Sterling Wine & Liquor

This is my first review and looking at the negative feedback I have to chime in. I think some of the negativity refers to the wine selection. I was looking for whiskys and mezcals. They have Yamazaki 18 for $ 180. This is the lowest I’ve seen in the city and its a rare find too. Not many places carry it.

The man working at the store this evening handed me their business card and asked that I leave a review on Unilocal with, you know, «whatever I’m comfortable with».
So. I’ve lived around the block for close to four years. This liquor store was always run by the nicest, (and I mean the NICEST) family who lives just upstairs. They are wonderful and incredibly kind.
When I asked this evening if the store was under new management, the same man who handed me a biz card said no. «Just some new faces.»
Hard to believe, as he then handed me a biz card and asked me to leave a review. And here I am.
I understand Smith street is pricey, and things will likely be more expensive than other locations. And I am kicking myself for paying what I just paid for a bottle of booze that would have cost me far less elsewhere (a 1L bottle of Campari was $ 47– tax included). I just looked that up online and I could get that for about $ 30 elsewhere.
Alas, sadly– this place will no longer be my convenient go to. Which is a shame, because in a neighborhood that is completely overrun by newcomers with more money, it was lovely to have a local, family run shop.
Not one that hands you a business card and asks you to write a review on Unilocal upon your first visit with them. Lame.
No thanks!

I’ve been impressed with the customer service from George, who spent a leisurely amount of time recommending red wines $ 15 and under, and who offered to order Barenjager when I asked for a liquor he didn’t carry. He turned us on to a new rum to use for Hemingway daiquiris, Don Q, then eagerly asked for our feedback when we went back.
I think the liquor prices might be higher than some other stores in the area, but George’s service is friendlier and more helpful, and sometimes that’s worth paying a little more.

Not as bad as it might seem. It’s no Smith/​Vine but you know what? It gets the job done. I know, I know, I barely look old enough to buy a bottle of alcohol. Alas. Anyway…
Their prices are decent. Customer service is helpful. Last time I visited, which was about a month ago, there was a woman behind the counter. She was lovely. I enjoy drinking dark wines and vodka mostly, and their bottles of Smirnoff are pretty decent. Of course if you’re looking for something like Grey Goose, it’ll be a bit pricier.

Lived in this area for a few years now. This is hands down the worst liquor store in existence. The people who work here are also fairly incompetent and rude.

After requesting my selection I handed my ID and credit card over only to be rejected service because I didn’t have a New York ID or my passport. I live literally on the next block to this place and run a store on the same block as them! Yet, I was «too much of a risk» because I «looked too young.» I explained my situation, that I live and work nearby, but am not from New York City, hence no local ID. His response, «You live here and you dont have a NY ID?» I’ve never been treated so rudely on my own street.
I only stopped in this dump because I was in a hurry to entertain guests and didn’t have time to be concerned with their absurd price gauging. Instead, I walked to Brooklyn Wine Exchange on Court St. where I was warmly welcomed. I can’t wait until Sterling Wine is gentrified out of Smith St. and out of my sight.
Avoid this unprofessional and dishonest place at all costs: Check out Free Range Spirits on Atlantic, Brooklyn Wine Exchange on Court, or Smith and Vine. further down Smith.

I stop in here about once a week and was surprised at some of the negative reviews. But I think some of the price complaints come from the fact that this joint does the old-​school trick of making everything at eye level a $ 20 or up bottle. If you take the time to look down or hunt around you can find plenty for $ 10 to $ 12. What’s interesting to me is how the younger upstart places have turned that on its head, with the long $ 10 table front-​and-​center and making I you look for the pricier stuff!
Anyway this is nothing fancy but the selection is pretty good and I’ve always been treated well.

Been by these guys a few times already, since moving to the neighborhood. Yes it means there are a lot of parties to throw.
Not sure why others haven’t liked them, but I thought they were very friendly, and had pretty good service. They are also fully stocked floor to ceiling, and checked me out quickly. What more could you ask for?
Bottle of Kettle One and I’m primed for the party.

Overpriced to the point of extortion. They take advantage of limited competition to charge up to double normal prices. Interesting they insist on scraping the price tag off wine bottles and aren’t able to provide itemized receipts. Shame on them.

Forgot to pick up a bottle for a party so ducked in here after eating across the road. Not only did they have the worst selection I have ever seen but every single wine I looked up on my phone was about $ 10 more that my app said it should be. Just awful. Avoid at all costs!

Sometimes there is pain in your heart, and the only thing that will soothe your soul is shots of tequila. Since I was about ready to mainline grain alcohol, and Sterling was the closest place to buy booze (for home consumption), I ended up here.
Unfortunately, the tequila prices and selection leave much to be desired. There wasn’t anything I really wanted, and a bottle of Patron (Silver) goes for $ 62 here, AT LEAST a good $ 7 higher than everywhere else. But you can’t really put a price on alcoholic gratification.
Actually, you can, and $ 62 is too high.

«Debit or credit, miss?» The staff is friendly and it’s convenient for me, but it’s no Smith & Vine or [the other one up on Court St by the Trader Joe’s]. Ergo, the bottles don’t boast S&V prices either. You may have to battle the lotto crowd to get to the chilled whites and roses case, but you can get out with a serviceable tempranillo, rosado, or sauvignon blanc for about $ 10 and up. Watch some NFL or MLB while you browse. Open til about 9pm weeknights but closed all day Sunday.