Not just a great name, but a great wine merchants too…read more The welcoming and knowledgeable staff are an ideal team for someone as useless as me when it comes to picking a bottle of the good stuff. With their friendly and un-patronising tone they'll guide you through the basics up to the best that they offer. (It's a great way to bluff yourself through dinner conversation, and learn an interesting thing or do). But it's not just wine they have on sale but spirits and ales too. So if you're looking for a bottle of something to take to a party, be sure to pop by to Corks of Cotham.

One of Bristol's few independent wine merchants, Corks of Cotham offers a little more character…read morethan the beer and wine aisle of your local supermarket. It's more of a general off licence really, with generous spaces given to spirits and beers in the shop. They do know their stuff about wine though, and will happily talk you through the basics or discuss some obscure vintage. The staff are always friendly too and don't take themselves too seriously. They do tasting sessions, which are a laugh. I can't take this sort of thing too seriously, but I'm sure there's plenty to learn. Doing so whilst having a couple of glasses of wine can't be a bad thing either. It's certainly preferable to guessing at the quality from what the label looks like, which is what I usually end up doing at the supermarket. Corks of Cotham is a niche store where you'll probably end up buying a better bottle than you otherwise would.

Monica's is a really friendly and helpful corner shop in Cotham. Seemingly family run, the…read moreshopkeepers are always extremely polite and will help you find what you want; they've even let me put posters up in the window in the past. Those with kids might like to know that there's a little toy stand at the back, selling small gadgets and action figures. They also sell a selection of homemade curries and fresh pastry items, which are reduced towards the end of the day.

Monika's is located in Cotham, Bristol. It is a small convenience store which is open until late,…read moremeaning it is great for last minute alcohol dashes or chocolate fixes! They always have deals on for alcohol, such as 3 bottles of wine for £10 which easily rivals the big chain supermarkets. There is a good selection of products, ranging from fresh bread, fruit and vegetables to packaged foods and tins. As Lisa pointed out, they also supply a variety of homemade curries which are really very good for their price. The exterior of the building is a little off putting though. There a lot of posters and various adverts everywhere which is a bit overwhelming, however don't let this put you off as the owners are really polite and lovely, and more willing to help you as you look for things.

A unique retail experience, you enter The Clifton Cellars by going down a several stone steps into…read morea cellar that wouldn't look out of place in a Harry Potter film. You'll be greeted and asked what sort of occasion you're buying for from a sales clerk that seems to know what they're talking about. The selection is extensive and you can buy in bulk. There are wine quizzes, tastings,and talks, which I can't vouch for. But they at least suggest that the people here are serious about their wine. The prices go from cheap to ridiculous but then that's wine for you. If you're serious about your wine then the range on offer means you'll probably find something affordable Plus, the sales clerks can be very good at explaing just why this particular bottle is so special. This means that whatever you end up buying from The Clifton Cellar, you'll probably end up with something you're happy with.

Ah, the height of Clifton Village living - a wine cellar tucked beneath the street with all the…read morehidden mystique of a secret society. Wine and secrets - what more could you want? This hidden gem is actually a very good wine and alcohol shop. The stock is dynamic and always very impressive. Not such a good place top pick up some cheap plonk but then life is far too short to drink bad wine. If you are on a budget there are often a lot of good deals on; last time I was there it was twelve bottles of some nice French for £75 - not bad at all! They also house a great range in beer and cider from breweries local and further afield.

Great service and very knowledgeable! Beautiful wine choices so will def. be returning!!…read morehttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=527574150629998&set=a.240029546051128.65319.110000839054000&type=1&theater

Being half Finnish I'm quite happy to see the recent emergence of Polish shops springing up all…read moreover Bristol. Finland may not be Eastern Europe but a lot of the smells and types of food are similar. Take the cooked meats for example or the different hams and sausages. In a glance you could see nice looking sausages for a couple of quid, or you could look closer and see memories of barbecues under the eternal Scandinavian sunshine - taste the oak smoked flavours and remember a far off home. The vast piles of beer and wine may also look like a stack of bargain booze to one customer, but to another they are thoughts and memories of times past and old friends. You see, shops like this strive very hard to stock specific products - in this case Polish. For those that don't know, they offer new tastes, smells and ideas. For those that know however, there's a wealth of old tastes, smells that remind you of houses, people and places forgotten, and memories. This is also a good place to find colourful cartons of multi-vegetable and high energy drinks, as well as notices for employment and accommodation with other foreign speakers.

