, there's hope yet in terms of booze delivery.
California is one of 18 states where the delivery of beer, wine and liquor is allowed with no restrictions. (Even in good ol' New York there's a limit to how much you can order.) Several new alcohol delivery apps have launched this summer to take advantage of our party-loving ways, and are helping keep the party going strong.
Here are some that we're digging:
Saucey: L.A.-based Saucey has a team of drivers and 70 liquor store partners to make sure that you get your booze in good time, and with a smile. And just like with Lyft or Uber, everything is taken care of on via the app, including a tip. The only thing you'll need for the physical delivery is an ID, which is checked upon delivery with a scanner on your driver's iPhone. For holiday weekends, they even offer packages that include your own home bartender. It's not as cheap as having your buddy make jungle juice at $400-800 (depending on the package), but it sure beats hiring a catering company. They also donate a percentage of each sale to Charity Water, meaning you're helping those who actually really need something to drink. You can find out more info on the app here.
Support for LAist comes from
Drizly: Not only does Drizly get your bottles to the door quickly, but they do so in style. An absolutely adorable delivery dude showed up to our door with a reusable tote stocked with Aperol, Bar Keep fennel bitters, and a nice (and affordable!) bottle of Sauvy blanc within 20 minutes. We couldn't have been happier. These guys definitely have the best selection when it comes to craft spirits and items for cocktail nerds, including various types of mixers, sodas, and small batch spirits. It's also available on Android, which means everyone can get in on the fun. Well, everyone currently living in Silverlake, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City and Koreatown, that is. The app just launched, and they'll be rolling out in the other neighborhoods throughout L.A. in the weeks to come. They use a similar ID scanner to Saucey to make sure you're of age, so don't get any wild ideas. Tip is already included in the price, too. You can find out more info on the app here.
Instacart: Instacart's crowdsourced driver model is similar to that of Lyft, where shoppers pick up and deliver grocery orders providing their own transportation. They offer grocery shopping, and also deliver wine, craft beer, and booze from stores such as Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Ralphs, and Costco. Bristol Farms seemed to have the most interesting portfolio of items, including Barbancourt rum from Haiti, rhum agricole, Dolin vermouth, and a variety of sherries. A cool feature is that you can request items that aren't in the online marketplace and attach a photo so that your shopper can pick it up for you. And if you're planning a party, you can get paper goods from Costco without the membership. There is a $3.99 delivery fee for orders of $35 or more, but it's $7.99 if it's below that amount. There's also a rush delivery available for $14.99. Tips are totally at the customer's discretion. You can find out more info on the app here, and check out this link for a $10 credit on your first order of $35 or more.
Other Notable Services To Keep An Eye Out For:
Pink Dot: Though it's technically not an app, Pink Dot is old faithful when it comes to door-to-door bottle delivery services. They have 25 full-time employees at your disposal, driving around their eye-catching pink VW Bugs as they also deliver hot foods and groceries. But their bestsellers are liquor, cigarettes and condoms, according to its owner Sol Yamini. You can find out more info on their services here.
Thirstie and Ultra: We couldn't test these two apps because they don't yet service our area (Hancock Park/Mid-City L.A.). But the folks at Thirstie say they're currently available in Hancock Park as well as Downtown, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, West Hollywood, Laurel Canyon, Beverly Hills, and Sunset Plaza, however, so perhaps it's just growing pains. You can find out more info on Thirstie as they roll out here, and for Ultra, here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist