Went on adventure today to pick up some Jameson Black Barrel a favorite of hubby and I. Parking was…read moreeasy, in front on Forest Avenue or in adjacent parking lot. Entrance is on Forest and is clearly marked. You walk in and there is sooo much to see! Cue the candy store memories as a child. I quickly lifted my jaw and stepped to the side and started taking pictures. This store is nicely set up with wood, glass, and some brass accents for a nice look. They truly have a VAST selection of all spirits offered. Some items, that are rare, or higher priced are locked in glass cases. All the information you need is right there in the open. There were two clerks working the front. When no one was waiting to check out, they walked the floor looking in on all to see if we had any questions. Saw one man go to counter and ask questions, the clerk was friendly and knowledgeable about the offerings he was looking for. I found my Jameson with a few variations to choose from. Cask-mates stout is a favorite but not always available. Black label was on the shelf with two sizes to choose from. Now for a beverage for a holiday gathering. Looking for something on the berry side but not loaded with sugar. They had a huge of beers, seltzers, ales, and ciders to choose from. Wasn't feeling the seltzers which I do enjoy, today I was feeling a cider. I chose the BRLO Berlin Cider "Dark and Wild" mixed berries. Then an Ale caught my eye in a tall off white bottle with a swivel cork top. Delirium Red; Belgian ale with cherry and elderberry!! Yes please! They have other flavors too. Checking out was easy. A few registers with last minute adds for review. Best one; they had an Advent calendar of Beers and Ales genius! If you are looking for a special gift, a tried and true, or up for an adventure; head to Bow Street beverage on Forest Ave. in Portland, minutes from 295 too!

This is my go to store in Greater Portland for my alcohol. Actually, if we're being totally honest,…read moreit's part of my weekly grocery shop. I always end here before heading home! Why do I like it? + It's really clean. + The staff is knowledgeable to an extent and usually pretty forthright when they don't know something (although, over the past year I've been told a few times they "don't carry" a particular brand when I had literally purchased said brand a week ago - actually, it just happened today. I asked about a specific thing, I was told "we've been out of that for months", only I bought two bottles of it just last week, and my partner would end up going back the next night and getting a few more bottles. Sooooooo?); they've also been very willing to check with distributors for something specific when asked! + They do tasting events and in-store sampling (check their online schedule FMI). + The prices are competitive to other places. + They have parking. + They don't linger when they see you spending an hour standing in the whiskey section combing through reviews online to find your new favorite bottle, AND ALSO... + They will talk to you about whiskey if you ask/want the help/they've got the time. + They don't judge you (at least not externally) for your horrible taste. + The staff is really good at time management. Is that a strange observation? Sometimes it gets REALLY BUSY here. It has seemed to me they drop what they're doing stocking/cleaning/inventorying and get over to the cash registers ASAP to keep the queue moving. I've come here just for a single can of diet Gosling's ginger beer, I've come here to restock my home bar entirely, I've come here to be one of those fancy people who gets something from the locked glass cabinet. With that... Dear Bow Street in Portland, Thanks for always having GlenX available! And thanks for carrying Edinburgh Gin (Seaside), it's my fave! Please get more Lagavulin. I won't ask about Weller anymore. Your Suntory Whisky rec is your best so far.

Times they say when you order aren't accurate, and from what I've experienced you'll likely get…read moreyour order pushed significantly or cancelled.

This is the best delivery service in Portland by a wide margin. They're a local company with a…read morereputation for paying their employees well. They have one of the widest selections of restaurants, with a user friendly app and website. They'll deliver alcohol in addition to food. And, perhaps best of all, the fees and surcharges are clearly outlined before you order. Taken in whole, it's not cheap ordering delivery from local restaurants. But if you would normally order drinks and food out, this is definitely a more economical and convenient alternative. I've ordered from Carhop over a dozen times with no issues. Last night I had my first issue. When my order showed on the app as delivered, but wasn't, I contacted Carhop on their handy live chat feature and was asked to check all entrances. My front door is brightly lit and obvious (it even has a floodlight). There is also an unlit, snow and ice covered side staircase that no delivery service has ever braved. It's likely every homeowners insurance company's worst nightmare. But there was the order, on a zero degree night, frozen solid to the ice. When I jammed the side door open and grabbed the bag, it exploded, leaving a war zone of ramen. I was able to salvage half the order, while the rest has made me the honorary king of the local raccoon population. A quick note to Carhop explaining the situation (with a picture) and I was instantly fully refunded. I feel like they went above and beyond in service and would highly recommend!