This place is great. Very friendly and helpful. Very knowledgeable about their products and always…read morehappy to help with any questions. Have visited on many occasions and will keep going back.

Not just a fantastic name, but a great shop too. Brewer's Droop is made for anyone who'd rather…read morehave a homebrew to own-brand and loves anything and everything about alcohol. The friendly, helpful and, surprisingly, not inebriated staff are always at hand to ask even the most basic of questions. They stock everything from beer to champagne so you're bound to find something to tickle your fancy.

This shop is unfriendly, sparse, and even a little depressing. I only popped in for a newspaper,…read moreand the woman behind the counter couldn't even bring herself to make eye contact with me, let alone say "hello" or "thank you". Perhaps I just went in on a bad day. The store has an ugly exterior (who on earth decided that bright yellow and purple would be a good combination for a shop front?), an ugly interior (dark, all spread out), and, in Cotham, which is full of unique, lovely businesses and charity shops, it sticks out, in a bad way. It's just a convenience store, of course, so you shouldn't expect much anyway. If you're desperate, live nearby and can't be bothered to walk the extra few steps to another store, this will do. It sells all the basics, and is open late, but just operates with absolutely no flair or enjoyment. The name is somewhat ironic here: "Premier" this shop certainly is not.

Too big for a news agents, too small for a mini supermarket. Premier, sells the bare minimum of…read morewhat you might need. I would not get over excited about it, it does not have the prices of Tesco Metro (or the range), and it has too much to fell like your local newsagent. That being said it is service with a smile, the business has invariably been open when i needed something last minute, and the lady that works there is sweet.

This is a great Budget Booze, and does some brilliant discounts on quality alcohol. A recent…read morecracker of a deal consisted of a beautiful French red wine at just £1.99 per bottle (needless to say, stocks didn't last long.) The owners are pretty friendly, and the main man certainly likes to talk. Being Polish, they also stock a few Polish snacks and soft drinks, all at good prices. So if you're looking for a booze outlet with a bit of character, this is the place to go.

This is the obvious place to go for any self-respecting party goer or chronic alcoholic. It's…read morestupidly cheap here, as you'd expect with a name like that, so buying a 24-pack or a few bottles of vino isn't going to cripple you for the rest of the weekend, plus they do a range of snacks if you're planning a movie night or something. One thing to watch out for, as with all such establishments, is the sell by dates. Some of the products are on the brink and some just plain gone off, which is why it's so cheap, obviously, so you can't say you haven't been warned.

Nicholas on COldharbour Road is a fantastic haven for alcohol-consumers. The shop itself is so…read morelarge, it feels like an alcohol emporium- so much space to frolic and find the suitable alcohol you desire. They have large quantities of everything - usually not the rare stuff, but the typical things you would expect to find. However, their selection of wine is impressive and there are loads of offers available.

Sonni's Food and Wine is considered to be a treasure by the locals. Everybody loves it. This has…read moremore to do with the family that run it, than the products they stock, which are these days not so unusual, but were relatively unique when they first started stocking them. Nevertheless, the fairtrade, and oganic goods, that used to be so rare at corner shops are indicative of the ethos that makes them so popular. This is a shop that possesses a strong sense of community that bends and bows to the needs of the customers. Run by gentle folk that are neither loud nor intrusive, the place has an antiquated feel, owing to the quiet unrushed way it goes about its business. Being so supportive of all things community, Sonni's is the place you go if you need to find out about the area. The window is crammed with houses and flats to rent and items for sale, along with adverts for all of the different classes and workshops in the area.

This friendly neighbourhood store is far more than just a corner shop. Expertly run by various…read morefamily members, it is not unusual to see three generations behind the till. The genius of Sonni's is that it has listened to what the community wants and supplied that demand exactly. Organic produce and dairy-free items sit comfortably alongside classic basics and there is a huge range of ciders, beers, wines and spirits on offer. Even if I am just passing, the bright array of cheerful pot plants for sale outside usually lures me in. From curry sauces, organic biscuits and fair trade teas to toiletries, pet food and delicious mezze items, it is rare Sonni's does not stock what you need or at least a useful alternative. If only every neighbourhood shop could be so well run. Sonni's makes buying local an absolute pleasure. And it is always open early until late.