Liquor Barn

Possibly the most despressing, bleak and hopeless retail experience in Vancouver. It’s how I imagine state-​run grocery stores in the former-​USSR felt in the 1970s. Unfortunately this is the liquor store nearest to my home, but the poor selection, high prices (compared to anywhere within 10 miles), and incredibly sad atmosphere all mean I would rather crawl on all-​fours to another store. It really takes a special effort to make something this joyless; seriously, a lick of paint, new lighting and some basic shopfitting updates would transform this tragic, soul-​sucking black hole.

Never have I seen a cold beer and wine place with such empty beer fridges! They need to figure out how to order proper supply and stock their shelves, instead of saying «uhhhh, we’re waiting for a delivery.» FAIL.

I have gone to this liquor store for the last 3 years now, but only when their sales flyer comes out, or I’m in an urgent need for a drink, since I live nearby. The staff turnover in this store has me wondering, whats happened to all the different, mostly efficient, some strange people, who have, worked in the store. I like the freebies that come with many of the advertised specials, but the store itself is dingy and plain.

A horrible liquor store. For the love of all things decent, please don’t patronize this place. It’s poorly stocked, the prices are high, and the beer is warm. At the right time of year, the beer from the coolers is actually warmer than beer kept at room temperature.
I’m only ever tempted to go to this place because it’s two blocks from where I live. But I just came from there and they were out of my first three or four choices of beer – ones that they claim to normally stock. However, this has been the case the past three times I’ve gone there. The place always looks like it has been ransacked by a mob. Save your money and go to Firefly (still pretty pricey) or, better, The Lennox. The beer is cheap, always stocked, and ice cold.

Has a shockingly large selection of beer at the back right of the store. Don’t be thrown by the 1970’s Liquor Store décor.

Not the greatest selection of wines compared to Firefly or Lennox, but the staff is very friendly and they have great hours. Prices are good if you go for their stuff that’s on sale.

Given the choice, I would give this place 2.5 stars, partly because the place is slightly small, but also because they could have better lighting inside. Maybe it’s just that I’m spoiled by the Liquor Stores in Ontario. Or, maybe I was put off by being accosted by the alcoholic bum who accosted us on the way out? You can’t blame him for trying. ;-)
What I liked about this store was the selection: they had a wide variety of wines, both red and white, but also organic in both colours. The cashier, who seemed to be either the manager or at least the person in charge, was very helpful and knowledgeable about the products they are carrying. The only other employee I saw was a man who appeared not to speak English well enough to answer our questions, and he always defered to the woman at the cash (this happened two or three times).
What I enjoyed was finding a different variety of wines than are available in Ontario (where I am from). However, I can say that I was greatly impressed with the wine we did get: We purchased 4 bottles of wine — 1 for tonight, and 3 for future events coming up very soon, and for tonight we opened a 2008 organic Domaine de L’Olivette from France. It was very nice, indeed!
I might shop there again if I was local, but truly I think I would be shopping around if I was from here, if nothing else than to take in the variety and compare. None the less it was worth the experience.
Kudos to the guy on the street who we stopped, for directing us to this store!

Solid Plan B when BCL is closed.
Staff are always super friendly. Store could use a facelift, but it has all your boozy basics.

I only ever go to liquor barn if i just happen to be walking by and need to pick up a 6 pack. For pretty much everything I buy it’s more expensive than Firefly, which is the the non-​BCL I usually by my booze from.
One good thing about liquor barn is they tend to have store specials that are very reasonable when you compare to BCL prices.
I prefer the staff, the prices, and beer selection at Firefly that’s a few block away buy Liquor Barn isn’t a bad option.

More expensive than BCL, but great hours and they have some crazy specials. If you are not hung up on any one particular brand, you can get some great wine for $ 10 or less. Granville Island beer is also often cheaper than the crappy conglomerate beers.

Yay for booze! The prices are decent, and the place is open until 11pm! Hells yea! So even if you are having guests over on a Friday night and you spent all your time after work getting some snacks and cleaning last weekend’s puke off your couch, you will still have time to run in and pick up some party flavours.
They have a pretty good selection of wines, from cheap-​o to mucho expensive, and all the vodka flavours of the rainbow (my personal favourite is Vanilla.)
My one gripe, is that since this place got bought out by what seems to be a family, none of the funky dudes work here anymore. I find that the people who run the Liquor Barn now are not as friendly (perhaps their English isn’t very good I don’t know?) Before the staff changed, the staff would always love on my little dog Bruno and have a treat for him behind the counter. Ah, well, you can’t have your liquor and drink it too… or can you?

Spirits Away!
Apparently there are a few locations of these non– government liquor stores. Picked up a Bicardi rum and Vodka 750 ml for $ 21.99 and a Crown Royal 750 ml for $ 25.99 that was a great deal they had advertised. Party! The regular prices from what I can see are slightly more than the local BCLS.
They have great deals until December 13^th on many items.