BC Liquor Store

This location has some of the most seediest and shadiest people hanging around. People from the east side of Van and Metrotown come here. This location is open late, selection is very poor. I feel bad for the employees who work here. You have to be really thick skinned.

Easily my favorite BC liquor store. They usually have vendors showcasing their wines on the weekends, so if you’re curious to learn about different wineries and their products you can ask questions. This location is pretty big in comparison to the one in old orchard plaza or the Champlain square location. Big selection and lots of variety. I usually opt for reds and after taking the wine tasting seminar I stay away from BC mostly because we’ve been pretty happy with the different regions we’ve tried. Catena makes a great Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, just tried the Dulong Bordeaux and really enjoyed that too. There’s usually more than one cashier working the tills here so even on a Friday afternoon when there’s lots of store traffic it’s never a long wait to pay. They also have a small selection of wine gift bags here too so if you’re gifting in a rush it’s pretty convenient.

Great location, lots of parking (shares the plaza with Safeway) — although when we visited around Christmas people were parked in random places around the lot because it was SO crowded. They have a large selection of wines, hard liquor, beer. Things go pretty quickly here especially when they have promos on certain products.
There’s a busy recycle window from the outside so it’s convenient when you’re dropping off old bottles. I prefer to buy liquor from BC liquor stores to avoid the mark ups that you see at private liquor stores.

I’ve come here at least 1 — 3 times a year as it is right across from Safeway. I come here to get cheap hard liquor for baking, especially for Vodka inspired cupcakes that have been used for girls night out cupcakes. I don’t know much about alcohol and I don’t drink, however, I’ve always found the staff here patient and helpful with me, especially when recommending the best Vodka used for baking. One of the ladies working there bakes as a hobby and gave me some additional tips so that the Vodka would not dry out my cupcakes and or burn off with baking. They do have a line of baking inspired booze which takes the guess work out for me. One of them recommended a really cool kick ass Guinness ginger cupcake recipe for me to try next year.

It’s close.
Three reasons I like this location:
1. It’s within walking distance
2. It shares a parking lot with a Safeway just in case you want nibblies with your drinks or mix
3. I can see it from my favourite seat at Starbucks so I am reminded that hey, I need alcohol
A-​Ok by me.