Plaza Liquors & Fine Wine

Plaza Liquors & Fine WinePlaza Liquors & Fine Wine
Plaza Liquors & Fine WinePlaza Liquors & Fine Wine
Store

2642 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, Arizona, 85719-3102
United States

(520) 327-0452 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.46
Reviews:
37
Ratings:
47
pDev:
11.88%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of whitewizard
Reviewed by whitewizard from Arizona

3.01/5  rDev -32.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
a bit dated with the rise of bottle shop quality around town. very cramped, hard to shop. Limited cold boxes. Other shops can offer exclusivity where this location feels like it has missed the boat. Fine if you live in the area or within walking distance. Would not go out of my way to visit. Guys behind the counter were genuine enough and knew about products.
Aug 30, 2019
Photo of Dr_Fox
Rated by Dr_Fox from Utah

4.14/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Love that the let you buy singles out of the 6 pack. I didn't find anything wildly rare here, but they did have a good selection for Tucson.
Oct 17, 2015
Photo of MTBDesertGnome
Rated by MTBDesertGnome from Arizona

4.97/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Great local establishment that's been here forever. Knowledge of beers is awesome, and their recommendations are spectacular.
Dec 26, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Lobina from Arizona

Nov 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.3 by EyePeeAyBryan from Arizona

Nov 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.52 by hhollins11 from Arizona

Sep 26, 2014
Photo of UlfAndreas
Reviewed by UlfAndreas from District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +12.1%
True some bombers may be priced a dollar or two extra here. But to someone living by plaza without a car that's totally worth it. The selection is just fine. I've been lucky to always get my hands on the bruery bottles here as well as friends grabbing bcbs.

Super awesome friendly and helpful employees. I'd love to find a liquor store like this in DC.
Sep 24, 2014
Photo of ONovoMexicano
Reviewed by ONovoMexicano from New Mexico

2/5  rDev -55.2%
I probably just come in at all the wrong times and that's why I never can find any beer worth buying. Or I'm just too cheap, since I'm not willing to pay several dollars more for a sixer or bomber here.

Or it could be that, when coming from the craft-beer-distribution-deprived New Mexico, I come into a well-reputed liquor store thinking I'm going to hit the jackpot and walk out with a big haul and yet, I somehow leave here empty-handed.

Here's why:

- There are lots of beers in here (yes, I only care about the beer) collecting dust on shelves. They're undesirable to locals and sit there for ages and oxidize and lose flavors or morph into messes and unsuspecting buyers pick them up and get a deteriorated product. That pisses me off that a quality liquor store would do something like that. I expect such from Total Wine and BevMO, but not a local store looking to survive off of little things like customer service.

- The selection here has always been awfully weak for me. Again, I want beers that Arizona gets that New Mexico doesn't, and yet there's really very little here to get excited about. I'll let the dollars talk here, as in, when I came in here, I found nothing worth buying and spent $0. The next day I went to Tap & Bottle and spent $50+. One place had rarity, hard-to-get, and highly-rated beers and the other had shelf turds and the same selection a Trader Joe's might have. Oh, and one is a lot more expensive and doesn't allow you to drink a beer right on the premises. You figure out which one.

I willingly give away money for beer all the time. To a fault. To the point of jeopardizing my daughter's future. But Plaza has shown me the path to saving money and it involves their beer selection and prices.
Aug 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Chilly_E from Arizona

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by MikeyDFresh from Arizona

Feb 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 22, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by Punkinheid from Arizona

Nov 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by CuriousMonk from District of Columbia

Nov 19, 2013
Photo of DrinkBeerThinkBeer
Reviewed by DrinkBeerThinkBeer from Arizona

5/5  rDev +12.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
There is a reason this place has been voted Tucson's Best Liquor Store by the Tucson Weekly ever since they started ranking the best shops in town to get your fix. This place is the ultimate wonderland for drinkers of every caliber, be they new to the game and interested in dipping into the world of craft beer, or seasoned aficionados searching for a special bottle of tequila to impress that well-traveled friend who swears he's already had the best tequila in the world just because he went to Puerto Vallarta one time.

