Twin Liquors

Great location. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff! If you need to but something special, but need some advice, this is your place!

Just went to twin liquors for their weekend specials. The paper given you at the door says — weekend special 9 – 4 through 9 – 7. The only good price on beer was the first item. I had planned on stocking up. I looked all over the store for it and didn’t see any. I went and ask the employees and they said they did not have any. Since I was hoping to get that special I’d ask if they were substituting any other Mexican beers for the Mexican beer that they did not have and they said no-​not at the price that was listed for the item that was supposedly on sale. This was my first visit to this new store. My suggestion to people looking for better deals and prices and not having a teaser price that does not exist is for you to go next-​door to H-​E-​B were they have a fine selection of all different kinds of alcohol. I might add that this was the first day of their sale. If they didn’t have any it should have been marked off of the list or substituted with something else at the same price.

This is the only place I shop for liquor (I don’t even go to other Twins.) Scarlet is always super nice and helpful. I always look for when I need to find something new. I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else!

If I could give this place zero stars I would the guy working the front counter who looks like a chipmunk is a complete jerk. My roommate gave me a ride here who isnt 21 but she never touched any alcohol was with me when I tried to purchase got harassed about her ID and talked down to like a «little girl» (his words) and kicked out. We are both sober and I’ve never experienced such sexism in my life it’s disgusting a place would even hire someone like that and you don’t deserve a penny. Also note my friend is 20 and covered in tattoos she looks older then I do. Thanks alot you sexist pigs for the experience.

I’m going to preface his review by stating that my alcohol of choice is gin, and this Twin Liquors has a good gin collection. I don’t buy much of any other liquor but when I do, I buy that at the PX on Camp Mabrey as it is much cheaper than even Specs so I can’t review any other selection or price.
They have gin that you would expect any liquor store to have: Bombay, Tanqueray, Beefeater, Seagrams, etc. But they have a good selection outside of that. Such as St. George’s line of gin, Magellan, Hendricks, G’vine, Plymouth, Bluecoat, and Aviation.
Prices are a little higher on the gins that you can find at places like Specs, but it can tend to be a hassle to find out if Other stores have them in stock so I’m willing to pay a fee dollars more per bottle.

Capsule review: Twin Liquors at Hancock Center has a nice selection and possibly Austin’s best liquor sale. It can’t quite compete with the amazing Spec’s, but is still a great neighborhood resource. Full review below.
TLHC is huge, a convenient fact that allows it to have separate sections for spirits, wine (including a nice array of very high-​end selections and a 15% discount on six bottles or more), beer, and even cigars. There are even a couple of rooms for classes and tastings, although I’ve never partaken. You can easily spend 30 minutes just browsing the place.
The giant selection means slow turnover on some items, which in turn means that there are clearance barrels scattered throughout the store. It’s hard to tell what kind of a deal you’re getting, though, as the original prices aren’t marked.
Pricing, in fact, is where the trouble comes into the Twin Liquors Paradise: there are «price-​on-​two» specials that offer a «discount» that brings the price-​per-​bottle in line with what it might already have been at competing stores. So buyer beware on that.
That is, of course, unless you go for the famous wholesale-​plus-​a-​dollar sales that occur about twice a year. It’s the best sale ever, during which that $ 70 bottle of bourbon that you couldn’t justify becomes $ 50, which you can talk yourself into. The missus and I tend to get our annual stock during these, which makes me forget all about the regular prices. Also: last time I was in for this special, the manager was nice enough to sell me the best cheap whiskey (Very Old Barton) that I’ve ever had. So customer service points for sacrificing potential profit to do your patron a favor.
So I still prefer Spec’s on Airport for the constant beer deals, even bigger selection, and better access to small-​batch, limited-​release whiskey. But in a world in which Spec’s didn’t exist, this Twin Liquors and I could totally be besties: it’s eclectic, clean, well-​organized, and has what you need. Pro tip: get on their mailing list and get there for that amazing sale.

