Palm Springs Liquor

srandycarter

California

4.16/5  rDev -10%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Checked this place out because I was running errands in the area. It wasn't until I pulled in that I realized that I had been here years ago to buy a Utopias.

Booze and beer in spades! Place is not huge. However, tall, tall walls, filled to the ceiling with beer. You could get neck strain trying to see what is on the upper shelves. Lots of refrigerated. Lots of stuff I cannot get a Bevmo, or even some of my other favorite liquor stores in the area.

The guy said they even had a case of Kern's Citra, but was all taken in advance orders.

Picked up some favorites in St. Bernardus, etc, and a few I haven't tried. Even Pretty Things!

Did not break the bank, either. My kind of place.

02-08-2012 04:29:23 | More by srandycarter

DoubleJ

California

4.55/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Looks are deceiving. There's an oddly placed painted mural covering where the windows of the store should. It gives me the feeling that I'm at one of the many small Mexican joints around my house. Except I was at a liquor store. But with previous comments already known, I knew I shouldn't be fooled by a first impression.

Call this is medium sized store, but with an inventory that can rival the bigger stores, and then some. The aisles can seem small at times, especially when people are trying to get passed you as you admire the beer selection. Along the back walls is where you'll find the beer. Much of the beer is kept cold, and you can tell there is an effort to do so. There are even tiny Red Bull-like fridges housing bottles of beer around the store! While I did find a few dusty bottles, in general the bottles are clean and not too old.

Let's get to the meat and potatoes. Palm Springs Liquor is loaded with beer. In addition to what's in the coolers and on the shelf at room temp, don't forget to turn your head upwards, as there are additional bottles of beer located near the ceiling! There are literally hundreds of brands available, and among them are Knee Deep, Alpine, Bear Republic, Bootlegger's, Schneider Weiss, Reissdorf Kolsch, Black Diamond, Yeastie Boys(!), 8 Wired, Baladin, and Erdinger. Obviously there are more brands, but I won't spoil the rest of the list.

Another strong point is the service. I was approached by a few employees on the floor if I needed help, and the guy at checkout was easy to converse beerinese. Pricetags on the all the beers adds the finishing touch to an excellent service score.

Was it worth the trip? Totally! Now I need to find more excuses to drive out to east San Diego County.

01-29-2012 17:39:37 | More by DoubleJ

dimce

California

4.6/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

As the last reviewer stated, from the outside, does not look like much of a store. However once you go in, man is it packed! Yes, lots of beer, but jam packed.

A lot of beer selections, however too closely packed all into the store, narrow aisles w/stacks of beers on shelves. Diff. to get a good view of everything since your literally standing about a foot in front of everything esp. when other customers are walking past you.

Prices seem about on point not marked up.

Lots of sours, belgians, locals, some imports. The worker up front, average service, just bring your stuff up, pay and go. No small talk. Nonetheless, well worth going to, just watch your elbow room.

09-06-2011 04:00:06 | More by dimce

BdubleEdubleRUN

California

3.25/5  rDev -29.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Doesn't look like much from the outside, but when you get inside you can tell its definitly a beer place. The store is extremely crowded and almost difficult to navigate around the shelves of beer. Lots of beer in the coolers and on shelves, but the store did feel air conditioned.
On to my customer service problem. I had been calling every shop in SD to make sure I got some Citra, I got a call back Friday from Palm Springs and Holiday Wine, Palm Springs called first, I told them I was out of town and won't be back until Monday. The employee responded by telling me he will hold it for me, I was impressed with the offer and accepted. When Holiday called they offered to take my card info and place it in the back until I got there, I declined and told them to go ahead and put it on the shelf so someone who hasn't gotten it can have a chance, as I thought I had one at Palms. Get to Palms Monday after work and the guy behind the counter, who appears to be the beer guy, doesn't know anything about holding beer and tells me that Citra is long gone. I understand the demand of this beer and if they would have told me on the phone I'm sorry we can't hold it for you I would have understood. Don't lie to me, or if you made a mistake call me back and let me know.
They do have a very good selection of beer, but I doubt I will be shopping there anytime soon.

