Over the past few years, on-demand delivery services have increased in popularity.
It should perhaps come as no surprise to see alcohol on the list of things that you can order on-demand.
Whether you need a liquor delivery in the middle of a party or a bottle of wine for a night in with Netflix, today’s alcohol delivery apps make it possible.
And of course, the rise in alcohol delivery services has created more jobs for freelance drivers.
In this article, we’ll detail everything you need to know about alcohol delivery apps.
We’ll take a look at things from both the user’s and driver’s perspectives.
We’ll also analyze the best delivery apps available today so that you can determine which one you should use or drive for.
Table Of Contents
What Are Alcohol Delivery Apps?
You may be familiar with food delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
These apps allow you to use your phone to order food from your favorite restaurants — and not just typical take-out places like pizza or Chinese options.
A third-party driver will pick up your order and deliver it to your location.
The same concept applies to on-demand alcohol delivery apps.
These apps work with your local liquor stores to provide alcohol without you having to leave your home.
Typically, you’ll download a mobile app using your Android or iOS device.
You will then select your alcohol from a local liquor store.
You’ll pay for the alcohol and a delivery fee.
Then, a driver will head to the store, pick up your booze, and drop it off at your designated location.
You need to be at least 21 to order from an alcohol delivery app.
These apps contain ID verification technology so that drivers don’t make deliveries to those who are underage.
Many new alcohol delivery apps are available in major cities, including:
- Boston
- Washington, D.C.
- San Diego
- Dallas
- Sacramento
- Miami
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York City
The apps aren’t quite as popular as, say, Uber or Lyft.
But many of the companies are expanding rapidly, working with local stores who realize that these apps offer benefits to customers and can increase profit.
What Are the Benefits of Using Alcohol Delivery Apps?
When considering the benefits of booze delivery apps, there are three that stand out.
1) Convenience
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of an alcohol delivery app is how convenient it is.
For a small fee, you can have booze delivered to your door.
Don’t have access to a liquor store near your home?
It’s too cold outside to leave the comfort of your couch?
Forgot to get alcohol and need it at the last minute?
No worries — your alcohol can be here before you know it.
2) Safety
On a similar note, alcohol delivery apps provide a safe alternative to doing the errand yourself.
Too often, people may run out to the liquor store after they’ve already started drinking.
Consider the fact that in the United States, someone dies from a drunk-driving crash every 50 minutes.
These apps cut down on the temptation to get behind the wheel to refill your liquor stock.
3) Brand Selection
Another benefit of alcohol delivery apps is that they offer you a greater range of alcohol.
For instance, your local store down the street may not carry a particular type of cider or beer that you crave.
By using one of these apps, you can browse the selection across multiple stores, thus giving you access to a wider array of products.
Driving for Alcohol Delivery Apps — Frequently Asked Questions
If you work as a delivery driver already, you may be curious about whether you should begin working for an alcohol delivery service.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that drivers ask about alcohol delivery.
1) How can I get a job delivering alcohol?
If you’d like to work as a delivery person for an alcohol app, you’ll need to check out the app’s website for the application process.
Some of the apps will hire you as a freelancer, while others will direct you to liquor retailers in your area.
You’ll typically have to display a good driving record.
The companies will also provide training on identification verification, as you’ll need to check the IDs of the people you’re delivering to.
2) What is like working as an alcohol delivery driver?
This gig is fun — you get to travel around your city, meet interesting people, and set your own schedule.
You also won’t have to deal with long lines or placing food orders, as is the case when working for a food delivery service.
3) How much can I make delivering alcohol?
The answer depends on a few things, such as where and how often you work.
For example, Glassdoor says that Drizly drivers can make $12 an hour in base pay.
However, when factoring in tips and additional compensation, the average annual salary exceeds $25,000.
One thing to be careful of is whether you’re hired as an employee or an independent contractor.
If you’re a contractor, you’re going to pay more in taxes, cutting into your net pay.
4) How often will I work?
As an alcohol delivery driver, you can work as much or as little as you’d like.
These apps allow you to set your own schedule and determine your own availability, which makes it easy to work this job as a second job or side hustle.
If you already drive for another type of delivery service, you should have no problem filling your free hours while driving for an alcohol delivery app.
The Best Alcohol Delivery Apps Available Today
If you’re looking to start using or driving for an alcohol delivery app, consider these companies.
