I never thought I would find myself reviewing a liquor store, but I f*cking adore Kelly's Liquor. Like pretty much every other review, this is mostly for the beer. Their craft beer selection is legit. They have Ballast Point! And not just a random one now and then, they usually have 4-5 brews from Ballast point continuously stocked. If they are out, the dudes up front can tell you when its coming in. Or they can recommend something else you will probably like. The dudes up front are also super nice, really helpful, and up on their beer info. I have gone in to grab a few beers on numerous occasions and ended up chatting with the people who work there for ten minutes. I don't get why everyone says it looks sketchy? You won't get shot walking in, idiots. Its in a nice residential neighborhood. It just so happens to be a teeny little liquor store on the corner. read more

Horrible service from the huge guy that works there! Go to the market store infront instead!

I've lived in the downtown area for many years and never thought much about Kelly's when I passed by until yesterday when I saw a sign that they carried microbrew/craft beers. For a small shop, they really did have a great selection of beer to choose from. There were beers from Stone, Lagunitas, Speakeasy, Rogue, and Russian River. When I visited yesterday they even had Pliny the Elder and a few others that I had not seen before from other stores. I ended up buying Deschutes' Hop in the Dark and Lagunitas' Hop Stoopid, 22 oz size, for about $5 each. The store is not huge, but you'll find something unique to try. If you live in the area and don't want to trek too far to BevMo or Whole Foods for specialty beer, then Kelly's is the place to be. Nice staff. Credit/Debit cards accepted. Easy street parking. read more

The only reason why I went to Kelly's was to find new craft beers I can try. While Kelly's has been on the craft beer boat for quite some time, the huge increase in demand for craft beer has had other liquor stores, bars and restaurants step up their game and now you can find craft beers all over the place. With that said, my last visit to Kelly's was severely disappointing. It was so disappointing that I don't think I'll be back. While there was a handful of choices of beers to choose from, they were all beers i've seen there before, where's the new rotating seasonal/limited beers?! I understand that the fridge may not be fully stocked towards the end of the day but the fridge obviously was neglected for a couple of days. The staff was definitely lacking compared to the old crew (formerly known as the A-team). I was hoping that after the previous manager had left for his own business that Kelly's would remain the same but most of what I loved about Kelly's is now gone and a memory. All factors considered, I will not likely find myself making a visit to Kelly's. read more

My friend was right! They do have the holy grail!!! I seen it with my own eyes! I wish I lived in a cool neighborhood like this one! Kellys Liquor is in a great location! read more

I really wanted to like this place for the beer... been here a few times and haven't minded having to sift through the fridge weeding out old IPAs from newer stuff (1 month at best) until today. I'll spare the details and say the big ginger dude is a sore prick. When I asked about fresher beers he got super defensive and had a really bad attitude, extremely confrontational as if he wanted to pick a fight. I've never wanted to fight a cashier in my life until today. Save yourself the bad experience and go to a real bottleshop. read more

Moat definitely a cool little spot to check out in the outskirts of downtown. Good variety of beer selection, some 12 ozs in singles if you dont want to buy a whole pack. But they got a lot of 22oz beers and good stock. One con is that the store feels kind of crammed but it's still worth a peek. read more

I'd never thought of a business as angry before, and these people are definitely not happy. I've been here about 10 times for drinks or a lotto ticket (which they don't sell - go across the street to Smile). I don't need to get into specifics here and bitch but there's 3 employees that are rude and just don't want your business. Go across the street to Smile Market. There's also a Target nearby. And Nijiya market. And Trader Joe's. read more

Unorganized and dirty shelves. Very limited selection. Won't return for sure. On top of that, the ginger dude was very rude when I asked him if he had any pliny the elder. read more

Great variety of craft beers and micro brews available. Every selection and size bottle of hard liquor you could imagine. The friendly and laid-back employees keep the place lively. read more

I would like to support this local store, but apparently, they do not care about the local environment. Please clean up all of the trash outside of your store. I came in for candy and sodas with my kids and we walked past so much litter. Come on! I know you did not throw it there, but it is your business, and cleaning it up is part of doing business. read more

