Decency and Manners are not Dead. This is not my usual stop for my drinking needs, but after tonight... The woman working the counter is one of my heroes. Discretion being the better part of valor let me just say that the service was a testament , a validation that the entire planet has not gone to the dogs. Many thanks! read more

This is our closest liquor store and so far no complaints! Nothing fancy, but they have imported Strongbow which can be hard to locate. My husband is a Brit and Strongbow is his favorite drink. He was worried when he immigrated to the States that there would be no Strongbow here...his fears have been put to rest! I wish they kept it in the cooler, though. read more

Todd always is A+ help with the expert wine recommendations. And Andre's customer service/jokes are very

Sweden's high quality Svedka Vodka is almost always on sale for $20.99 for the 1.75L bottle, and they also carry Viking Fjord from Norway. Last night's find was UV Vodka, on sale for $15.99. The guy behind the counter was very friendly and asked if I had any questions. He recommended Evan Williams Bourbon as a good and cheap alternative to Jack. The beer selection is pretty good, though I did notice a poor showing of 40s--I think they just had Corona and Olde English 800. Where's the Haffenreffer Private Stock and Colt 45 I ask you? read more

You walk out of the subway and there it is, presenting you just what you need for your walk home, or I should say what you need to fill up your glass when you return to your abode. I wander the aisles looking for my beverage of choice. This time I was in the hunt for a nice big handle of reasonably priced vodka. This time I wasn't as pleased as I normally am. Eerrr did the price of Smirnoff go up or am a bit out of touch. Then my eyes wander and I'm reminded of the reason why I like this place so much. What's that, they appear to have all of the flavors of 42 below. Wandering a bit further and stuck between the vodka and gin.......... ...........BOLS Genever *cut to side shot facing the back of the store *Huge grin creeps across subject's face *Series of five still shots as subject reaches out with right hand to pick bottle off shelf *Holds bottle for a few moments as if grasping a well weighted club and on my way out there is the slight convo with the always friendly staff, and as always I will be back my friends. I will be back. read more

This review is about the staff. Who runs this place? I can't figure out who the leader is but it feels like I'm walking into a cranky cafe: snide, moody, unfriendly staff (except for the cute short-haired women). I buy wine there like 6 times a year, out of convenience, proximity to my friend's home. Two times I've heard the staff comment on a homeless/mentally unstable man who sits outside of the store -- maybe for handouts or purchases. The last time I was there a cashier said "Why isn't he dead yet?" to her co work. Not cool. Not funny. You get the feeling the place is for the staff and their friends. During that same/last visit an employee's friend stopped in and went on and on and on at the front counter about her band and the "gig" she just got. Everyone was gushing over her story. Torture! Vino verde at $8?? It's a low alcohol wine. Like 4%. It's half price elsewhere. read more

Liquor World is teeny tiny but magically stocks several of my favorite beers. The prices are inflated by at least $1 per 6-pack, compared to most other liquor stores. They carry Founders, a must try, but be prepared to pay $11 for it! Ouch. They also have Rogue Dead Guy in SIX PACKS!! Can you believe it? Wine prices are comparatively lower with regular 2 for $20 deals. I can't seem to figure out how the varieties are organized; cabs are mixed with syrah and, hey look, there's a merlot in the middle! As usual, no comment on liquor. read more

The renovation of Liquor World has really brought this place into a realm of professionalism that it didn't quite have previously. The wine and beer buyers are awesome dudes...super knowledgeable, super nice and super helpful. The staff is friendly and fun. I've only ever had good experiences here and frankly, the wine and beer selections are better than anything other liquor store in the area. Looking for a specialty item? They'll order it for you. Easy peasy. Two thumbs up for the LW. read more

