Bottle King

Bottle KingBottle King
Bottle KingBottle King
Store

343 W Mount Pleasant Ave
Livingston, New Jersey, 07039-2730
United States

(973) 740-0711 | map
thewinebuyer.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.93
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
17
pDev:
12.21%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bigalcole44:
Photo of bigalcole44
Reviewed by bigalcole44 from New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This store is slowly growing into a great craft beer store. They carry all the local breweries along with the best beers distibuted in the area. The prices are definately fair. Some of the noteable beers i have found there are Lagunitas, Oskar Blues, Founders, Rogue, Brooklyn and many others. The staff is young and very interested in the craft beer scene. Of coarse they sell major brands, who doesn't? Very Very satisfied with my shopping experience there!! They also have a great big beer selection. Chimay, Duvel, Rogue, Stone, Innis and Gunn, Ommegang, just to name a few.
Feb 19, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of Guppy314
Reviewed by Guppy314 from District of Columbia

4.29/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
It's been maybe 3 years now since their move from South Livingston, but the place is really so much better. Beer used to be an afterthought, but now has the whole back third. They might have competition on size (TW&M) but the helpfulness of the staff is consistently super. So I never mind driving the extra 2 miles. Yup, they're still solid on wine & liquor. Best place around!
Jun 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by ArkyVaughan from New Jersey

Dec 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by claspada from New Jersey

Dec 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by muskiesman from New Jersey

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JMS1512 from New Jersey

Jun 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by mk_ultra from New Jersey

Jun 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by djrn2 from New Jersey

May 27, 2014
Photo of CassinoNorth
Reviewed by CassinoNorth from New Jersey

4.69/5  rDev +19.3%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Bottle King Livingston just moved to 343 West Mount Pleasant and wow, what a difference a mile down route 10 makes.

The entire back third of the store is now dedicated to beer. They have a bomber wall that's expansive on the right side of section and then 2 racks full of craft beer with every brewery you could ask for. Always seem to have Maine, All the newest Stone releases and whatever Brooklyn is putting out these days. The staff is on their game in terms of the craft scene. They've recently brought in 10 new breweries from all over and their belgian selection is growing mightily.

About half the cooler is dedicated to craft and even a selection of 20 or so cold big bottles. Also just about the cheapest beer prices you'll see in the state as per BKs usually are.

Definitely worth a visit in it's new location, fantastic beer store.
Feb 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RobDB from New Jersey

Jan 26, 2014
Photo of Smosk
Reviewed by Smosk from New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25
This store has really stepped up its game within the past year or so. Matt the beer guy there has done a tremendous job in bringing high quality craft beer to Livingston and it only seems to be getting better. I can go there and get my standby's IPA’s such as Flower Power and Sculpin as well as many of the stouts I enjoy such as Narwhal and FBS. I’m now though just as likely to walk in and get lucky enough to find some of the more rare beers that in the past I had to look elsewhere for... Matt is also very knowledge on the craft beer scene as well as giving out recommendations. Up until a few months ago I would say the only Pumpkin beers I would ever buy were Schlafly and ST Pumpking, but Matt turned me on to Stevens Point Brewing Whole Hog. This has to be one of the best Pumpkins I have ever had...thx for the rec.. As good as the store now is they are moving down the road next month so I expect bigger and better things out of BK Livingston. The only thing I would recommend that as they start to have higher end craft beer and more costly items, they might want to move to allowing some singles and a mix and match policy. While it may not be easy to implement it is a good way for the customer to try something and then decide what they like and come back and buy in larger quantities. Overall well done and looking forward to visiting the new store shortly.
Dec 30, 2013
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Reviewed by KingforaDay from New Jersey

3.97/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This store was always an afterthought for me despite living less than a mile from there, but in the last few years it has gone from having a poor craft beer selection, to good, and now to outstanding and now is my go to store. Bombers are all laid out well on a shelf along with canned 4 and 6 packs and other misc. 4 and 6 packs. The whole back left of the store is cases and six packs of just about everything you could want. Coolers are also stocked with some great stuff if you are headed to a party or BYO and need something cold. Matt the Beer Manager has transformed this place into one of the best beer destinations in the essex/morris co. area, and while it was great being able to pick up Founders, Weyerbacher, Victory, Lagunitas, Dog Fish Head, Oskar Blues, Unibroue and many other great breweries in the past, I am now seeing Fresh Sculpin, DC Brau, and even BCBS Variants there. And their prices are often better than other stores in the area too, so between selection and pricing, I no longer have to hit 5 or 6 stores a week to get what I want. They are also moving to a new bigger location early next year so I have to think this place will only get better.
Dec 15, 2013
Photo of Jonrusso
Reviewed by Jonrusso from New Jersey