But really, I go here for the beer. While "build a 6-pack" beer sales are quickly becoming a popular offering at chain liquor stores, Plaza Liquors has been doing it longer than the big-box stores (don't go there!) have even been in town. With a regular flow of new hard-to-find and flagship craft and import beers finding their way onto the shelves each week, it's a borderline insult to call Plaza anything less than Tucson's craft beer mecca. Only the freshest beer makes it into their inventory, and when you catch word that your favorite brewery just released that amazing seasonal you have been waiting all year to get your hands on, rest assured that it'll appear in Plaza's fridges in no time!

What's more is that the people working here are amazing human beings. Mark is one of the friendliest guys you'll ever meet, and if you happen to be a Star Trek nerd, his trekkie paraphernalia is bound to keep you entertained as you stand in line (and if you go any time around rush hour, there will most certainly be a line!) after hunting for that wine, spirit, or beer you only recently caught wind of through the grapevine. Can't decide what to buy after perusing the sea of alcoholic nectar contained in his warmly-lit shop? Ask him for a suggestion and he'll surely find you the perfect bottle to match the occasion and budget you have in mind! And ever couple weeks, Mark writes up a flyer detailing Plaza news, new inventory, and the latest neighborhood and Tucson-area activism and happenings.

Brandy is the sweetest gal you'll ever buy booze from, guaranteed. She'll always steer you in the right direction if you're looking for a recommendation, and her knowledge of sour beers is unparalleled! And after a long day at work, her smile and sprightly personality are bound to lift your spirits and set the tone for an enjoyable evening at home with your drink of choice.

Stout is THE guy to go to with your craft beer inquiries. Can't decide if you really want to blow $15 on that bomber despite the 90+ Beer Advocate rating? Ask this man for his thoughts and if he's had the beer (in all likelihood, he either has or can tell you more about it than the bottle can), you'll quickly know if it's the right beer for you. And once you become a Plaza Liquors regular like countless patrons before you have, you'll surely find yourself striking up conversations about all things fermentable with this guy each time you drop in.

In fact, you can rest assured that every soul working at Plaza Liquors has nothing but your satisfaction and happiness at the top of their priorities. By creating such a warm, familial environment, Mark has built a business staffed by people who seem to truly love their job and frequented by customers who are obliged to pay a small premium for what amounts to a joyous experience and the honor of being dubbed a "Plaza Regular."

Down the rabbit hole you shall go the first time you open the door of Plaza Liquors, and out you shall come a more enlightened consumer and a proud supporter of Tucson's finest liquor store.

Cheers!
Apr 19, 2013
Photo of AmandaLu
Reviewed by AmandaLu

4.93/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Plaza is a great locally-owned store. They have an impressive collection of craft beers, and the staff are super friendly. They are also dog-friendly, and have treats for my pup every time we come in! You can mix your own six-pack, and beers are individually-priced, which makes it easy to find the price point you're looking for.
Jan 13, 2013
Photo of DrinkSlurm
Reviewed by DrinkSlurm from New York

4.3/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Stopped by this place on a business trip after reading reviews here on BA.
Its in a small plaza...kind of hidden, but good parking and somewhat easy to find.
Atmosphere - its a liquor store...cool beerk geeks behind the counter
Nice selection of brews...lots of odell, New Belgium, local Arizona, epic, left hand, lost abbey, and rogue. I bought a Fantome Boo! - $15, an odell Mountain Standard single, and a Bells New Coast Old Ale ~ $2.50 each. You can mix singles (awesome for travellers) and apparently you get a discount if you pick up anything over a case...
So nice selecton, not huge, but well stocked and thoughtful, good nice service, and somewhat reasonable/average prices. Nice spot.
Dec 10, 2012
Photo of DonDirkA
Reviewed by DonDirkA from Arizona

4.16/5  rDev -6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
The service here seems nice... if you're a regular. If you're a guy like me who only stops in every few months because he lives too far away, they could care less. When they finally ask if I need help it has more of that "We're watching you" vibe than that "I'm here to help" vibe.