Grubhub
Grubhub is a food ordering and delivery service that allows users to order food from local restaurants.
It was founded in 2004 as the first web-based restaurant ordering service in the United States.
Since its establishment, Grubhub has expanded rapidly and now operates in more than 1,100 cities across the country.
The company has also partnered with several of the largest national restaurant chains, including McDonald’s, Subway, and Taco Bell.
Grubhub delivers alcohol in certain states where it is allowed by law.
You can check to see if your state is one of them by visiting our help center.
Keep in mind that you must be 21 years of age or older to order and receive alcohol from Grubhub.
DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery service that has become known and trusted by millions of people around the globe.
But does DoorDash deliver alcohol?
You’ll be happy to know that yes, they do.
They check IDs on delivery and have a special protocol for delivering alcohol safely.
There are few markups on the app, but the pricing and delivery fees on food orders are also common on the alcohol-delivery side of things.
Drizly Alcohol Delivery
Drizly is an app that promises a delivery time of 60 minutes or less.
It’s one of the most popular alcohol delivery apps to date, as it’s begun to expand to mid-market cities like Baltimore and Providence.
Drizly not only allows you to buy alcohol for yourself but to purchase gifts for others as well.
The company does not charge markups and offers more than 2,000 products from any given store.
Uber recently acquired Drizly, leaving the answer to “does Uber Eats deliver alcohol?” as an astounding “yes”.
Postmates
Postmates, now owned by Uber, is one of the larger delivery apps that delivers alcohol to customers.
Using this app, Postmates customers can order alcoholic beverages ranging from beer to hard liquor.
The service is not available everywhere nationwide, so double-check before getting your hopes up about using this service to keep the drinks flowing at your next party.
GoPuff Alcohol Delivery
GoPuff alcohol delivery is one of the newest players in the game, yet it is a premier choice for anybody looking for the top alcohol delivery apps.
Whether you’re looking for wine, mixers, beer, or something else, GoPuff’s alcohol delivery service will surely fit your needs.
Even better is the safety features the company has implemented, such as contactless delivery and id-verifications upon delivery.
Minibar Delivery
Minibar works with local liquor stores to bring alcohol to your door.
The company stands out because you can not only purchase alcohol but other products as well, including:
- CBD
- Caviar
- Coffee
- Bar accessories
- Flowers
- Bartending services
Minibar also partners with a local charity each month, meaning that a portion of your order goes to a good cause.
Swill Alcohol Delivery
Swill stands out because it provides you with full access to a liquor store, allowing you to purchase things such as limes, ice, and mixers.
Swill is relatively new compared to some of the other apps on our list.
It’s available in NYC and 15 other major cities.
Saucey Alcohol Delivery
Saucey is a unique option because it offers free delivery in 30 minutes or less.
You can also select two-day shipping if you’re preparing in advance for your next party.
The free delivery only exists if you place a minimum order of $15 within the company’s on-demand service hours, which vary from city to city.
Klink and delivery.com
Klink understands that your moods may vary, which is why they help you pick and order a drink for any occasion.
You can indicate your occasion or mood and then browse through the company’s list of recommendations before placing your order.
delivery.com recently acquired Klink, which is convenient because you can order much more than just alcohol.
The site allows you to buy food from local restaurants, have your groceries delivered, and even coordinate with nearby laundry services.
Thirstie
Thirstie is a bit different because it does not partner with local liquor stores.
Instead, it promotes direct-to-consumer sales and target marketing, connecting alcohol companies directly with their consumers.
Thirstie works with these companies to help them develop their e-commerce platforms and online delivery systems.
This is only a viable option if you know precisely what type of alcohol you’d like and the brand exists on the app.
Are Alcohol Delivery Apps Worthwhile?
No matter if you’re someone who drinks frequently or someone who enjoys the occasional weekend glass of wine, alcohol delivery apps could be useful.
The apps are convenient to use, as all you need to do is download them to your device and set up an account.
The convenience and safety offered by the apps are well worth the small price you pay for delivery.
If you’re a delivery driver, it may not hurt to add an alcohol delivery service to your list of clients.
The base pay isn’t fantastic, but you can set your own schedule and earn a decent bit in tips.
Because of the flexibility they offer, alcohol delivery apps are worth driving for if they’re in your area.
