Downtown Boston - Any recommended bottle shops?

Blanchards off the corner of Brighton Ave and Harvard Ave, Mass State Liquors on comm ave

 

Forum Boston Guide
Use the map to help your buddy find a good local store.

 

Best two spots in true Downtown Boston are Charles St Liquors in Beacon Hiill and Boston Wine Exchange on Devonshire St. A mile or so apart and both awesome

 

What he said. You can also include Bauer Wine & Spirits on Newbury St and Federal Wine...just depends on where you are.

Actually, just use the map

 

OK--Blanchard's is nowhere near Downtown. Not really worth the trip on limited time.

BWX on Devonshire is a must. While there, it's only a couple of blocks' walk to Federal Street Liquors--they look tiny, but most stock is in the basement (besides, how many stores in Boston stock 21st Amendment beers and Sculpin?). Both stores have a number of imports that are otherwise very hard to find (even if you know to look for them, which is not always the case).

Bauer on Newberry is more stuck-up than their inventory should allow, but it's OK. Bacco Wine&Cheese on St. James (near Park Plaza) has some beer too, although I haven't checked it in a long time--both have fairly limited selection, but offer regular tastings. The little convenience store in the same building as Trillium Brewery now has a craft beer section and is rebuilding--not sure what they have now, but I promised to direct people there to check it out, and if he times it right, he can get you a growler of Trillium right around the corner (literally). Down the street from Trillium, Harpoon not only has growler fills of whatever's on tap, but they have most of their selection in bottles. We're spoiled up here and think of them as mediocre (with a few exceptions), but they are actually not that bad, especially the more unusual and Imperial stuff). BWX -> Federal -> Trillium -> Harpoon is about a 35-40 minute brisk walking time plus the time inside. Bauer and Bacco are in the opposite direction, both not far from the Boston Common (on the West side of the Common). Trillium opens at 4. Federal closes at 6. Both have odd or nonexistent weekend hours. Otherwise, normal business hours for everyone else, but call ahead. Don't go to the liquor store by North Station! They actually have a decent selection, but all their beer is baked--both the rack and the cooler face the unprotected window and they've been sitting in the sun all summer to the point that even some labels are discolored. What's the point of Maharaja sitting in the cooler if it faces the sun every day?

 

This is on the presumption of being limited to downtown. If a car is available as well as time, there's a lot more. PM if interested.