The selection is pretty awesome, the bombers need more rotation since about half of what I saw here the other day was the same as what I saw when I was last here like.. 6 months ago?

I still really want to like this place though. Their true selection lies in the singles they have in the back of the store where you can make your own six pack. That's some good stuff.

I said they're reasonable because they basically compare to other craft beer places. A little more expensive than a Total Wine or BevMo, but that is expected if you want to shop local. And honestly, that doesn't bother me. They are close to the same prices as my usual store (Magee Road Liquors), but they have a different type of selection. Its cool, so if you're in town or in the area, its worth checking out.
Jun 13, 2012
Photo of TXhomebrewer
Reviewed by TXhomebrewer from Texas

4.8/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Stopped in while in town for my sisters graduation.

The staff was awesome and helpful. For having such a small space, i was supprised at the very nice selection of beers they had. You can even purchase singles! Needless to say, I found quite a few bottles to take back to Texas that I can't get there.

Overall the place is awesome and I'm glad I looked up bottle shops in the area and choose this one based off reviews I found here on BA. Do yourself a favor and check it out! You won't be disappointed.
May 13, 2012
Photo of uawildcat
Reviewed by uawildcat from New York

4.8/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
I would have never found this place if it wasn't for beer advocate. It is a tiny little shop with signs that only say Plaza in large maroon letters. I had passed the place many times and wrote it off as a classless joint to pick up packs of Budweiser. Needless to say I was wrong.

First off, the best thing about Plaza is that you can buy single bottles at the same price as an individual bottle in a 6-pack.

When I walked in I was overwhelmed with the selection of beer and wine. Especially the selection of local beer and wine. If you want something from AZ this is the place to go. That being said, the store is quite small with little room to walk around and browse on a Friday night.

The staff is very friendly, knowledgable, and willing to help you out.

Selection of certain breweries seems to fluctuate throughout the year. Sometimes beers aren't always placed in the singles fridge, so ask if it seems like they are out of something!

Basically, if you are in Tucson, you can't go wrong by going to this place.
May 05, 2012
Photo of tchaos
Reviewed by tchaos from Florida

3.66/5  rDev -17.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
I was really looking to get here on a recent trip to Tucson.

True to other reviews, there is a small amount of parking, and you are probably luck to stand two people side-by-side in any row inside.

Best thing i liked about the store was, although shelves are stocked with 4 and 6-packs of bottles and cans, everything is priced and available as a single.

Bomber selection seems reasonable for the size of the store, but it was much smaller than I expected, save for the Uinta brews.

I may have come on a bad day, but the staff seemed more interested in talking to each other than in assisting me with my purchase. A few specific items I asked about were noted to be in stock, but then turned out to be missing. They have also recently dropped Allagash (rightly) for repeated past-date beer.
That said, I did pick up 5 things I can't get in FL to toss in the suitcase for the return trip home.

I am glad that the store has a loyal local following -- I fear that having Trader Joes, Whole Foods, BevMo, and TotalWine, all within a couple of miles may convince many people to purchase craft elsewhere.
Oct 01, 2011
Photo of gregshead
Reviewed by gregshead from California

4.34/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
A: Typical liquor store but more beer sections and good craft brews in the fridges than most places I've seen in my travels.

Q: Lots to like with all of the beer in the fridge. Bummer that some beers like IPAs are left out but I guess there is only so much fridge space.

Service: People are super helpful. I've done phone orders for my father in law to pick up on his trip out and they have been super helpful.

