Meet in Cody: At Libations – More than a Liquor Store

The flowers arrive every summer. Lavish arrangements from Northern Gardens spill across the front of the building on Main Street. It’s a signal, if you know how to read it: this isn’t just a place to pick up a bottle of wine on your way somewhere else.

Libations has anchored a corner of Cody’s social life for 17 years. Owner Juli Hinze and her exceptional team have built something quieter than a bar and more personal than a retail store. Inside, you’ll find a room with tables where you can visit, but you won’t find televisions because the point is to foster conversation and connection. On a good afternoon, the wine machine is running tastings, someone has brought food to spread across the tables, and a group of friends has grabbed slushy drinks or individual beers kept on ice to enjoy good conversations.

There When Cody Needed It

The test came in 2020 for businesses in Cody. Liquor stores were classified as essential during Covid, which meant Libations could legally keep its doors open to ten customers at a time. Their team made a different call. Instead, they closed the floor and ran only the drive-through window. That was enough to keep them operating. What they did with the rest of their energy is what people here still remember.

They launched the Cody Comes Together Campaign. The area where the tables sat became a staging area. Libations asked the community to buy gift cards from businesses whose doors were shut, and then matched what people spent. Customers brought items they had purchased to the store, and the Libations staff distributed them to struggling business owners. They essentially created a way for Cody to ensure businesses made it through.

It worked because the community showed up. And that’s because the Libations team had spent years making it easy to walk through the door.

What You’ll Find Here

Libations offers the expected beverages and also has a self-serve 12-bottle wine machine that lets you taste before you invest in the bottle. Individual beers and canned beverages sit ready on ice, or choose from seven flavors of slushies, and ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails. Since no food is served, you’re welcome to bring your own. Groups can reserve tables Sunday through Wednesday; Thursday through Saturday is first-come, first-served. Larger groups of up to 50 can reserve the entire space.

Libations has a rewards program that’s now 5000 members strong. You receive 15 points for every dollar spent, with a 600-point bonus when you sign up. They also offer a military and senior discount, and you can always get free ice with your purchase. “We take the old-school service approach here,” said Juli Hinze, owner of Libations.

Plus, they’ve partnered with neighboring Fat Rack’s BBQ: show your Libations receipt next door and receive a discount. And the same applies in reverse. Bring your Fat Rack’s receipt to receive a Libations discount.

In-Store Events

Watch for events happening at Libations. They are hosting more and more tastings in conjunction with distributors. This spring, they hosted a Lazy K Whiskey branding event where leatherworkers custom-branded bottles on-site.

Each December, the beloved bourbon night fundraiser draws a crowd. Libations acquires hard-to-get bourbons that are made available on that night. With limited tickets available, they are in high demand because they’re needed to have a chance to purchase the special spirits. Tickets are drawn, and the ticket holder has the opportunity to purchase the bottle up for sale or pass, hoping for another turn. It’s fun for all, and the money raised goes to good causes.

Once, someone suggested a Girl Scout cookie pairing event that was a smashing success and truly benefited the Girl Scouts who made the cookies available. They love it when you come to them with your ideas and work with you to pull them off.

They Can Bring the Beverages

In addition to birthday parties for adults, meetings, and gatherings, Libations also travels with its liquor license to provide bar services. They love collaborating with other businesses for events and have worked with CodyArts, CASA, and Cottonwood Interiors among many more.

From weddings to private gatherings to fundraising events, they’re ready to help you set up specialty drinks to make your event memorable. Call them with your ideas.

Join the Team

Juli said, “The team is what makes working here such a joy.” And it is a tight-knit group that steps up to the plate when rough times show themselves. If you’d like to be part of this team that contributes so much to the community, they are hiring for the summer. Stop in and ask for Juli.

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