Palo Alto Fine Wine & Spirits

Great selection of lots of potent potables. The prices can be downright amazing. I was floored at the price of some of my favorite whiskies and the prices of ones I hadn’t given a chance before because they were too expensive elsewhere. They definitely use that to encourage you to try things you wouldn’t normally.

Okay, apparently there were some personal issues, which caused the store to open late. We’re stopping in again, and I know sometimes circumstances happen beyond our control So, I’m giving this place some more business and hope others will too. Will update accordingly, and thank the staff for explaining their situation.

This place is fantastic. I drove out here from San Francisco to check it out and it did not disappoint. The beer selection is amazing and I found items that I was unable to find at other specialty stores. They also gave me the 10% discount even though I was one bottle short of the 6 bottles required. Lastly, they even helped me carry my haul to the car.
I thought I had found my go to store in SF, but selection and customer service are enough to make me drive out here for all my beer needs.

For my husband’s surprise home-​done «pub quiz» birthday, I ordered a pony keg of Guiness, some extra bottles of a lighter beer, bottles of red and white wine and various waters and sodas. The staff was very knowledgeable and helped me pick out the wines at a good price point. Everyone liked the particular ones I ordered. I was nervous about having the Guiness because it is not everyone’s favorite, however, it was a big hit! Most everyone drinking gave it a try, and it was delicious on tap (at just the right temperature and carbonation). The staff helped me rent a junction box necessary for this type of beer, which was very authentic given the party theme. I was surprised that we nearly finished the pony keg with 30 (not so heavy) drinkers. The other drinks arrived chilled (not on ice so no labels were damaged) and the (short distance) delivery was free and on time. I would highly recommend Palo Alto Fine Wine and Spirits, especially for any party! It is now owned by two brothers who are very professional, friendly, customer service oriented and helpful.

The ONLY place in the area to go for fine wine, excellent selection of beers and awesome choices for spirits… I should know, I am probably there once a week for one thing or another :) — Justin and Bobby are the best! Knowledgeable about wines, spirits and beers and super willing to work on finding something special/​different that you’re looking for and they don’t have; honest, genuine and kind; and always greet you personally. Clearly interested in getting to know you as a customer. something that isn’t often the case.

These guys get it! Owner of the store was extremely nice and helped me find exactly what I was looking for. Very knowledgable and answered all of my questions. I will 100% be buying all of my alcohol from here moving forward.

This place is seriously the most awesome liquor place you will ever go to. They have an amazing selection of craft beer, along with a wide array of wine (their own wine cellar!). The staff are probably the nicest people I have ever met– they are helpful, honest, friendly, and just downright genuine people. They have never led me astray with their recommendations or suggestions, and have been amazingly honest about other selections.
Despite what other reviews have said, this place has never turned me down when I asked for Pliny the Elder. This beer is extremely limited, resulting in customers calling in to place an order for when it comes in. Given the limited quantity in each shipment, there is a chance that they may not be able to cater to your order. However, they will do their best and will remember you for the next shipment if they run out of the current one. It is not the fault of the staff that they cannot help you out– Russian Brewery just does not disseminate enough! Go take it up with them if you have an issue!
Overall, the staff, wine selection, and craft beer array will always be one of my favorite places, full of welcome smiles and a desire to help you have a good night. Century, thank you for being my haven, in good times and bad.

I don’t know the history of Ernie’s nor Century Wine & Spirits, but after a single visit I love this place.
I’ve been dog sitting in PA, actually a few minutes from here, and needed to load up on more beers. I was pleasantly surprised to see one so close, with good reviews too. Though keep an eye out for it. The parking lot only has one entrance, and based on the person behind me, the local residents are used to people parking in that weird street next to it.
When you enter, you get the best type of liquor store — big, but not a BevMo/​Total Wine style warehouse. The size of at least 2 – 3 corner liquor stores, and not crammed in either. There is plenty of space between areas, which gives it a much more relaxed atmosphere.
There is a humidor the left as you enter, and past that is the walk in wine room. Next to that are the cold wine and beer cases, and a standing beer case. On the opposite side is the liquor, and near the register the Scotch.
The staff instantly greeted me, and pointed me to the beer section, even pointing out a few items. I was impressed — definitely not the biggest beer selection, but what they have is solid. Plenty of Almanac Farm to Barrel series, even a bottle or two of some of the rare stuff from 2014 (except that I bought them) like Devil’s Advocate and Heirloom Pumpkin — the two best beer places near me are usually sold out of the most recent release Pluot, which they had plenty of here, so I nabbed what I could.
If I lived in PA, this would be a weekly destination, and I’ll probably load up again before I leave. But even with that, if I’m in Palo Alto, I would definitely stop here.