Selection: This is where thie place really shines. Bell's, Odells, Left Hand, Bison plus a good amount of CA stuff too. This place really tries

Value: Some things are cheaper than in CA other things are a dollar or two more than you might want. However, buy 4 6-packs, get 10% off your order. Pulls it back into the reasonable range.
Jul 05, 2011
Photo of fcbaker49
Reviewed by fcbaker49 from Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Plaza is my favorite beverage store in Tucson. It's small, crowded, and not especially convenient, but being inside you feel you're at the core of something. Virtually every inch of this place is stuffed with good wine, alcohol, or tasty beer. Any area that's not, seems to be an homage to Star Trek. The beer selection ranges wide from rows of single bottle craft beers, to a decent selection of British and Germans, to Belgian specialty bombers. Sometimes you find quite unusual stuff. An area of the labyrinth in the rear has floor to ceiling six packs of various craft beers and imports. The staff is great and will talk to you at length on any product. Periodically, the store hosts wine and beer tastings.

I admit it's not 21st century efficiency, nor is it the lowest prices, but I somehow feel good about buying something here. If you would rather buy a book at the local mystery bookstore rather than paying 43 cents less at Borders, this could be the store for you.
Jun 21, 2011
Photo of t0rin0
Reviewed by t0rin0 from California

4.28/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Visited 3/3/2011 during Ratebeer Winter Gathering.

Located in a small dusty shopping center next to a planned parenthood (or some such place). I got a kick out of that.

The majority of the floor space is liquor and wine but the back wall and the whole row of fridges are full of beer. One set of shelves is dedicated to Bells. A couple of the fridges are full of AZ and NM beer. The rest is an interesting mix of imported beer and random breweries that distribute to AZ. I found most of the Crooked Line series from Uinta on the shelf but only picked up the barleywine.

The service was nice and very grateful to us for bringing in a dozen customers, though I suspect it had something to do with knowing that they'd be getting rated. Either way, they are nice people.

Prices were good on most items ($1-$2 for single 12 oz's) and not so good on other items ($12-$15 for the Crooked Line beers). For what ever reason there was a 10% off for beer that day.

Would definitely go back for some new ticks, or for some Bell's.
Mar 08, 2011
Photo of TheSSG
Reviewed by TheSSG from Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
I quite like Plaza.

It has a laid-back atmosphere. And it's local.

They have a really nice selection (Don't let the outside size fool you). If you're looking for some 22oz Bombers, this is the place you need to be.

They may be the only store in Tucson that PROUDLY specializes in bier. Most places peddle the hard stuff and focus on cheap adjuncts in the bier section. Plaza stocks craft and import bier with pride and purpose.

The staff is always fun and helpful.

I like to go during the week when the sign says 10% off! Then I mix and match a 6-pack, and can usually get out for under $9 (which is reasonable).

This should definitely be one of the most frequented places by any BeerAdvocate Tucsonans.

Edit: Moving away from Tucson, I realized just how cool of a place this is.
I miss my regular conversations with the staff about bier, and about whatever else is just going on. It's the quintessential local business.
While the store does not have the *ABSOLUTE* largest selection I've ever seen, their selection is still stellar. Not only do they stock an excellent array, but that buy-by-the-bottle attitude is something I still miss each and every day.

From when I originally wrote this review until now, Plaza had transitioned into my PRIMARY bier source. At least once a week, I got a mixed 6-pack of whatever the new season brought in.
Even somewhere as EPIC as Discount liquors in Milwaukee, while having 3X the selection (and Plaza is no slouch!) lacks the vibe and the great, friendly service.

I SERIOUSLY miss having this place as my local go-to store.
Oct 24, 2010
Photo of JordonHoltzman
Reviewed by JordonHoltzman from New York

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
This place is a gold-mine, too bad I was only there on vacation. The selection was phenomenal, and I received help by one of the employees and I was very satisfied with his recommendations. They have the mix a sixer option which is great, and every bottle is individually priced. They had pretty deep selections from the breweries that they carried too. For a small store, it was packed with a ton of brews and, for anyone interested, it appeared that they had a good selection of wines (but I don't know anything about wine, so I'm just inferring). I only wish there were 50 places like plaza liquors that I knew about and were near me!
Jan 12, 2010
Photo of mulder1010
Reviewed by mulder1010 from Australia

4.5/5  rDev +0.9%
Q-- Amazing selection of stuff for such a small place!!! It is a bit crowded but it is very well organized and put together.