Conveniently located next to HEB, this is the closest liquor store for most members of the local university. They feature a decent selection of alcohol from liquors and liqueurs to wines and champagnes. They also provide a few mixers you’d only find at a liquor store if you’re in dire need of something rare like orgeat syrup or ginger beer.
Their prices, however, definitely contain a heavy premium. Handles that would have cost $ 17 – 18 most other places would sit at $ 21 here, and probably worse for bottles (I’m not as familiar with those prices). For college students, they’re also very strict about IDs and making sure that everyone in the group has an ID. On one occasion, I left early to pick up some mixers from HEB (where they were cheaper) and they required my friend to bring me back before finishing the purchase. I suppose they’re worried about selling to minors, but to a bit of an extreme degree.
I wouldn’t recommend going unless they’re having one of their fabled $ 1 sales where they drop prices to cost and add a dollar. Those are the best times to buy and usually occurs twice a year.

Andrew is the best employee here. This is the nicest location I’ve been too and I’m used to specs in Houston so I have high standards. They also carry the Fernet Branca Menta which is awesome.

This place is huge! It has a giant selection of wines that I have yet to even check out. Ill update this when I do. Their liquor variety also seems daunting. If you have something in mind, chances are they have it. If you don’t have anything in mind, then I’m positive you will find something to your liking. More than likely more just one something. I like that they give you discounts for buying 2 of something. Perfect for parties where you’ll need a couple of various types of liquor.
I have yet to partake in any of the events they apparently host, but I’m looking forward to one. I shall update my review when I happen to go to one.

This is a super-​good, locally-​owned bottle shop. I always find what I need in here, and usually walk out with what I want as well. The staff is very knowledgeable on spirits, and friendly as well. Keep your eyes on their sales. Frequently, they’ll have pricing that is lower than anything I’ve seen at any other liquor store. Their wine tastings are an excellent use of your Tuesday afternoon.

I really like this place. It’s conveniently located off Red River and 41^st next to the Petco and the HEB. I will have to say its one of the cleanest, nicest liquor stores I have been in. This place has a HUGE selection of wines, a good assortment of craft beers, the biggest tequila shelf I have beheld, a humidor for those cigar lovers, and separate rooms for beer, wine and various spirit tasting classes.
The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I really like their deals for wines 15% off if you buy six bottles, which totally enticed me to load up since I know those bottles will probably be empty buy the end of the month.

I often go to my neighborhood Twin Liquors. The service is great, and they have a good selection given the relatively small space. The folks that work there have given great advice, and are always friendly and willing to assist.
I’ve been to the Hancock location a few times. Wine 101 is a great experience. I went to a Tipsy Texan book signing, which was a much smaller event than expected. There were not many people there, and the author, David Alan, was standing at the end of the bar. He seemed to know most of those in attendance, or they seemed to have some magical connection. The store has a good selection, but it doesn’t really compare to Spec’s.

Actually, I agree that this isn’t Spec’s, though I was able to get —
Garrison Bros. TX Bourbon
on sale
for $ 72/​bottle!
(The deal was — 10% off if you by more than one bottle).
First of all you can’t get the shit in California.
Second of all, I have never seen it on sale until now.
Third of all, I treated myself to three bottles!
For this alone, I will have no shame in giving ‘em a whoppin’ 4-​stars!
BTW, the only other Twin that I had ever gone to was the one downtown off of E. 7^th St, and so until now, I thought that all Twin’s were of that size, so they must all vary depending on location.
For the liquor experience, Spec’s is still my favorite, though it was nice to know that the one on E. 41^st is larger, and more closely resembles BevMo here in CA.

My liquor store of choice, not necessarily because it’s the best unfortunately, but because it’s nearby and an adequate substitute for Spec’s.
Not the absolute largest selection of wines or spirits or beer, but a they’ll most likely have what you need and if you can’t find it a there’s a knowledgeable and friendly staff that will always search diligently for any item you may be searching for.

