BC Liquor Store

Given its size and limited hours, that’s what i’m basing it on – closes at 6pm! due to its office restrictions but man, what a tough way to do business, only the DT working crowd.
and not much residential condos here either.
Small location but it’s got all the basics. Just don’t expect it to be as spiffy as the Oakridge Cambie st. location.
just 3 cashiers.

I love BCL. I love that it’s a government-​owned company and that the staff clearly are lifers. I’m sure they are union represented and have benefits and all that jazz. Also, the people who research and stock those shelves do an excellent job. This particular BCL is pretty small so the selection is limited but I find they have a great list of BC VQA wines for less than $ 30, which is really all I care about, in addition to the usual stuff (like basic gins and beers). I also found that they have a decent selection of soju and sake.
This place DOES have strange hours, though, I think; sometimes I expect it to be open and it’s not.

The most convenient downtown government liquor store. It’s right across form Waterfront station, which isn’t too out of the way when your fleeing the downtown work day. They have an average beer selection for a government liquor store. I wish they could do better since they get a lot of traffic and have a competitive independent across the street. The layout is kind of cramped, not very roomy.

This place works as a liquor store… but wow is the service ever somber… I get the impression that these people are amidst clinical depression… or they don’t like people who don’t look exactly like themselves?
Qu’est-ce que le service est sombre! Mon dieu, j’ai jamais rencontré des gens qui vendent le bonheur… si malheureux… bizarre…
heureusement les transactions prendent seulement quelques secondes…

I am by no means someone who goes to the liquor store on a regular basis and I am not a wine connissieur (sp?) whatsoever… so… I always wonder if there is a structure to how liquor stores work… similar to a grocery store — produce usually to the left, dairy in the back. make a giant circle before heading to the cash to check out… you know, that sort of thing.
great. the wines are listed by countries… but I only know red wines by shiraz, merlot. and whites as pinot grigio, chardonnay etc… At least I’m glad that they have little tags with «picks of the week» although that could be from 8 weeks ago, who knows.
I think it’s really a battle of wine marketers who can best describe their wine on the back of the label… so I’m not trying to put down this liquor store because it’s fine… I’m just saying I wish I was better at it!

The cheapest downtown liquor spot! This place does get crowded Fridays at 5pm, but overall I find this store to be easy to shop. The aisles have slightly more breathing room than the store I go to on Cambie. Likewise, the displays and stack-​outs (containing glass bottles) look a little more secure. So I don’t fear starting a domino reaction and paying a shitload for glorious liquor that is spilled all over the floor. (Would anyone stop to lick it up for free? Disturbing thought)
Plan ahead, don’t wait to late to go, and you’ll save yourself money and time.

Unfortunately, this BC Liquor Store is probably the closest government liquor store near where I live… and it still isn’t that close! Regardless, I am able to hop on the SkyTrain to Waterfront Station and walk a block, which really isn’t too bad. Now you’re probably wondering why I would go to this effort to avoid a private liquor store that might be closer, right? Well if you are aware of the booze prices in BC, and in particular, prices from private stores, you will understand that the government stores are significantly cheaper for everything! Plus the selection is more often than not, superior to the competition. Of course, the only downside are the hours, BC Liquor closes at 6pm and isn’t open on Sundays, so should you need to go for a late night libations run, you’ll likely find yourself shelling out more cash at a private store. BC Liquor doesn’t carry any drinking accoutrements, such as mix or limes, but that’s what the grocery store is for! I mean, we aren’t in America!