S-- Simply put.... The best in Tucson. Staff is knowledgeable and willing to talk. They know beer, wine and liquor.

S-- not as good as bevmo but almost on par. Excellent wine selections and the beer is muy bueno. Once you have been in the store a few times you figure out the layout and how it works. Beer selection is excellent and layed out very well. really like how they stress a mix a 6 pack in that store.

V-- Hours are the only issues with this store. If you live in the foothills or on the east side of Tucson it can be difficult to get there but it is worth it. Amazing selection for such a small footprint.
Oct 09, 2009
Photo of ocelot2500
Reviewed by ocelot2500 from Maryland

4.41/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Saw this place on beerfly and thought I would give it a try. There is a big selection, so expect to spend a little time to find what you want. Most of what they sell are singles for a make your own six pack type deal, but they do have some bombers, 750s and six packs. That being said, the amount of singles they have are more than plenty. There were about five coolers filled various singles. Every bottle was individually priced and the prices were fairly reasonable if you extrapolate them to six pack prices. The staff was friendly, and one told me a place to find some glassware in town. The beer guy did not seem to be there, but somebody at least had knowledge of the inventory.
Aug 16, 2009
Photo of bbothen
Reviewed by bbothen from California

4.15/5  rDev -7%
First stop while in town for business. Had to stock up the fridge.

10 or so 2 door coolers filled with a nice selection of west cost goodness. 6 doors of singles, which is nice, all priced nicely. Other coolers filled with 6 packs, bombers, and 750 ML bottles. Lots of Stone, Great Divide, Ska Brewing, Deschutes, Left Coast, Moylans, Dogfish, Rogue, etc.

Young lady at the counter was nice and friendly. Offered suggestion between Nimbus Brewery and Gentle Ben's on what they have to offer.

Seems to be the go to shop in town and the place I'll go to stock up next time I'm there.
Jul 27, 2009
Photo of merryjoulton
Reviewed by merryjoulton from Arkansas

4.7/5  rDev +5.4%
I visited this place on a whim on the way home from work and unexpectedly walked out with 6 new brews to try. The selection was too huge for me to pass up. There were tons of cooler doors filled with single file lines of 12 oz bottles, and two or three doors filled with bombers. Then there are a few racks of four/six packs, but all bottles were individually priced for convenient mixing. There were beers in there that I had never seen before, and some breweries were represented by upwards of 6 beers when other stores may only stock 2 or 3 beers from a particular brewery. There's also a great can selection, and I couldn't pass up the Oskar Blues. This place gives the impression that the buyers go out of their way to have a superb selection chock full of quality and variety, with quantity being a welcome byproduct. Prices were fair, some lower than BevMo/Total Wine and some just a smidge higher. I can't wait to return to Plaza.
May 22, 2009
Photo of ColForbinBC
Reviewed by ColForbinBC from New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
Visited this place on a recent trip to Tucson. Tons of stock cramped into a small place. Racks as high as the eyes can see.

As soon as you walk in, take a left and you are greeted with a cooler of bombers from port, lagunitas, alaskan, green flash, and many others. The rest of the beer is just past the cashier counter in coolers along the right and then 2-4 racks in the back. Singles all over the place with very good prices. There are racks of 6 packs in the back of which you are encouraged to break up.

I walked out with a mixed 6 and three bombers and it cost me $30. Bombers of Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, 2008 Alaskan Smoked Porter, and Port Hop-15. The mixed 6 was of: Deschutes Inversion IPA and Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Alaskan IPA, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, New Belgium Abbey, and Nimbus Oatmeal Stout.

The owner (at least he appeared to be) was standing behind the counter chatting about beer and pouring some samples of the Full Sail Barrel Aged Black Gold (which was fantastic and made my friend go back to get one.)

Overall, a pretty good selection. I would have liked to have seen a little more than just the staples of some of the breweries, but there were so many breweries represented, it made up for it. A fine store.
Apr 21, 2009
Photo of Reagan1984
Reviewed by Reagan1984 from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -10.3%
Visited this location based upon Beerfly. Nice little store.
Overall they had a nice selection, I didn't find too many exciting offerings, but that may be more of a comment of the fine stores back in Boston. The help was very friendly and most imformative.