Well I'm darker skin color, have a little African American mixed race. I felt this night 8/12/19 the lady who is identified having blond hair and tall, was not courteous towards me her demeanor was racist. She was courteous towards other people with lighter skin. She would be extra friendly towards other people. But not friendly towards me. I'm very sensitive and it's not my fault that I'm part black. I felt I was being stereotyped as a bad black person, the way I was treated with a less friendliness and negative energy. I don't want to buy from somebody who may be racist. I like the other people working there, their nice. But her, she shouldn't be there let alone in a multi cultural community, if she's a racist towards certain groups. Not fair to me feeling exploited and oppressed by this lady there. Don't want to go back there after the uncomfortable energy or vibes and low vibration that she projects. Time to bleach my skin tone. So I'm not easily rejected for being the wrong color. read more

Everyone and their mama knows that I am obsessed with always finding some good craft brew to sip on. After moving into Japan town, this liquor store is my go to spot to find some of the most awesome brewskies. It is so amazing that you can create your own mix-n-match six pack of craft beers there. Though the beers can be a little on the pricey side, I'm all about paying for quality over quantity. The guys that work there are super friendly and hilarious to chat with. These guys definitely know their beers, so don't be intimidated to ask for their suggestions. If you're ever in the area and can't decide which liquor store to hit up, definitely make your way to Kelly's. read more

Used to be a little run-down neighborhood liquor store with an incredible craft beer selection. Now it's a little run-down neighborhood liquor store with an average, maybe a touch above average, craft beer selection. Maybe other places have caught up, but I really think the selection here isn't what it used to be. From what I can tell one of the people from Kelly's is somehow associated with ISO Beers, so maybe they began focusing more over there. read more

Complete shit! Don't bother coming here. Selection is small and the workers there are extremely rude. If you are looking for a beer, you won't find it here. read more

Hands down this is the best liquor store in Downtown San Jose just because of their huge beer selection. From Dog Fish to Delirium and to rare Firestone Brewery special releases this place has it all. The only thing I did see here that wasn't worth it was the single beer prices. They were slightly higher than a couple of other liquor stores I've seen in the past. Other than that this will be my go to store fro brew in downtown... read more

This place is GREAT! Extremely knowledgeable staff and a great assortment of IPAs! Everyone is so friendly there and you definitely get that neighborhood feel! Because of this I have become extremely loyal to this shop and encourage everyone to give them a try read more

My new favorite place. I saw nothing but the beer, so who knows what else they even sell. Basically they show the price for each individual bottle, and you get to choose 6 to make a full pack. So the price varies, but really it's not that much worse than a typical convenience store (where often the six-pack prices are kindof jacked up anyway). So it's convenient AND reasonably priced for the quality and ability to mix and match. Of course, a discount for buying more wouldn't hurt - or maybe there is one and I didn't notice - ? read more

Gave it a 4-stars just because they had the beer that I was looking for-Pliny the elder. -1 star because customer service is horrible. Went there yesterday, and the bearded guy (I think he's a red head) is just so unfriendly, he was actually a little rude to me. Don't know much about beer and I just asked him for Pliny the elder, he looked at me as if I was stupid for just asking, and basically told me to look for it, also made an irritated facial expression, which would make sense if he was busy and store is crowded, but I was the only customer in there. I can smell alcohol on his breath too, so that explains a lot more about his behavior. However, the other guy at the register did helped me and is a lot nicer. Didn't bother to look around for their selection because of that rude guy, never going back, honestly. read more

Best beer selection! I love that you can mix and match your six pack! Fancy beer with cool labels. The folks that work there are friendly and knowlegeable, too! They also have a take a book, leave a book table. The perfect local corner store. read more

Decent selection of craft beers for San Jose. Sells beer singles. Always has 6-pack holders for mix and match. Convenient location, but could use more parking. read more

This is my go-to shop for buying craft beer. As folks have mentioned, from the outside Kelly's looks like your neighborhood bottle shop and connivence store. The goods are in the back where you'll find local craft beers and others from around the country. Beers are available as singles and empty six packs sit in a crate waiting to be filled. read more

I've lived right down the street from this place for more than two years and pass it every day walking home from the light rail. I never stopped because it's on a shady corner (a liquor store across from a liquor store?). I finally stopped in after getting the hankering for a strong beer to drink after work and read these reviews saying it has a 'good' beer selection...in fact it has a great beer selection! I picked up a six pack of a New Belgium Brewing company IPA I'd never seen before (not at BevMo, nor at the brewery in CO when we visited last year!). I'll definitely visit again! read more

