Steamworks Liquor Store

After a delicious meal in the brewery I walked over to make friends with Mike at the store next door. Mike knew a lot about beers and when I told him what I usually drank he pointed me in the right direction. I was very happy with the few beers I opened in Canada and am excited for the new ones I have to open, they are like little presents to myself!
I usually drink darker beers but I bought a few of their Jasmine IPA’s for myself and some friends. Tasty and not overly hoppy! They had a great selection of darker beers and also a few San Diego beers. They also had some liquor but if you know me at all you know I was distracted by alllll of the beer. Until the boy came and dragged me out.
I ended up getting quite a few beers so glad it was the last stop before going back to the apartment. Good news is it’s not very far from the sky train as well. Make sure you bring Mike some San Diego brews if you visit! I sure will. Thanks Mike for helping out, Steamworks is lucky to have you!

Stopped in here while walking around Vancouver’s downtown. Next door to Steamworks brewpub on the water. Cramped, mini store that had a lot of Sea Cider, some odd De Molen, Steamworks bombers, some oddities imported in. Prices weren’t as ridiculous as you’d think. Picked up a Sea Cider Rumrunner for $ 14; about the same in WA state. Staff was nice.

Four stars for opening till late and on Sundays. The prices may be higher than the bc liquor store across the street but great back up choice when in the neighbourhood. Also they carry some specialty items that the liquor store doesn’t have such as mead.
They have a decent wine collection and the service is very friendly.
Value ³⁄₅
Atmosphere 4.5÷5
Service 4.5÷5
Quality ⁴⁄₅
¹⁶⁄₂₀

I like this place, it is very convinent, steamworks beer is alright too and they have special crafts sometimes which are nice. They have mead which I love so I come often. They are a little overpriced so go to the bc liquar store across the street if you can.

Went in to pick up some wine and beer this evening, they have a massive selection of both which was great.
The clerk was hilarious — some jokey banter about him not knowing anything about wine and I’m pretty sure he was high. Very silly and delightful, will definitely go back!

I found a receipt when I was in Vancouver for my birthday last month. It brought back something I really disliked. Unlike in the United States, you can purchase alcoholic beverages at most stores. I had to find a Government liquor store. What?! A Government Liquor Store?! I am glad I found Steamworks Liquor Store near the Waterfront Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
One of the wealthiest cities in the world has some of its disadvantages. For a moment, I thought there was a prohibition, but there a tons of bars and nightclubs in Downtown Vancouver. If you plan to purchase alcohol, you’ll have to find a Government-​certified liquor store. Not exactly sure how that works, but you won’t find most places you would think would sell alcohol, not sell at all.
You’ll find Steamworks Liquor Store next to the Steamwork Brewing Company and the Waterfront Station. During the day, its quiet and customers enjoying lunch while boats are docking in and out. At night, its busy with well dressed men and women ready to party the night up. Steamworks Liquor Store looks big, but that is just the restaurant. The store is small, thus, having small selections and prices being expensive.
The basic selections are in the refrigerators or on the shelves. The specialty items are behind the counters and you’ll have to have one of the employees get it for you. I will WARN you now. It is much pricier in Vancouver than most places I have known. So, lets see what I bought. I purchased a six pack of Betty’s Vodka Raspberry Tea ($ 13.40 CAD). There is recycle value of $.10 cents per can/​bottle. Also, I bought two 200ml bottles of Fireball ($ 10.15 each). Geez, I can buy four of these bottles that equal one large bottle in California.
It was great to stop by here instead of 7-​Eleven. Well, 7-​Eleven doesn’t sell alcohol. I don’t know the history, but I do applaud Vancouver of their policies and how they got to where they are at. I am sure if all stores started selling, there are the Pros and Cons. Prices would go down, but there might be more DUI/​DWIs. Now, I wonder if its better just to buy at the Duty-​Free Shops or just go to the bars?
You think I write too much? Well, you can call me a Unilocal-​O-​Holic!

