DownTown Wine & Spirits

BeerSox

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +14%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Near Davis square on the corner. I've passed this place a few times but had no idea of the quality of the selection until I read about it then asked my sister (a resident of Somerville).

All the beer is toward the back. There are two rows of coolers that carry most of the beer selection: cases, 750s, bombers, six packs, and some individual 12oz bottles. There is also an area in the very back that has bombers and 750s of the rare/special varieties, and probably repeats of what's available in the cooler. There was also a special shelf dedicated to very rare beers that you would find for $15 or more. I'm sure just about any beer available in MA is in this store. More recently I found another row that occupies both sides at the back wall of the store as you head in, to the right of the aforementioned back section. There I found a lot more beer, all singles (mostly of 22oz or 750ml size).

The staffer in the back was happy to answer any questions. She was a little busy at the moment though stocking the shelves. She seemed very knowledgable as well. I've heard this place is pricey but I walked out with a full case of bombers for around $60, which seemed decent to me. The back of the store is a little dim but I don't mind that considering it's beer back there.

If you make a trip to this place make sure you have a dolly and a truck so you can handle all the beer they have here. If you live in Somerville or Cambridge, I can't imagine why this wouldn't be a regular stop. As it's within walking distance of my sister's place, it's perfect for me.

06-08-2008 19:53:12 | More by BeerSox

JMFBOSTON

Massachusetts

4.01/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4.75 | $$$

Offering this feedback from recent visit during a Wednesday afternoon visit (2/2013). New management/owners? The beer shelves were being restocked , staff very put out looking but in their defense the aisles were full with recent deliveries that they were trying to stock and everyone looked overwhelmed . Check out service was uncertain of what to do and everything about the atmosphere seemed in flux.

Always found hard to find brands ( Belgian , Australia/NZ, UK, Germany) that many stores do not offer. Relatively decent pricing in the past,. Prices seemed high during recent visit and far fewer selections , again new management or cleaning out past prime stock? US craft brands well represented . One of the best selections in Boston/Cambridge Area. Hope whatever is going on gets resolved quickly.

02-23-2013 01:04:02 | More by JMFBOSTON

CAPorter

Massachusetts

4.64/5  rDev +13.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I have been going to this store for years. Although some of the staff has changed, I always try to get to know the current beer buyers and they are always happy to meet someone passionate about beer. They are among the few stores around that offer cellared/aged beer, and they make sure to try it before offering it to the public so they don't sell something that went bad. Their beer selection is as good as any you'll find in the area outside of Julio's which is quite a hike from Boston. Some folks have mentioned the service being a little aloof, but every time I walk in, they greet me with a smile and tell me about the cool new stuff they got in. If they haven't, it's because they are talking to another customer, which is exactly what they should be doing! Their prices aren't cheap but fair, and if you were to compare them to Ball Sq., they are cheaper across the board. The guys at Downtown have definitely been an asset for this fan of quality craft beer. While, I may differ in my personal taste than some of the staff, I find it to be a strength since I get to become more aware of things that might not be on my radar. They are also good at allocating the rare stuff so that some tool doesn't walk out with the all of it before anyone else gets a chance.
One person mentioned something about the beer being past its prime, I usually get stuff that has just come in, so no problems for me!

11-27-2012 22:52:59 | More by CAPorter

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

what bothers me about this review is that the service counts equal to the selection, thus the overall grade here will be dragged down by a component i feel shouldn't have as much weight as it does... to me selection should carry more clout than service; no question the latter is nice, but c'mon. i'd rather have options - that's what'll keep me coming back.

and i'll definitely be back to downtown wine and spirits. recommended by other MA BAs in the wake of PHP closing, i was hoping not to have wasted my time (davis square being a bit of a hike from brookline). i wasn't. awesome selection with a breadth of options from the major national breweries to locals and one of the better belgian selections i've seen in the boston area. picked up ithaca flower power; both samael's and old ruffian from avery; weyerbacher's 14, quad, and double simcoe; he'brew jewbelation fourteen; founders double trouble; voodoo-vator; pannepot old fisherman's (reserva); and some stuff from southern tier. much more to be had - could have kept going but was limited by what i could carry on the T (and an impatient wife).

as for the service, it wasn't that it was bad, just not particularly memorable either way. was neither approached for nor sought help. guys at the register were friendly enough, commented on a couple of my picks. as mentioned, to me this is forgivable. i'd prefer having a decent selection - i can choose for myself. with marty's and now PH provisions closing, my beer treks are getting farther...