Maine & Loire has become my go-to spot whenever I need a special bottle of wine, or something fun,…read moreor just something reliably high-quality. It's the kind of place where I can walk in and say, "Hey, I'm making haddock chowder tonight, my budget is $30," and immediately get a handful of thoughtful recommendations plus a mini wine lesson, which I always appreciate. Wine can get pretentious and intimidating so fast, and I never feel that way at Maine & Loire. I also really love their sales and loyalty program. Getting those emails with 10% off codes (which they send out pretty often!) always makes my day. Lastly, I think you can choose to drink bottles on site, but in the past their policy seemed to change a few times, so I've stopped trying and just treat them as my go-to wine shop.

Portland is in desperate need of chic wine bars, and Maine & Loire fits the bill…read more It's fun to peruse their tastefully curated wine collection (not overwhelmingly massive). Knowing a decent amount about wine, it was fun to chat with staff to find something new. I didn't feel pushed to purchase anything, although, I happily walked away with three bottles and a few more fun facts about geographical areas than I did before. Regardless of your knowledge of wine, this is *the* spot to grab a bottle. They also offer wine tasting sample events!

I love this store for many reasons. Average is 4.5 Staff -…read more5 Stars Beer Selection/Layout - 5 Stars Social Media Saavy - 5 stars Parking - 3 The staff here is knowledgeable and friendly. They will help you with a smile. They will answer questions for you with a smile. Bottom line, they smile and I love that. If you think you know what you might like, just start listing adjectives and they will make amazing recommendations. They also understand the patterns of beer releases. For example if there is a stout you remember as being amazing and you know the name, they will most like know when or if it will be released again. The beers have a great amount of labeling with helpful details, especially if you aren't familiar with a particular brewer or style of beer. But again, don't hesitate to ask if you have additional questions. Social Media - I love the beer tastings!!! They bring pretty great brewers here - They announce new and / or rare beers being sold Parking - meh -small lot that fills quickly during rare beer releases. With that being said, if you don't mind parallel parking on Forest Ave, there is plenty of short term parallel parking on the street and it is easy parallel parking (i.e. pull right up to the curb). I highly recommend this location but please leave some good beer for me. :)

While riding out this COVID mess, I need beer. I need GOOD beer. So, I call Jamie at the Bier…read moreCellar in Gorham and ask him to make me a case of good DIPA and TIPA selections from Maine. I give him my card over the phone, back up to the store, and Jamie comes out with a mask on to drop it into my trunk. The choices are always great, never the same, and I can face another couple of weeks of being cooped up. There is simply nothing not to love about this store and the staff there. Even the owner is happy to roll up the sleeves and pitch in with great selection suggestions. Note that I drive past two other options for buying beer that are 1/10 the distance from house. Bier Cellar owns my business and always will.

Small but mighty, this darling store has so much you don't expect. And the staff? Friendly, witty,…read moresharp and just plain gorgeous. Thanks for the Moxie!

A teeny (yet filled to the brim) convenience store on Fore Street filled with both American and…read morerare(r) Asian snacks/sweet treats/cookies/candy/chips, and even some K-Beauty (?) and even a Calico Critter or two. Pros: Great for downtown workers (myself) in need of a quick snack Unique and varied selection Friendly staff Central location Locals-only discount!! Cons: Expensive!!! Hard to navigate if more than two people are inside the store Definitely worth the trip!!

Holy cow beer lists of beer lists. Great atmosphere for a bar. Basement Bar with great food faire…read more The bartenders are great at making the rounds and giving flavor tasting. We enjoyed a couple pints. Samuel Smith Winter Welcome and Naiad Boline Black Farmhouse Ale.

Novare Res is a convenient and inviting space to get beers with friends while out in Portland. I…read morealways enjoy my time drinking at Novare. The menu is expansive and inclusive, but ovewhelming and the food that I've had the few times I've ventured that far has not been as good as I was anticipating. I have heard good things about their food from other people though, so I guess I'll just have to keep trying!

They were quick and took the time to call me to clarify my wishes The driver teased my son in law…read moreabout his Birthday delivery.

Incredible selection of Maine beer - the highlight of our experience was the exceptional…read moresuggestions and knowledge of the gentleman that helped us make our selections.

I love this place! Has the same high quality service as the restaurant does. So convenient to get…read moredelicious Terlingua prepared food. Tried the new fish cakes yesterday. Best fish cakes I've ever had. A nice twist using a bit of sweet of potato and the hake was so flavorful. Another little surprise twist with the tartar type sauce. Enough salad for a great side salad came with it. Please put this on the menu if you haven't already!!

A really cute cafe offering delicious baked goods, sandwiches, breakfast tacos and provisions…read more Associated with the very popular BBQ restaurant next door so the food has a southern twist. They also offer kloches which are a Czech baked good you don't see too often around here. My friend loved his breakfast tacos and I got some awesome Mexican candy I'd never seen before. The service was friendly and fast, this was a good spot!