Bendición Bottle Shop is so proud to be one of the first intentional Sober Social Community Spaces in Chicago - a city with Malört and Fernet in its veins. We're here to challenge the belief that you need alcohol to have fun or be the life of the party. Our main goal is to create a safe, fun environment where people can come together for date nights, have community classes, host recovery meetings, and create those deeper connections we all need and crave - without the expectation or societal pressure to include alcohol. The products in the bottle shop are very intentionally and carefully selected, and my goal with it is to bring you a large variety of NA beers, spirits, wines, and seltzers that might otherwise not be as easy for people to get on their own or that they might not have even heard of. The brands I carry are a majority women, marginalized community, and/or family owned. We’re inviting you to try something not often expected of us in these social settings - To remember the night. To make memories you won't forget. To be Present.whether you’re sober serious, sober curious, straight edge, or sober just for tonight, you’re welcome here
The Personal Bit :
“Bendición” means “Blessing”. It’s what my grandparents always said to me before I left the house, their hope that I would be protected always. During active addiction, I didn’t take care of myself or put myself in safe situations. I think more than anything, I didn’t want to be protected, I didn’t think I deserved it. In recovery, through the rooms, I’ve learned to get in touch with my “Higher Power”, which for me (at least right now) is my ancestors. But my Ancestors aren’t just my grandparents. They’re everyone I’ve lost in my life who continues to watch over me. I see them all blessing me, helping to create oppotrunities, and putting the best they can in my path. Although my recovery community looks slightly different now, I’m grateful for the community that held me when I didn’t think I deserved to be held.
Bendición was born out of a need for an alternate to the usual Chicago nightlife options currently available. On a cold February night, walking home from the bar crying at 2AM, I knew there had to be something better for us - somewhere we didn’t feel excluded for not drinking, somewhere it didn’t feel awkward asking for a mocktail, somewhere we didn’t feel alone.
As much as this space is in memory of 2 month sober Cristina, it’s more for my community and hoping to provide the option to others that I wish I had at the time. I want to provide the space where you can celebrate your friends and milestones, to have a fancy night out, for those “treat yourself” days. Come be authentically you, We welcome it, sober and all.
While Bendición dry bar & Bottle Shop is a safe sober space for all seeking one, we do not tolerate any forms of racism, anti-blackess, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, any forms of sexual assault or any forms of violence. Marginalized communities will always take priority.
Bendición is created in dedication to my grandparents- my grandmother, Lucy “Lulu” Martinez, and my grandfather, Carlos “Charlie” Martinez.
My grandmother was a firecracker. She had such a strong passion and love for family, community, cooking, and plants, as well as so much pride in her Puerto Rican culture. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for her influence in my life.
My grandfather was an artist, and a bowling machine - you can see all of the bowling trophies in the background of the photo to the left. He had the biggest heart I’ve ever had the honor of encountering. He taught me to help anyone and everyone, and the importance of community care. He always encouraged me to be completely myself.
Bendición is also in honor of DeMarlo Branch. DLo was a such a loving soul, literal sunshine every single day. He hated seeing anyone upset and always checked in to make sure you were okay. He was a deeply spiritual person and shared that love any time he could. He always asked what your dreams were and was your biggest cheerleader for any project you had in mind.
There were days when I didn’t think I could do this, I talked down on myself and honeslty almost gave up. But after having a beautiful conversation with D, he encouraged me to keep going, to not give up. He is so deeply missed.
I would have never started this journey with Bendición if it wasn’t for James. When he passed in 2020, I felt so lost. How could someone so full of life and love for everyone they’ve ever met be gone so quickly.
Jim loved to make everyone laugh, and make sure they felt like they belonged, and he was so damn good at it. He was never afraid to live his life or do what he wanted, you couldn’t tell this kid no.
After his passing, I made myself a promise to try three new things in 2020. I believed that the best way for me to honor him was to push myself to no longer be afraid to live.
I took some guitar classes.
I took a writing class.
I started working on Coast (the initial name for Bendición)
From there, I knew that starting my own business and opening a dry bar was the scariest thing I could do. So I kept at it. And I couldn’t have done it without having known Jim.