(originally reviewed on: 01-05-2011)

06-14-2012 16:14:30 | More by BostonHops

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.86/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

We stopped in here on Saturday night on the way home from ACBF for souvenirs. Nice selection of brews available for sale tucked into the back end of the liquor store. Lots of great micro labels to the left with world offerings to the right. I was able to find some nice items to take home with me. Service seemed no existent, but I really wasn't in need of any. Seems a bit pricy even by Boston standards. I would go back if I was in the area, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to shop here.

06-03-2012 21:58:56 | More by johnnnniee

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | $$$$

I go here all the time, awesome selection including stuff you really won't find elsewhere else. But one risk of awesome selection is you develop very old beer. I have purchased beers I know I enjoy that have obviously expired. But knowing that, you can find rare high ABV and kick ass sour beers here.

I have rarely felt like I got any kind of deal (w/ the exception of the occasional mis-marked price. Everything is about 10-30% more expencive than I find it anywhere else. But like I said I go here all the time.... and the selection rivals any other store in the area.

I have been overcharged more than once which totally sucks. And it's kind of degrading asking for money back. Also I have never found the staff helpful. Especially if I need help.

03-16-2012 18:02:27 | More by mlazzaro

beerman999999

New York

4.16/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I lived in Somerville for four years, so this is my regular place. It has a deceptively large collection of beers. Last time I asked them, I think they said they had 1100 different bottles. They have a great foreign selection of beers, but you never really know how long they've been sitting there (if there's no bottling date), because there are so many different harder to find imports. I like the back of the store with a decent selection of solid beers like Founders, Alesmith, Lost Abbey, The Bruery, etc.

08-09-2011 00:22:10 | More by beerman999999

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

3.86/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

downtown wine and spirits.. as many have said the wine selection seems very impressive (i like wine but i dont know a lot about good wineries etc to personally say how the selection is but many friends who can have said its quite good).. the beer selection is very good here particularly when it comes to six packs. the bomber selection is good too but not nearly as extensive as the six packs and they seem to focus on having a lot of a particular brewery instead of a few things from a bunch of breweries. i have noticed also that for some of these items they have collected quite a bit of dust so purchase with caution. ive generally gotten good service here but did once get the 'i couldnt be bothered to assist you' attitude but that was a one-off so i wont say that you will get the same. pricing is a bit expensive compared to other places but it is smack in davis and does have a great selection so a buck more for a beer seems understandable. not a place i go to often but im never disappointed when i do drop by.

03-08-2011 18:03:41 | More by celticfutblclub

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

I was passing by after having dinner in the area and I was in need of some good beer to ring in the new year. I walked in the front door and from that view all I could see was a good wine selection and a few rows of spirits with a small area for beer. I almost thought this was going to end up being a mistake. I was wrong. Once I actually managed to get to the beer section I saw that is went on into another section filled with many good beers. I wondered for some time looking for just the right beer for the new year and with so much to choose from it was taking more time then I expected. The service wasn't bad. I did get some help finding one beer I was looking for in particular that was a local and sometimes hard to find. The prices were good and I will be seeking this place out whenever I find myself in the area again.

01-12-2011 05:45:49 | More by Duhast500

zackcg

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Downtown has an amazing craft selection. But when I visit I tend to make my selections from the coolers only. A lot of the shelf-kept options sit and sit and sit, now the 22oz rack never has dust on it, but too many of the 12oz stuff for the mix six options are just completely faded and not worth chancing in my opinion. Stick with the fridges and or bottled on dates and youre in the clear.

One thing I will say that may seem contrary is that Ive had only positive customer service at downtown. One time a girl rang up a single 120z as 6-pack and I didnt realize until a couple days later, I called and they made it right without conflict. They have also acknowledged some of my inquiries so attentively that they have offered to contact distributors directly to make certain brews available (i never took them up on it though).

If you're in davis sq looking to pick up, downtown is worth the a pit stop, otherwise stick with the great bars in the area.

10-13-2010 17:42:24 | More by zackcg