Booze delivered to my doorstep in under 20 minutes! Win!
As a promo for the L.A. launch of liquor delivery app Drizly, I was invited to order up some booze through the app. Funny considering I had JUST written a Los Angeles Magazine blog post about such liquor delivery apps that are now becoming available in the city. A lot of the apps are still limited in coverage areas and inventory but when you have a liquor emergency and don’t feel like braving L.A. traffic to get it, it’s fine in a pinch.
So Drizly. This iPhone/Android app, created by three Boston College classmates who were obviously filling a need, is the biggest thing in Boston and New York. And now it hits L.A. tomorrow and will service in Silver Lake, Downtown, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Drizly differs from most liquor delivery apps in that it’s the only one that’s been OK’d by alcohol control boards and uses forensic ID verification technology to confirm legit ID. It also promises one of the quickest delivery times — 20 to 40 minutes compared to two hours. However, unlike apps Sqyre, Thirstie and Lasso it charges a delivery free, depending on the area.
This came just in time for Bottle Shock’s opening scene!
Anyhoo, back to my free trial (I was given a code that essentially gave me about 99 percent off my order). I was about to sit down to watch Bottle Shock, still flying high from passing my Court of Master Sommeliers intro exam, and got a craving for 2011 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. Fortunately it was available to order on Drizly for $49.99 I also got a bottle of Ron Zacapa 23 year Solera Rum for $48.99, because why not? Now, just for comparison’s sake, at my favorite liquor store K&L the wine costs $41.99 and the rum is $37.99 so I’d already be paying a lot for the convenience. Add to that tax and tip (I wasn’t charged a delivery fee) and my total would have been $122.89. Had I gone to K&L and picked it up my own damn self? $87.17. That’s a $35 difference!
BUT I do have to say, it was cool to get a bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay hand-delivered just when the movie’s opening scene was still playing. I had started the movie when I placed the order. Delivery time was an amazing 15 minutes!
Would I use the service again? Although I’m tempted by how quick and easy it is to have booze delivered at my doorstep (so far it’s the only app that services my area!), I don’t like paying THAT much for the convenience and would rather either just plan ahead or drink something else. But then again, it may be like how I treat Uber, as an occasional splurge.
Pros: Bottles are delivered in a handy reusable tote which separates the bottles, only liquor delivery app that services my area, super quick delivery times.
Cons: No liquor descriptions in the app, bottles alone cost more than store counterparts, hardly any craft beer, not a very intuitive app.
Heads-up: If you want to check out Drizly yourself there’s currently a promo code for new members. Enter WELCOMELA at checkout and get $10 off any order placed before June 30.