I love you Steamworks Liquor Store.
So much that I just bought four Steamworks beer!
It’s pretty warm outside today and a girl need her ”veggies”.
Fresh as usual!
Convenient opening hour (they are now open even on Sunday hooray).
Friendly staff, good price. I am an happy camper. Summer 2014 here I come!

I still think it’s a 3-​star place, but it looks like they’ve removed the tip option from the debit/​credit card machine, which I like.

They sell booze
They are located a few blocks from my fav hotel
They are open late
They don’t judge you for coming in several times in one week
They don’t judge you for clearly buying the cheaper wine
They chat amongst themselves and leave you alone unless you want some input and then
They smile and provide some info unless you want more wine info and then
They are a bit lost but still smile and try
They provide me the option to get a bottle of wine, instead of a glass, for $ 15-​$ 20 (unlike room service — *waving fist in air*)
what’s not to like!!!
I have no problem giving these people my money. They provide an essential service to business travelers who, after a long day of meetings, just want to get room service WITH wine but not spend the equivalent on a glass than you can on a bottle.
Only reason there is no 5^th star is because of the markup… although i can’t blame them.

8pm, downtown, Friday night — they were open! Already in my good books.
They have liquor by the bottle, cold beer and wine, some spirits, and some specialties. The selection of coolers and ciders is limited, but they’ve got a decent selection of wines and common beer.
I just needed some vodka as we were going to a friend’s place for her birthday. I had a choice of Polar Ice, Smirnoff, Stoli, etc. in a range of sizes. I didn’t mentally compare prices, but it wasn’t bad. The guys behind the counter were nice, friendly, and I was really just asking about sizes and prices that I couldn’t see (the rum /​vodka /​whisky /​etc. are behind the counter).

You best not be looking for sage liquor wisdom if you be in this store, cuz that ain’t what they got. What they do offer, however, is this (in point form, conveniently):
— cold beer and wine
— an okay selection of above cold beer and wine, plus a smattering of reds for those who so desire (which I do)
— a few decent BC VQA options to choose from
— an inflated price on said beer and wine, BUT…
— are open past the nearest government liquor store’s ridiculous 9pm closing time AND are open both on holidays and Sundays
— will ask you for ID — even if you clearly look over NINETEEN — and if you fail to produce said ID but do have a library card, they will sell you the liquor you desire because clearly only old people go to the library? (true story)
SO, this is a fine option when in a jam. Just remember to bring your library card.

Most people who work here are incredibly nice but have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to wine.
But that’s ok because they are nice and they are OPEN after the BC Liq store closes.
And the prices aren’t THAT inflated.
And sometimes they have specials that are below Gov Price (or so the sign says)

The beer from next door and a good selection of wine from BC that is hard to get out of the province. Yes some of the prices seemed high but for the most part they were in line with my expectations. Yes I will be back here again when in town.

Needed a quick drink to go !
Just down by the Harbor downtown, we passed Steamworks.
It was clean and slightly cramped inside.
We wanted a Rock Star and a Cider.
Rockstar was no problem, although a tad steep at 4.25 $ However it is a beer store so it’s to be expected — but hey it was cold!
Cider — not so lucky ! The only single they had was some sort of pear flavor (Yuck)
We shared the one Rock Star.
The clerk was with a sales rep, but quickly rung in the purchase.
Some interesting things to note.
–They carried Merrydale Cider. It’s made on the island and is not sold too many places. I only saw the one liter, but it’s nice to know they do have it
(2 flavors House & Traditional). I am regretting not buying some.
They also carried a selection of flavored beers in the cooler we looked at.
Strawberry ect. I am not a beer drinker, but thought it was pretty cool.

Hipsters running the joint.
This place was really cool. The way the two dewds interacted with the customers was great. It was like they were giving tours inside their homes with great commentary to those of us that had questions about the booze.
Will made 3 great suggestions for wine and local beer.
Don’t half step. If you are staying anywhere in the Gastown or Downtown area near Waterfront Station, go here and get stoked.