Let me start with this. This is one big ass liquor store. They have an enormous selection of spirits, wine, fine wines and cigars.
While my budget doesnt allow me to drop $ 250 on a bottle of wine, theyve got it if you want it. Cant really attest to the cigar freshness, but the humidor is big and sexy like every thing else.
There are constantly deals on most things in the store, and the inventory is always excellent. I was in the liquor and wine business for over 5 years and I think most everything in the store is priced fairly.
I always know what Im after when I go in (Weller 12 year Bourbon most times. Get it, drink it, love it), so the only interaction I have with the staff is at checkout. Every one is always nice and engaging.
I have never been to Specs because I feel like there is no need, Twins is my store.

I come here because its convenient. This is a very nice, huge Twin Liquors with events going on here often. But I don’t know… every time I come here they don’t have what I’m looking for or the price isn’t stellar. So I go with a new pick, or one that has something written about it saying its awesome. And then it turns out not to be so awesome… this has happened multiple times. Normally most people don’t want to be bothered with staff when they are shopping. But for purchasing alcohol you kind of want someone to give you good advice whos more than knowledgable. I like someone to bother me when I’m shopping for booze. Specs (off Mopac) never fails me on this aspect.
However, this place is in my neighborhood so I come here and make safe picks when I’m buying wine. I rarely buy liquor, but if I was going to I’d get it here. Beer selection? Meh, I’ll go to Sunrise and get a random selection of choices I’ve never had if I’m feeling beer that evening.

I can only comment on today’s Dan Aykroyd vodkagraph event, as today was the very first time I’ve ever even set foot inside a Twin Liquors. Even though there’s a Twin Liquors close to my house, I automatically go to Spec’s. I’m not sure why that is, but it is. And even though my experience today was less than stellar, I might go back to this Twin Liquors and actually look around at stuff next Monday.
I arrived at Twin Liquors at 1:45pm with my Ghostbusters tee on. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to charge up my phone the night before, and I was hoping beyond hope that the battery would last until 4pm when Aykroyd arrived.
I was third in line, and the staff and the people in line with me seemed very nice. I had enough people to chit-​chat with for the next two hours to keep me busy. Around 3:30pm, the staff started handing out a cocktail sample they’d made with Aykroyd’s Crystal Head vodka. That was actually my second helping, as the woman behind me went over to the tasting bar and snagged us each a sample earlier.
At least twelve people dressed up in full Ghostbusters costume, and I got a couple of pictures of them. I almost wore my Elwood Blues costume, but I chose not to because I figured I would have felt silly. I later regretted that decision, and you’ll hear why soon.
Four o’clock arrived, and here came Dan. He seemed in very good spirits, and wife Donna Dixon was with him, which I wasn’t expecting. For some reason, all the Ghostbusters got to cut to the front of the line. Um, okay, I understand they did something extra special by dressing up, but I did something extra special by *showing* up early. I would not have minded that they got to cut in line if they hadn’t all stood right in front of me as I was trying to take pictures of Aykroyd. I got a few, but I wasn’t able to get as close as I wanted to because of the costumed royalty. And each Ghostbuster had about 15 things they wanted Aykroyd to sign, whereas the rest of us only had up to one besides the bottle, and the one thing I had was a picture a lady in line with me gave to me to keep.
Once the Ghostbusters finally got out of the way and I had a clear shot of Aykroyd, my phone died, of course. So, THANKS! I was finally about to step in front of Aykroyd, when some bitch and her tot cut in front of me. I tapped the woman on the shoulder and told her the line starts «way back there.» Her response? «Fuck you!» Ex-​fucking-​scuse me? I only got here two-​and-​a-​half hours early so I could get a decent place in line. You can’t just walk in and play the elitist card. I mean, who the fuck do you think you are, anyway? I didn’t say any of this to her, but I sure wanted to. And pay attention to that last sentence because I’m going to write it again very soon about a different woman.
Bitch and spawn got their vodkagraphs and got the fuck outta the way, so I walked up and placed my picture in front of Dan. We shared a few friendly words, and after he signed my stuff he reached out his hand to shake mine. As I was reaching my hand out, I randomly got knocked out of the way by a younger bitch who blathered, «Oh Dan, it’s Astragenica! I just moved here, and I HAD to come say hiii-​eeee!!!» Ex-​fucking-​scuse me? I only got here two-​and-​a-​half hours early so I could get a decent place in line. You can’t just walk in and play the elitist card. I mean, who the fuck do you think you are, anyway, Astragenital?!? I didn’t say any of this to her, but I sure wanted to. (See, I told you I’d go there again. But can you blame me??)
I was determined to get a handshake, so I waited until Astragenital was done fawning all over Aykroyd, despite the Twin Liquor employees telling me to move along. No, I’m not going anywhere until I get a fucking handshake from one of my favorite fucking actors. I have behaved myself and not kicked asses when asses deserved to be kicked, and none of you Twin Liquor fucks kicked asses to the back of the line when you should have, so get off my case. I finally got my handshake, and I high-​tailed it to the register so I could pay and get the fuck out of dodge before someone ELSE treated me like shit.
So my big problem with Twin Liquors is that they didn’t have ANY security, and they certainly should have. While I was waiting to pay at the register, I watched several people jump line in front of the people who were originally behind me. These line-​jumpers came to the front area to «get pictures», and they then tried to *sneak* in line without anybody noticing. So, Twin Liquors? Next time you have a celebrity bottle-​signing event, you NEED TO HIRE SECURITY. It’s not fair that some of us stood in line patiently for more than two hours, yet people who got there late decided they had the right to be in line ahead of us. NOT COOL.
Sorry for all the cursing, folks.