08-30-2011 13:33:46 | More by BdubleEdubleRUN

FARGO619

California

5/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Have been in here a few times in search of some htf stuff and they usually come through. This is a nice place and worth checking out. Their selection is wide and their prices are reasonable. Always surprised to find the things that I do. Their stouts are cooled and always next to something good. Love this place. Like a cool candy store for kids. Keep an eye out as their beers are spread out in a few coolers and on different shelves as well. Good variety and they have almost everything. Have fun in this place and go with cash 'cause you'll most likely see a few things that you need.

08-01-2011 19:50:49 | More by FARGO619

Cisco619

California

4.78/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Great shop. Great selection, helpful staff & reasonably priced. What more can you ask for? Definitely worth the trip. Definitely go when you have some time to kill cause you'll be here a while. It's easy to pass this place by as the facade is non descript, no idea that, as it's name sake, it's an oasis. I routinely find things I haven't seen on shelves for a while. That alone makes it worth the trip to me. I really like the environment, no stuffy beer geekery. Just friendly people who are more than willing to lend a hand. Stop reading. Go there. Be merry.

07-19-2011 09:38:15 | More by Cisco619

badboyrsl84

California

4.88/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This store is the best bottle shop in east county San Diego. I love coming here just to browse and most of the time I can't leave empty handed. The bottles selection is one of the best and the pricing is beautiful. Very very reasonable. the guys in charge have always been super nice and are always willing to help me out if I'm looking for something. I love that I can come here and get bottles sold out in most places. I almost feel like writing this review will kill my little secret. I hope not .

05-16-2011 22:20:02 | More by badboyrsl84

bs870621345

New Jersey

4.74/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Went here because of a recommendation from a guy at the PtY tapping last night...so glad I did

Its a liquor store jammed full of beer. Mostly everything is in coolers and there is really no rhyme or reason to most placement, so spend time looking around.

Quality was great. Saw some RR sours and some other things and asked if there were more and got my fill.

The person helping me was great, very helpful and went digging and looking for all kinds of things.

Selection is vast. Lots of sours, belgians, locals, and things of all sorts. Its worth the trip 100%.

Its a short walk from the trolley orange line, but bring a large backpack or something.

03-16-2011 21:09:09 | More by bs870621345

domtronzero

California

4.7/5  rDev +1.7%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Lots of bottles, most of them in coolers away from sunlight. Some more bottles up above on the racks. Great selection. Nothing too hard to find, but it is a little hidden gem that carries Alpine, Russian River, Lost Abbey, as well as Deschutes and a great selection of Belgians. Prices are reasonable, nothing noticeably marked up. The guys working are really nice and some of them know a little bit about beer. I can almost always count on them getting the slightly harder to find releases such as Dissident, Lost Abbey, and others. Definitely worthy of my money.

01-10-2011 05:08:56 | More by domtronzero

sise

California

5/5  rDev +8.2%
quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I had driven by this place before and didn't think anything of it -- the bright blue exterior with colorful art made me think it was just another beer store. Husband said he had heard good things, so we went on in. Came in expecting to find the usual local Stone and Green Flash -- was amazed to find a GROWLER of Alpine's Hoppy Birthday hiding in plain sight. The growler was not labled, but we had to know what it was. Then, we heard the magical words -- "It's Hoppy Birthday!" and it was all over. New favorite beer store! Beers as far as the eye can see, and all the staff that we encountered were genuinely friendly and helpful, unlike some big chain beer stores *cough*bevmo*cough*. If you're in the area, DEFINITELY come here. You will NOT be disappointed. Great selection of Russian River and Lost Abbey. We'll be back soon!

10-30-2010 23:37:06 | More by sise