The Duck Blind

Great service for our company party! They gave us good wine recommendations and stuck to our price range. They easily accommodated last minute changes to our order. They delivered as promised, on time. I knew I could count on them and we’ll definitely place our next big order with them.

This is a feel good, memory-​lane local wine store. It was around when I was in junior high in the 1980s and likely before that.
You will spend more obviously than at a store like Bevmo, but there are sales and for its location it’s pretty fair.
People are loyal to the Duck Blind for a reason. Briggs is gone (Brentwood Country Mart on San Vicente), but the Duck Blind remains. I hope it never closes. Montana Ave is all but unrecognizable to me and anyone my age or older (43).

Average liquor store. Nothing really special about their selection. I never went there to buy beer or wine though, just the occasional soda and Snickers bar. I felt safer in there than I did in any 7-​Eleven.

Less than a block from Father’s Office. They do stock some Anchorage Brewing and Prairie so definitely a legit bottle shop. Staff was playing games on their phone the whole time. Would probably stop by occasionally to see if they got in more special releases. Saw some special edition Stone brewing stuff in here as well. We thought the markup was a bit high though.

$ 16 for a six pack of Ballast Point IPA? $ 14 for Sierra Nevada? The only thing worse than the Montana Ave prices is the inconsiderate a-​hole who smokes inside the store.
A big hearty f you from me and my asthma.

Walked in to get a good recommendation on a new bottle of Zin. I explained to the guy I wanted a «berry forward but more on the dry side, in a good price range, Zinfindel.» The only recommendation the shop worker could give was a $ 30 bottle, with no other contenders. I decided to splurge, and purchased the bottle. It’s was good, but not great, and definitely not worth the price tag. Probably won’t be asking for help there again, and will just stick to Vivino :/

This place has an impressive craft beer selection. Its a little bit out of the way for me, but it was nice to see the Brent wood/​Santa Monica area. They have a fair sized parking lot and the staff is friendly. The guy behind the counter seemed genuinely into beer.
I came across this place on Russian River’s website, they are a Southern California distributor shop. I was in search of some Pliny the Elder, while they didn’t have any, they had some damnation. I ended up getting the new Track #08 by Lost Abbey a bourbon barrel aged brew. Only thing I didn’t like was that they don’t list the prices on the bottles, and they are a bit over priced; I understand given the location.

A Santa Monica icon for over 50 years, this business harkens «days gone by» with no real improvements to the property since it’s launch, except perhaps the inventory.
Most of this store is dedicated to wine, rows and rows of it. I’ve not shopped here for wine other than picking up a bottle to bring to one of the few BYO restaurants on Montana, but they do have a good selection to suit most folks’ taste. I do find Da Blind to be pricier than other shops so I wouldn’t buy to hold, but in a pinch they have a bunch of wines.
Boasting the largest selection of American whiskeys and single-​malt scotches in Santa Monica along with a good supply of other spirits and mixers, this could be your only stop for that signature drink binge or last minute cocktail party needs. I needed Drambuie one evening and the DB was the closest place to have it in stock — thanks for nothing, Pavilions.
One of the best aspects of the Duck Blind, the wall of beer. So many big names, domestics, imports, micros and a great selection of craft and seasonal beers; and tall-​boys (larger than 12oz) this is a lazy beer drinker’s best first stop. Sadly no kegs available — try Jerry’s Liquor on Wilshire and Yale.
Nutshell: pretty good hours (posted at
) along with free local delivery, $ 35 minimum, the Duck Blind is less obnoxious, a better value and more available* than Fireside just up the street.
I live really close by, so in a pinch the Duck Blind gets my business — plus, gotta support local businesses lest we’ll get another dry cleaner or coffee chain.
*longer hours, lower prices, more convenient parking

They have a fairly extensive collection here (maybe one of the best in the area), so no complaints there. However, we went to ask for some advice on wine, and we wanted to know if they had any suggestions for wines similar to our favorite wine (a Pinot Noir from Sonoma). If the dude had just said that he wasn’t familiar with the wine we were talking about (even though they sold it in their store), that would have been one thing. Instead, he fumbled around with us for a little while and suggested to us that maybe we should try something else from Sonoma. You know, since that’s such a small region with wines that are all very similar. Another time we called them looking for a specific wine that was a Rose of Pinot Noir, and they seemed completely confused by our request, asking us repeatedly if we were looking for a rose or a pinot noir.
If you know what you’re looking for or can figure it out yourself, the selection at Duck Blind is great. However, if you’re looking for a place that can give you some guidance in your selection, this is probably not the place you’re looking for.

It’s a liquor store, friends!
Decent wine selection, including some rather fancy bottles. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the Hippo Campe bottle with a seahorse on the label: she’s a neurologist.
Probably paying a buck or 2 premium for convenience.
Easy parking lot allowed us to get this bottle right on the way to a party, and the whole process took 3 – 4 minutes.

This place is a staple of Santa Monica and has been in Santa Monica since before I was born.
I drink craft beers and the Duck Blind has the best selection in Santa Monica. They also have a great selection of wines.
People who complain about the service must be real jerks, because the people that work here are exceptionally friendly.
The prices are slightly higher than Von’s for the stuff they both carry, but you don’t have to wait in long lines like you do at the grocery store. Their selection is WAY better than Fireside and the service is better too.
These guys know their alcohol… Thanks Maurice!

Extremely rude staff and ridiculous prices. Wine bottles are dusty and look like they haven’t been touched in years. Avoid this place

They should be SHUT down by the better business bureau! They sell old wines that have gone bad at huge mark-​ups. The sales staff is very rude with horrible attitudes and nasty comments to their customers. Boycott this store to shut it down. Go to Fireside Cellars at 14^th and Montana for better quality and service.

A bit pricey, but well worth the extra few bucks for helpful staff, good selection, and to support local business! GREAT whiskey selection.

Good selection of craft beer and liquor. However, the staff were just plain rude and that made it a very unpleasant experience. Happened twice. Won’t be back any time soon unfortunately

Beer drinker exclusively
If youre from out of town and looking for some great California craft beer, this place is WONDEFUL.
After having a few at Fathers Office, we walked over here and grabbed a ton of beer. Scored beers from The Bruery, Crooked Stave, jolly pumpkin and many more. Selection is not mind blowing, but the variety is definitely there. Something for everyone.
Card bounced at register (just used across street and didnt inform the bank) but the guys working here were super cool about it.
Thanks!

I love this place for craft beer! I have been able to find some elite bottles in their coolers! Namely Mikkeler, Russian River, The Bruery, Dogfish Head, etc. This place gets plenty of good craft beer. If you talk to the attendants, they might be able to hint you when their next shipment of… say, Alpine Brewery’s Nelson or Russian River’s Pliny the Elder or Supplication!

the duck blind liquor it been there before i lived on montana ave in the 1958, it was there befor my mom had her daycare on 919 montana ave, duckblind thank you for staying in business, when i came home from the nam in 1971 i was glad eto see it still there, i lived at 919 montana ave now is a real estate office for over 40 yrs. mothers kitchen is also that little glass brick structure on montana between 9 th & 10 th duck blind on 11^th, thank you.

Very nice neighborhood liquor store with a great selection of beers and wines with both high priced and some lower priced choices. We bought a great bottle of Decoy Chardonnay to take to a friend’s house. Prices are reasonable and service is super friendly.

Really nice, helpful people! However, this is really a lame selection of wines. There’s definitely a business opportunity on Montana for a premium wine store!