I went there Saturday around noon for a wine tasting. I had a wonderful time tasting 20 wines. The staff was courteous and kind. I perused the shelves and loved the Whiskey/​scotch selections.
I returned at 6:50 p.m. for a St. Arnold’s tasting. The person from St. Arnold’s was on his way out the door. But a true gentleman, he opened the cooler and poured drinks for me and my girl. On his way out, he left an open bottle on the table because he had to run. It was for the St. Arnold’s Lawnmower which we didn’t try.
I poured the remainder of the bottle for me and my girlfriend, when I heard the manager shouting, «You can’t do that.» The manager ran over angrily and tried to force the drink from me. He then went into a profanity-​laced tirade, while ordering me to leave his store.
I can understand TABC rules and regulations. That however does not justify rudeness. I gave two stars because of the wine servers and the gentleman from St. Arnold’s.
With other wine and spirits shops throughout Austin, I won’t be going here with my dollars.

Wow.
My boyfriend and I attended a massive wine tasting here this past Saturday, the vendors were great, the wine was very nice. We heard that later that day they were tasting a St. Arnold’s beer and so we returned, barely catching the vendor before he left. He had two half opened beers left and poured us one. We drank it and chatted with him. He left and we thought we would try the remaining bit of the other beer. My boyfriend had just taken a sip when a very angry man (I’m assuming the owner or manager) screamed at us to «Get the hell Out of his store!» He said that what we were doing was illegal, which neither one of us knew. He then screamed at us, calling my boyfriend a «F#%$$ Ass*‘&&*» and cussed a bit more. There were some more words uttered that I can’t probably even bleep out successfully, but you get my drift.
Wow. For one thing neither one of us knew that taking a sip out of an already open beer was illegal. And even if it was, damn, there are so many better ways to go about getting someone to realize that fact. I have never been cursed out of a store before. Sorry twin liquors, you brought me in with the wine tasting and drove me faaaaaaaaar away with the profanity. Tell that manager to calm down. It was an honest mistake and we did not deserve to be cursed at. Glad there are many other liquor stores I can ta emy business too.

This was my first foray into the legendary Twin Liquors Hancock. I was lured there by a Unilocal event but stayed for the wine tasting. Jazz band (complete with large black man in dreadlocks and funny twitchy asian lady on drums) and free friday wine tastings make this my new fave. HUGE selection, wll organized, clean, and I almost prefer it to the Sam’s warehouse that is Specs.
For my money, I’ll probably pick up the one-​off bottle of gin at my local Reuben’s market and flirt with the cute but undeniably gay men there but if in the mood for some free wine and an adventure in drinking, Hancock is the place