Problems are brewing here before we even get in the door; because we can't find a park. Located on…read morethe busy junction between Sydney Road and Condamine Street, Vintage Cellars Seaforth has a carpark - but I've gone and overshot the mark, and it's a difficult task to get back. Once the car is safely in the carpark and I am safely in the bottle shop, the fun begins. As the name would suggest, Vintage Cellars' main preoccupation is vino. Vino, vino, vino - you name it, you can find it there. Given the almost boutique nature of the chain, it's a little more exxy than usual. But the vast selection of vins rouge and blanc means that if you're into the exotic then it's well worth it. Vintage Cellars is not limited to wine, however; the standard range of Australian and International beers are well represented, while the store has all the usual suspects in the spirit and RTD world. Vintage Cellards also gets points for service - the guy behind the counter helps me get my case of Pure Blonde to the car, shuts my boot and wishes me a good day. I am also happy to learn that unlike some bottle shops I could mention, I don't get ID'd - as hilarious as my boyfriend finds it, I do not enjoy being mistaken for a 17 year old at age 23.

I live near one of the world's greatest bottle shops so rarely visit any other unless it's to get a…read morebottle to take to a restaurant or dinner. I was passing Sydney Cellars on my way to such an occasion and it is a definite contender for the world's second-greatest bottle shop. For a relatively small shop they have a decent wine collection and great specials that don't involve six- or twelve- bottle purchases. I got two $15 bottles for $20 in their special of the week, and yae, I was happy.

Sydney Cellars is a good place to go if you're planning a party and need to buy in bulk. They have…read moreloads of deals (things like 2 for $20) and a bargain bin ($6 wine... probably gross but good for making sangria...). This place has all the big wine labels plus a few extra interesting things... Definitely beats going to Vintage Cellars (around the corner in Broadway). Make sure you say hi to the guy working behind the counter, I reckon he gets a bit lonely in there.

Being down the quiet side of Norton Street, down by the City West Link, which is actually quite…read moreloud now that I think about it, so perhaps my initial adjective was a poorly chosen one, is Amato's Liquor. One of a couple of business's that occupy the lot on the corner. What it is, is basically a warehouse full of alcohol. Like a Bunning's Warehouse of booze. It's huge. Wine's as far as the eye can see and a wide selection of beers and spirits. Ice is available in their freezers and bits and pieces necessary for a party are sold here as well. There is a parking lot out the front and trolley's are available should you be requiring a large amount of grog. While Amato's isn't the cheapest bottle shop, that's not to say that it's expensive, but it is not a discount retailer. Ideal for parties, when you're looking for a brand of beer or wine that is hard to get your hands on and when you're really really thirsty.

On the corner of Norton Street and the western distributor is a large brick building. People…read moredriving past on their way to Haberfield and Five Dock may have noticed but have never been interested in what lies inside the building. Go past the brick wall and around the corner into Norton St and you come across the driveway and parking area for Amato's Liquor. Amato's is a large warehouse-sized (600 sq ft) liquor store that carries wines, spirits and beers from all over the world but apart for a huge range of Australia wine specialises in Italian wines. They have a wonderful selection at all price points so that anyone with an interest, be they novice or confident connoisseur can purchase a bottle of vino Italiano. However, the rest of the world hasn't been left out, 35% of their stock is imported. Like all other liquor stores, they have wine in the fridge, which on a Friday night comes in very handy as there are so many BYO restaurants in the area. They also have case deals for people who want to buy in bulk. A cool-room especially to keep the beer nice and cold is at the front and the spirits and liqueurs are in easy reach on the wall facing the front of the store. With thousands of products in store and over 250 beers, the store can be a little overwhelming but Franc, who owns the store has plenty of help and they are always ready to suggest a product if you're not too sure what to buy. There's parking for about a dozen cars at the front of the store which is handy as there's no street parking at that point in Norton St. Also available: * Panetone (at Christmas) * Ice * Wine Accessories * Pasta / Sauce / Oil * Soft drinks * Confectionary * Glass Hire

This place is like the storage room at the end of Indiana Jones where they hide the Ark of the…read moreCovenant, a never-ending warehouse filled with boxes of interesting and arcane stuff. That stuff being the good stuff AKA sweet sweet booze, son. Got a hankering for something short batch and hard to find? They'll have it. Want something to inspire you, something you've never seen or heard of before? They got it. Hell, maybe you're going to Moonlight Cinema and have the booze sorted, but need some deli-style snacks to with it. Yep, sorted. Giant green olives stuffed with fresh chilli, thanks for asking. And oh, the holy land of an independent liquor store! They're getting harder and harder to find these days, nigh impossible really. Normally indies have the feel-good thing going for them, but lack the range to really impress, but ye cats, you could spend weeks in here. If you see a guy with a beard, he probably has. Be a sport and buy him some food then show him where the exit is. Then tell him to pay it forward.

Kemeny's is a grocery store, no Kemeny's is an off licence or is it a chemist oh wait maybe an…read moreorganic food store. Ok it's really hard to know what it's suppose to be but it's basically a bit of all of the above and then some more. The store offers a lot in terms of alcohol. They got s great selection of wines and beers and some quirky party drinks to suit any cocktail party in which you want to impress. They often have suppliers giving out samples here and staff are helpful when it comes to suggesting suitable drink for any occasion. The grocery section is a little random and I don't think it's the kind of store you would likely go to do a weekly shop at because they have limited choices for certain things. They do however offer some unusual snacks and foods and your bound to pick up something every time you go here to try just for the fun. It's a different experience in here and would highly recommend it as an off licence and perhaps good for party snacks otherwise your probably better off making the trip up to Bondi Junction for one of the main stream supermarkets.

This is one of the few wine shops in the Sydney area NOT owned by grocery chains. That seems to…read moregive them some flexibility on selection, as well as allowing for some great discounted prices. The large shop is located on the first parking level of the Dee Why Grand Mall, which makes it very convenient. The staff is both friendly and helpful, always available to help without being in your face. Obviously they specialize in Australian wines. They carry just about all the ones I look for when here, so the combination of selection, price, and convenience can't be beat.

Fisherman's Fine Wines carries more than wines! Beer, Ciders and More…read more Conveniently locate inside Sydney Fish Market. Strongly recommend you to pick up something nice and cold to go with the seafood you got from the shops here. You can even get a bottle of wine and the staff will uncork for you and give you some plastic cups so you can drink that right away!

Located on Oxford Street, right near the Tool Shed, Premier Liquor is the go-to store for all your…read morealcoholic needs if you're in or around Museum. It's close to all the clubs and bars, and their prices are fairly cheap. The attendant is somewhat wary, but I bet you would be too if you had to serve drunken hooligans all night. Show some compassion, and be nice to the guy. He seems to be easily spooked. The store closes at midnight though, so you'd better stock up before then

Bondi Beach Cellars is a bottle shop that screams Bondi in every sense! It's decorated with…read moregraffiti, the alcohol is set up in a way that it looks like a storage room which adds to the warehouse-chic vibe, and there are plenty of bargains. My favorite thing about this bottle-o is their selection of wines of under $10. Just to the right of the counter, on the bottom shelf you'll find an array of red wines that taste great and cost as much as one drink would at the bar! They have plenty of Jacob's Creek, any of the Shiraz's are nice. They have the same selection with white wines, which you'll find in the fridges on the right. They sell all the best beers and ciders in longneck form, the locals wouldn't have it any other way. The lads that work there add to the authenticity, fresh faced locals that probably skate to and from work. They're always friendly and up for a chat. If you're stumped on what to get, they'll lead you in the right direction.