Jack Carvill’s Off Licence

I staggered in here last week during an unfortunate evening of sobriety and the gentlemen promptly sorted things out. Their global beer selection is just incredible. I mean, they had six-​packs of Magic Hat, a small Vermont Microbrewery whose Wikipedia page is only 3 sentences long. That is CRAZY. We are 3000 miles from their regular distribution!
You’ve got to watch your budget in that place though as some of those 750 ml bottles approach € 20. I settled on a healthy variety of ales from more modest price-​points and they did not disappoint.

The interior is not fancy, indeed but it breaths time of old. Very nice antique atmosphere! The back of the shop with the Cashiers room (see Cristin L. review) is indeed hidden from sight, which is a petty
They still have a very nice assortment of beers and wines. They have beers originating from Belgium I never heard from for example, Deadly!
Next to this they have close to the counter their special offer beers; € 1.- per bottle of beer, which are even cooled!
The place is manned by father and son, both very friendly and very knowledgeable about their business. An excellent place.

Beautiful interior, dark wood paneling and shelves. I love the old cashiers room at the back, on the left. Very oldsie worldsie.
Alas the shop space has been reduced of late, the end and back right of the shop has been cordoned off to shoppers. This is a result of the reduction in alcoholic beverage produce now stocked in Carvill’s. A result of the recession? Who knows.
It is a shame though because they don’t seem to have the same big selection of craft and imported beer. Also the selection of wine on offer has reduced significantly. I don’t buy my wine in here anymore as a result.
I hope it returns to the old days where all the shelves are fully stock with a good selection of everything alcohol related. And soon.

Beers from around the world, from lesser-​traveled US bottles (Blue Moon, Goose Island, Sierra Nevada) to Irish and UK microbrews (Wildcat, Whitewater, Hilden). It’s also a great first stop before dinner at Rotana up the road, which is a gorgeous BYOB Lebanese place. The staff here happily make recommendations to suit price range and food matching. My loved one didn’t appreciate the sticker shock of a microbrew bottle we bought, but I’m still so over the moon at their selection that I overlook such minor points as price. I’m coming back again and again.

This is what a proper off-​license should look like! You walk in and feel a bit like you’re in a pub and not just an off-​license. Carvill’s has a pretty good selection, even though it is a bit middle-​of-​the-​road. Every time I’ve been here the staff were great and helpful and the older man knows his whiskey which makes me happy. Sadly they didn’t have Tyrconnell but I live in hope.
At the moment they have a really sweet Valentine’s day decoration in the main window, which is a nice touch.

This is a great off-​licence. It’s got loads of everything and old school charm. It’s dark and woody inside with a great front too. The guys who work here are very friendly and helpful.
There are also some lovely surprises here. Do you know any other off-​licence where you can buy Rowntree’s Randoms at the till? Funny.

Carvill’s is damn fine off licence. Never mind your horrible blue and orange ‘Booze 2 Go’, Carvill’s is business premises with a touch of class. Look at all the original features: the wonderful carvings, still intact; the delightful booth at the back. It would almost make you sorry that you’re only going in to buy 6 Dutch (and maybe a nagin of Huzzar if you’re really letting your hair down).
But if your tastes extend beyond such plebian pursuits as Carling or Turbo G, Carvill’s has an excellent range of continental and international beers, and has probably the best range of wines of any shop that isn’t exclusively a dedicated vintners.
So if it’s Budvar that you’re looking for or merely Budweiser (god help you), Carvill’s is the way to go.

So its pissing rain in Dublin, almost never happens, and your getting nostalgic for your favourite beer that you last had on that beach somewhere in southeast Asia/​Sydney/​Auckland. Well chances are might just find it in Carvill’s off licence.
As well a great Victorian style interior, dating from 1905 and huge selection of wines and spirits, Carvill’s is very well stocked in beers both foreign and domestic. They also noted a mention in Ulysses.
The staff know their stuff, so do ask for help if your not a wine expert and buying a bottle for someone. They’ll be more then happy to help.