I was a little concerned that I saw some dated beers on the shelves.. I saw Deshutes Hop Trip on the shelf which is a wet hop fall release that is supposed to be consumed shortly after release. Once I commented, the staff said...."yeah, that's long in the tooth"
Frankly, they need to handle this before the beer gets this old. I also saw a couple IPA's that were bottled in March of '08. That's not good.

On the other hand their pricing is excellent. All single bottles are the price of a six pack divided by 6. Very reasonable.

When I visit Tucson again, I will certainly return to this location.
Mar 31, 2009
Photo of cbros
Reviewed by cbros from Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -21.5%
Came here after searching Beerfly. As you walk in there is a cooler to your left that has all the bombers available. If you go towards the back of the store there are 6 packs and singles that are out plus along the right hand side are a series of coolers that house singles and 6 packs. They had a pretty good selection of cooler stuff and room temp stuff. Even though I didn't ask anyt questions while I was there I did call them before coming and the girl on the phone gave me correct directions.
The negatives are that this place is mostly a wine and liquor store(hence the name) so the beer they do have is not equal in selection to the other two. Also the store is very tiny and crowded. I had my son with me and I had to put him in a cart so that he wouldn't be able to run around. Being that it was the day before Xmas it was very crowded so manuvering him around was not easy.
Overall from my research this was the best place to go to get beer in Tucson. Nice little place that on my next trip to AZ I will certainly visit again.
Jan 02, 2009
Photo of magictrokini
Reviewed by magictrokini from California

4.5/5  rDev +0.9%
Dare I say the ultimate beer store for the Tucson area? I didn't venture into this store a whole lot while at the U of A, as I was busy sampling in bulk Keystone Light and Natural Light. I got a chance to see this when I went back. In-credible, especially considering it is Tucson. Old, family-owned shop. Tons of Belgian and Euro imports, not in coolers, which is a big plus. A larger supply of regional micros (Avery, Nimbus, Left Hand) as well as bigger names (Dogfish Head, Rogue) AND a number of small ones I have never seen before. Prices can be premium, another reason most college kids stay away, but what's new.
Dec 17, 2008
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

4.45/5  rDev -0.2%
This was a great stop.

Quality of all beers purchased are good

Through the roof service, they gave me a case discount even though I was a little short (shouldn't have bought so many beers in new Mexico! ). Everyone there was positive & beer friendly

Ballast point, port, Moylan's, left coast, many out of state & AZ beers. Loads of west coast goodies!! Import selection looked good as well, but already blew the beer budget!

Great prices, love their extensive singles & bomber selection!

If I ever go back through Tucson, this will be my first stop!
Apr 07, 2008
Photo of AndyCapp
Reviewed by AndyCapp from Arizona

4.85/5  rDev +8.7%
Good wide selection of beers. You can easily buy by the bottle, mix and match and packs. The folks there know what the heck is going on about the beers they carry. And, they carry far more than most other places.

Same goes for the rest of their stock, wines, spirits, whatever. The prices are reasonable, and you won't find a shortage of anything... except the low end beers and booze.

If you need 16 cases of Bud light, you may want to go to a regular supermarket. If you want the good stuff... go here, you'll find it and good service too. Variety seems to be very much of a byword in this place.

It would be a great friendly watering hole if space and law permitted. In fact one of the fun things is the cramped walkways... big enough to roam around... but... hey if you need to pass anyone... you need to smile and say a few "excuse me's" since in some places two people can't pass side by side.

The place is stocked wall to wall, and floor to ceiling. Good excuse to make some contact with other people... novel concept huh?
Oct 14, 2007
Photo of velo343
Reviewed by velo343 from Washington

4.5/5  rDev +0.9%
Wow. This place is fantastic. A real old world feel when you walk in the door, the first thing you notice is a ton of wine and an employee greeting you as you walk in and asks if you need help.

