Palm Springs Liquor

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

d0ggnate

California

4.2/5  rDev -9.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

As others have mentioned, Palm Springs Liquor is certainly a hidden gem. Neatly tucked away in the far side of La Mesa, Palm Springs has an abundant and surprisingly unique selection of bottles. Unlike most shops in San Diego, I found Palm Springs to have bottles that others just don't have. As I browsed the cooler doors, I found local favorites, Belgians, limited releases and many other great beers. Choosing just a few was difficult, but I managed by telling myself there will be a next time. If you're in East County and are looking for something specific or just want to mix it up, I would definitely recommend Palm Springs Liquor. They just might have what you're looking for and more.

10-09-2009 03:29:28 | More by d0ggnate

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

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

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

gerrick

California

4.8/5  rDev +3.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $

This place is a hidden gem. Almost all the beer here is in coolers so you can enjoy right way. I have found some bottles here that everyone else was out of and it was 100% fresh. Daniel helped me out twice so far and was great. The prices are fantastic. I think they use a basic cost plus model instead of simply raising the prices of the rare stuff. The overall selection is great. It is not a big store but they do have a lot of beer. It does not look like much on the outside or the inside for that matter.

05-12-2010 01:44:37 | More by gerrick

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

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

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

Radiodred

California

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

Man if your are looking for beer in the area, you don't need to go anywhere else. This Son and Father spot has a great selection of local SD brew and just about every great micro brewery too. The prices are awesome....most bottle shops have a huge mark up, but not here, they are just spreading the love. Just went in there recently for some supplication (Russian River, Parabola (Firestone), Just outstanding (Kern River), World Wide Stout (Dogfish head), and more. Most places have one fridge of good stuff, but this place has great stuff in every nook and cranny of the joint. Quick to deliver the limited stuff and the classic stuff always in stock. La mesa and east county in general used to have to go to Santee or SD to get anything good, but now we have a great spot in our backyard. Thanks for everything guys. Your new loyal repeat customer...Gabe

06-09-2010 23:14:17 | More by Radiodred