Bobby and Justin are like Jordan and Pippen!!! Haha. Awesome liquor store. Great wine selection and really friendly service.

i don’t drink alcohol but i found this place that sells lottery

Better than average beer selection, though the cashier (owner?) made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t plan to return.
First off, on the bright side, this place has a better than average selection of beer and wine for a liquor store, though it’s not nearly as good as somewhere like Beltramo. The prices are fair and in line with what I’d expect.
The first time I bought beer there, the cashier checked my ID and stared at it for longer than average. This is understandable, as I look young enough to be underage. He swiped my I.D., and then asked for other credit cards to verify I was who I said I was. He then started tapping on my ID and pointing at my face. I wasn’t quite sure what he was implying, but then he said «what happened to your hair» since I had long hair in the ID pic. I responded with «I was 16 when I took that pic, I buzzed my head». After a lot of dirty looks from the cashier, he finally sold me the beer and I went on my way.
I returned again a few days later to make another purchase and was met with a similar interrogation. This time, he concluded his interrogation with «I’ll sell you this, but I don’t believe you». I found this particularly rude. Why sell it to me if you don’t believe me? Who’s benefiting from this rude treatment and dirty looks?
I’ve never had problems using my ID before, it’s a standard California ID and is not damaged. It’s never once been questioned before this incident.
I don’t plan to return. I see that another user, Phillip B., had a negative experience with the owner as well. His experience seems believable to me based on my own.

I have been going to the store for almost 8 years. Back then the snacks used to be 85 cents, the chips used to be 99 cents but now the snacks are raised to $ 1. The clerks were nice and if I don’t have have enough money then I pay them back on my next visit. I don’t know any thing about wine but I will buy some alcohol there when I am eligible to drink.

This place is an absolute joke.
I won’t argue with the other reviewers regarding their respective reviews, but let me tell you mine…
I call up Century W&L looking for a specific and hard-​to-​find beer called Pliny the Elder, which they do carry. The guy tells me while, yes, they do carry it, he won’t however sell it to me.
Lol, what?
He goes on to explain that people call in about it but he will only sell it to Palo Alto residents. I tell him I live in Palo Alto, so he should sell me the beer. He tells me there’s a waiting list, babbles something incoherently and tells me to go to Whole Foods. So I ask him point blank, «why won’t you sell me the beer?» He says «okay, you wanna buy a bottle for a $ 100?» This shyster is trying to hustle me for a bottle of beer, lol.
I didn’t like dude’s tone, so I decided to pay him a visit in-​person. After getting to the store, I ask him to explain to me again what the problem is? He goes on to tell me a sob story of how people «from out of town buy all my stock.» Oh, what sad tale for a booze merchant to tell; that everyone wants to buy all his supply; am I missing something here? He said he has a reserve list for the beer, so I asked to see it and get on it. He says he can’t produce it.
Let’s be real, what the guy is doing is holding out his stock so people will pay a premium for the Pliny, maybe not a $ 100, but most definitely for something ridiculous.
If the owner (s) end up reading this and want to dispute any of this, please feel free to get at me through my Unilocal address.

I’ve driven by this place a few times now and never decided to go in. Which is weird considering my penchant for odd and dirty liquor stores. As much as this place is average for sodas, it makes up for hte booze selection. Lots of high end alcohol, decent sake selection. Nice folks that work here and it’s deceivingly large. Too bad they cant get their soft drinks to match the spirits, then it would be mega awesome.

Considering my Dukedom at this establishment, I thought it only be fair that I update my feelings towards this shop.
Being one of the few liquor stores in the Palo Alto area I naturally gravitate towards this specific store time and time again. I think over the years I’ve established a relationship with not only the store, but the employees at this fine establishment.
Always friendly, informational and helpful. Whether I’m confused over a cheap bottle of wine or looking to get a nice bottle of scotch these guys will always come around the counter to help me out.
Screw Safeway and Bev Mo! This store has some of the more rare items that aren’t so commercialized. Rare wines, Rare scotches and of course Rare beers!
No matter how insatiable your alcoholic appetite this place is sure to satisfy!
Stop Through!

The wine selection is nice, there’s a lot of liquor to choose. The guys are friendly and helpful, plus the parking ain’t bad.

I was walking down the street one day and hear someone yell «SUP FOO, WE GOT THEM TALL BOYZ» lol. This is all round the best store I’ve ever been to. They have an AMAZING wine selection of wine arranged by country and type. They also have HUGE selection of beer, and my favorite scotches.
They also have wonderful customer service. ⁵⁄₅ Recommend everyone check them out

best selection of whisky

This place is legit like a Corolla, Prius or Camry. I think the place is run by Asian gangsters but that’s alright since they sell me rum even though my card is expired (F U Safeway!)
They are very knowledgeable about their alcohol and can always point my cheap ass towards the grimiest/​cheap rum or brandy. They don’t stock King’s Bay rum which is a shame but Castillo is pretty legit. They also sell this one bottle that’s pink and looks like a dildo (my Chinese roommate wants to buy it soooo bad, he ruvs it)
There are lots of business cards attached to the front counter (if you see Steve Fang’s from Magnusssen Toyota, draw on it, he loves it)
Overall this place is beast and if you’re in the area drop buy to get your drank on!

Whenever my sister comes in to town, she always complains that we have no wine at our house. Tonight, out of desperation, she drove to this corner liquor store and came back with $ 150 worth of wine. She totally raved about the «cult» wine collection here and loved that they were reasonably priced. She also told me that the owner is very knowledgeable and was very appreciative of her keen interest in his wine inventory. I am a total wine retard so I don’t really know a Bordeaux from my ass but my sis is a big wino and can’t wait to raid this store every time she is in town.