4.69/5  rDev +19.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
I've been frequenting this store for about a year when I changed jobs...it's right on my way home so i stop in at least once a week. This store has gotten better and better and the staff is great. Matt the beer guy is extremely helpful and always doing his best to hook it up. Like the last reviewer said, their selection is constantly growing and I get almost everything I want here, even hard to find bottles. The bottles are never over priced and I always leave with something. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area...Cheers!
Jul 26, 2013
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

3.35/5  rDev -14.8%
Visited on 9/21/2010. It's a neat and clean store as most chains usually are, but a bit on the small side as far as chain stores go. I'm estimating about 2/3 of the cooler space devoted to craft beer. The selection had a decent amount of locals along with some well-known micro brews, but there were a lot of lower-quality amongst that selection. Service was friendly enough when I hit the register. There wasn't any help while I was browsing but I don't hold that against them since it was a busy point in the evening. Prices were just as reasonable as any store I've seen. Overall, it's a decent store to hit if you're in the area looking to grab a six-pack, but certainly not a destination store.
Oct 08, 2010
Photo of dsa7783
Reviewed by dsa7783 from New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
This is the main liquor store in my town... and lucky enough for me, it is an excellent place for a variety of reasons... The quality of the products they offer is great... I've checked around alot and I've never seen any expired beer there that I tend to notice in some other liquor stores... The service is about average... They got a lot of young kids working there who really don't know much but if you ask them for their opinion of a beer and if they tried it, they will be happy to offer you their opinion or steer you to a choice they recommend... Although it isn't a mom-and-pop shop, you do develop a certain rapport with the employers after they get to know you and wouldn't mind letting you slide on a few cents... They got a really good and diverse selection too, with great seasonal offerings as well as the staples... Just wish there single-brew fridge was more expansive, but otherwise they got a nice offering... everything from Wychwood to Rogue to Schlenkerla... Price-wise, their not over-the-top either and are pretty reasonable... A great place to cop brews...
Dec 16, 2007
Photo of maddogruss
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -3.3%
Typical liquor store, although this chain seems to be looked down upon by those at BA. I went to this place last week and it does have your typical mass-market beers, but it has a rotating selection of beers that are harder to come by. I got a Faxe amber ale here and a Wychwood Fiddler's elbow on two different occasions. The selection actually rotates, so keep that in mind whe you're there and you see a beer you like; you might want to get it because next time it might not be there. This may seem bad but it's actually pretty good because it's like going into a different beer store every time you go in the place.
Nov 21, 2006
Photo of Dantes
Reviewed by Dantes from New Jersey

3/5  rDev -23.7%
Selection: In my limited experience, I have to rate this store above average for selection. They make an effort to have a wide selection (both chilled and warm) and to get the more esoteric items. Recent offerings (12/02) included Westvleteren 8&12, Most Victory (V-10, Old Horizontal), Dogfish 90 IPA and Raison D'Etre, Abbaye des Rocs, Rogue, Unibroue 10, Old Jock, and Skullsplitter). Not many 12 oz. singles and no make your own 6-Pack.

Service: They are very willing to order whatever is available in NJ (wine and spirits included). Based on what I have read on the forum, prices are also good. Would rate it 4.5 but for layout.

In contrast to Ron, I have not found too many out of date beers, although I'm sure they're there (there was Anchor OSA 2001 though). If anything, this is a function of the poor layout of the beer sections. Yes, sections. They have three separate areas where beers are displayed. One area is comprised of the "cooler wall" and parallel to this is a string of "islands" of beer in cases, with 6-Packs on top. Unfortunately, there is no consistent logic to what is in each "island." All the beers from one brewer may not even be together. There is a second area along the back and in a shelf unit that has singles, and odd bottle sizes, which are also mixed up. Macro cases are along the left wall. Finally, there is sometimes a fourth area, where seasonals, gift packs, and specials may be laid out. If there were a fourth numerical rating for layout or something (unless this is part of service), I would have to give it a 2.0-2.5.

Bottom Line: With a little more effort, selection, and thought; I think that this could be a 4+ place overall. I'll recommend they peruse this site for ideas.

Update: I went back and they have consolidated the beer section to some degree, although the "islands" are still somewhat jumbled. The single bottle section has been moved adjacent to the cooler wall and the macros to the back corner. There were several expensive "expired" beers displayed. One salesman was unfriendly and unhelpful when asked about them and about the availability of some other items. Downgraded service 0.5 points.

NB: A quick check of the Morris Plains store (1/04), found its beer department much reduced and depleted. Not much selection beyond the run of the mill.

NB: BK Livingston is basically selling out their stock and not re-ordering much. I was told on 3/15/04 that there was a new guy in charge and he was "cutting back." Now what am I supposed to do for Brutal Bitter?
Jan 02, 2003
Bottle King in Livingston, NJ
Place rating: 3.93 out of 5 with 17 ratings