But on to the beer... A huge selection of singles. I mean, hundreds of bottles from California, Colorado, Oregon, etc, as well as a few from the East Coast and the more common US craft breweries. A good selection of German and Belgian singles as well. Then you move to the coolers in back for the 750's where they have more of the Belgians and other bigger beers. Lots of sixpacks, and a few doors in the cooler leading to bombers.

Probably the best selection in Tucson that I've found.
Jan 31, 2007
Photo of DanSSwing
Reviewed by DanSSwing from Texas

4.85/5  rDev +8.7%
The selection at this store is insane. It is packed wall to wall with hundreds of different beers, both cold and on the shelf. They had every Rogue product I could think of except, sadly, the Imperial Stout. I thought the Chocolate Stout was a bit overpriced at $5 for a bomber. But then I also picked up a St. Bernardus Abt 12 for under $4, which I thought was well underpriced. They also carry the elusive Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. I'm not the biggest beer conniseur on this site, but I will say that this is the best liquor store I've ever been to. The service was as outstanding as the selection.
Oct 21, 2006
Photo of Solomon420
Reviewed by Solomon420 from California

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
Plaza Liquor is a real gem. They have a great selection of wonderful beers from all over the States and Europe. Its a wine-liquor store as well, but when you enter all you see lining the walls is large reefers with bottles of beer. You can make your own 6 pack which is cool. The "room" in the back is full of the larger 750ml corked bottles and feature most good Belgian style beers. The staff is very friendly and they are always willing to help with the selection or even help carry a few bottles for you to the counter. I can not go here too much because I cant control myself and usually end up buying well over $75 in beer each time...the wifey doesnt like that too much. One thing I would like to see here though is some tasting parties every once in a while.

Highly recommended to any beer lover/advocate when visiting Tucson.
Jun 23, 2006
Photo of Westsidethreat
Reviewed by Westsidethreat from California

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
What a difference a state makes. Getting ready to make the drive back to Los Angeles from visiting the in laws, I stopped by this well regarded liquor store hoping to find some hidden gems. Good thing I had the pickup, the beer I bought wouldn't have fit in the Crossfire.

Smaller than I expected with beer and wine stacked everywhere. A good variety of warm and chilled beers from all over the United States and beyond. Seems like a mom and pop place, I got the impression that the woman and younger guy working behind the counter were mother and son.

They had a plethora of DFH that since has dried up in my neck of the woods, varieties of Avery I had never seen and scores of Great Divide which I I hadn't been able to locate. But thats just the beginning. I put away my hand basket and grabbed a push cart.

They keep empty six pack cardboards around so that you can build your own six packs with singles...and bless their hearts for doing so. The guy working the store was very helpfull and flattered that I lived in Los Angeles but was stocking up here in Tucson.

When I finally finished shopping I wheeled my cart up to the counter and the lady just smiled. She rang up my order then threw a 10% discount on top "just because". Thats how you build customer loyalty.

When I'm back in Tucson, I'll be back at Plaza Liquors.
May 21, 2006
Photo of bennetj17
Reviewed by bennetj17 from Arizona

4.8/5  rDev +7.6%
Plaza is the best liquor store in Tucson. They have the biggest selection overall, and always have new/seasonal items in all the time. Plenty of Belgians, American Craft Brews, other Imports, and area brews to choose from. It's kind of an old little place, but that gives it character. The staff are always helpful and will suggest brews for you if you like. They often give you a taste of some of their newer brews too. Over the past few months I've found some great brews there- Speedway Stout, Fuller's Vintage Ale, JW Lees, and more. Anything distrubuted to our area is usually available. The best part is you can buy 12 ounce singles of anything in the store to make your own 6-pack, or your own case sometimes if you are like me. They also get points for keeping the beer out of bright light so it doesn't get skunked. The prices are pretty average also. Nothing else in town compares...
Feb 03, 2006
Plaza Liquors & Fine Wine in Tucson, AZ
Place rating: 4.46 out of 5 with 47 ratings