Liquor stores are all pretty much the same the only difference being the prices. But Kelly's stands out for the great customer service. Always feel welcomed and things are rung up quickly and they always make sure you get the best deal. Once I was buying a liter of Coke Zero and was told the 2 liter was only 25 cents more so I bought that. Small touches like that are what separate a good liquor store from a great liquor store. Also their selection of Rockstar, my drink of choice, is much better than most places and they got tons of spicy chip options as well. read more

Great! Only liquor store in the area that had Jack Daniel's! Good service and knowledgeable staff.

Excellent selection of beers and liquors. They have some top of the line stuff you wouldn't expect from a corner liquor store. The employees are super friendly! read more

Good local liquor store with a great selection of craft beer and cool knowledgeable employees that will recommend a good beer or two if you can't decide what to get. read more

Best liquor store in all of Downtown SJ! AMAZING selection, build your own 6-pack, and they get PLINY!!!!! The dudes who run the joint are pretty cool, too. read more

I come here all the time. Excellent beer selection, friendly staff and prices aren't too bad.

If you haven't been to Kelly's in the last two months.....GET THERE! Without a doubt! "THE BEST MICRO/CRAFT BEER SELECTIONS IN SAN JOSE!" This charming, family owned, liquor store has taken it upon themselves to stand above the rest! If they don't have it (which is highly unlikely) they WILL get it......just ask! I have put a special request in and the beer was there in just a couple days! Thank you Kelly's for your awesome atmosphere! read more

Totally sketch area but they have a great craft beer selection and you can make your own six-pack. I'm willing to risk being in the wrong place at the wrong time for the right kind of beer. Just make yourself look as ghetto as possible, lock your car door, and act Street so the element wandering around over there doesn't hassle you. read more

Awesome old skool liquor store in a neighborhood. Decent selection, even, surprisingly, for wine. Nice employees, and the prices aren't TOO bad. Excellent single malt selection for such a small store. read more

We were wandering around trying to find a quick night cap before going home at about 1030pm on a Saturday night. One catch, we have a 4 month old in tow, so we were very picky about finding an appropriate place. After a trial and error I was (go figure) yelping and happened to literally be across the street from this place. "great craft beer selection", sold. They do have a great selection for the small amount of space they have to utilize. The checker noticed there was a beer missing from our Ruenation pack, and made sure we got another one, phew! Thanks bud! Nice little gem I'm happy to have found. Cheers to beer geeks! read more

Unmm well they've been here for awhile. And I ways like the mom & pop shops. It's not in the best of locations, but I will go back

Kelly's Liquor Store is your average liquor store for last minute booze and snack shopping. We came for vodka and the cashier was really cool. He talked to us about vodka and his favorite kinds. Like any liquor store, prices are marked up so it can be pricey. What I like about Kelly's is the atmosphere. Most liquor stores are really shady and questionable but we came around 12am and felt safe. They also have an ATM machine by the front door. read more

Love this neighborhood liquor store. Great selection and cool friendly clerks!! If you looking for a great place for great beers hit up Kelly's!!! read more

Kelly's liquor is by far one of the best Liquor stores in this area! We are fairly new to the neighborhood & there selection is just great & the manager & clerks are so very helpful in helping me find exactly what I'm in the mood to drink! I know i can't ask for any other Liquor store to provide better service or selection! So i will be a faithful customer till i ever decide to move out of SJ. Thanks to the staff at Kelly's for such excellent service! read more

Best dingy liquor store in Downtown and they are two blocks from me. The stock some of the best beers around (Samuel Smith, Rouge Brewery, MBC, among others) and the staff is super friendly. read more

This is a hidden gem for craft beer lovers. I usually come in here looking for one specific thing. Whether I find it or now, I always end up coming out with something better. Depending on when you go and who is working, they can be very helpful. The manager, Brendon is very knowledgeable about beer. Have a conversation with him! he could probably answer any of your beer questions and make a really great recommendation read more

Great beer selections and realy nice people working there. I live a few blocks away and have been in a few times. they always have good beer in the coolers, including new stuff to try and the standard local stuff. read more