I'm torn about Liquor World. On the one hand, their selection is fairly good, and they're very convenient to those in the Porter Square area. On the other hand, they tend to be a bit overpriced, don't seem to have a selection especially better than some of their local competitors, and today, I had one of my worse experiences with the staff. In the past, my experience with the staff has been anywhere from friendly to a little brusque, and that's more or less fine. I came in today in the middle of a weekday afternoon, however, and had a staff experience that left me feeling like I was neither being listened to nor especially respected. Redirecting a patron to the product you think they should buy isn't always a bad thing, but when done smugly or with a smirk, or without explanation at all, is rude. Pure and simple. My conversation with the employee went approximately/paraphrased like this: He: "Is there something you're looking for?" Me: "Hi, I'm looking for some ciders, more the large bottles than six packs . . ." "You don't want to be looking over here," he says, pointing at the shelving area labeled ciders that are mostly in bottles. "Here," he says, pointing to fridge with six packs and a handful of bottles. "Thanks! I saw the label with 'cider' and didn't realize there was a fridge with them too." "Those aren't the same. They're mostly our . . . French and Italian ciders." "Well, that's ok! I care more about the taste than the region. But good to know, thank you! I guess I saw pear ciders and figured I'd find other sweet ciders there-" He responds with a smirk, "Pear ciders aren't sweet; what a cider's made out of has nothing to do with the sweetness." "Oh, sure, sure. I guess I was saying I've had /a/ pear cider that was sweet and may have assumed . . ." I trail off, realizing that I'm explaining my rationale, and look at case, "Hm . . ." "What are you looking for?" "Well, a sweet cider; I tend to like my ciders on the sweet end. I'm actually a fan of Scrumpy's, though some find it too apple-y." (Yes, I'm aware that Scrumpy's isn't an especially acclaimed cider.) Pointing at a six-pack, he says "Why don't you get a Woodchuck Summer?" At this point I'm feeling a little bit patronized, especially since I indicated I wasn't looking for a six-pack. My guess is that I'm cueing younger than I am, and he's making assumptions. "Oh, I was actually looking for a full bottle. I can carry it home more easily, and there are just times that six packs remind me too much of college, you know?" He corrects, "Except they're cheaper; there's more cider for the price." At this point, I just want to end the conversation. "Oh, that's fine, I'll just take one of these; I've had it before." I pick out a bottle. As a final attempt to not leave us talking past each other, I say, "I guess the cost'd be especially true if I didn't share or finish it and had some left over in a single bottle." He smirks again. "That has nothing to do with them being cheaper per ounce." With a forced smile, I reply, "You know . . . thank you, never mind. That's true!" and take the cider to the counter, ending the conversation. read more

Their bourbon selection is stellar for a mid-size liquor store. 23 yr pappy van winkle!

I find the employees here to be quite rude, the prices super inflated, and they NEVER have what I'm looking for. I mean, who would be out of Ciroc vodka, and not even carry Fu-Ki plum wine? This is not the first time I've gone here in search of something and had no luck. I guess if you're just looking for beer, maybe you'll find it. read more

Liquor World's got a great selection of beer, and not too bad prices either. However, when it comes to whisky, they're all out of whack. The price on Scotch and Irish whiskies are just way too high. A quick bus ride to Central Square will save you about $10 if you buy your single malt from Supreme Liquors. There's probably even cheaper places around than that, but that's the one I'm most familiar with. read more

My name is Brian and I am the wine manager at Liquor World. I seem to recall the encounter with "Nick D" which is posted below. Being the wine manager and also someone who doesn't drink hard liquor, I'll admit that I'm not intimately familiar with the correct pricing for every single malt scotch that we carry (and we carry a lot!). I am truly sorry that i couldn't have been more helpful at the time and unfortunately, nobody else was around who could answer your question. The next day I asked my boss about it, and you were right! The $47 price tag was a mistake and we fixed it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. As for the "shrug of the shoulders", this is a tremendous over-simplification of our conversation. I have NEVER simply shrugged off a customer, nor would i ever. It just didn't happen that way. Good or bad, we appreciate the feedback! Thanks. read more

Eclectic, friendly staff. Always something relevant on the radio (NPR, Celts game). Decent selection of wine, good selection of liquor & always a new, strange beer to try. read more

Every liquor store, packy, or whatever your preferred nomenclature, should be called Liquor World, or Liquor City, or Booze Town, etc. And every store should be as good Porter Square's Liquor World. It has it all. And if it doesn't have it than chances are you don't need it. It's probably not a good thing that I get as happy as the proverbial kid in a candy store when I come here, but that's my problem to deal with (and acknowledging the fact that it's not a good thing is the first step, right guys?). But I can't help it, the fact is that Liquor World has the best selection of beers and reasonable prices for those beers in the area. Don't worry, they have your watery domestic here as well but the real sunshine is that they keep a ready stock of local beers like Haverhill's Leatherlips and hard to find limited releases from Rouge, Stone, BBC and such. They even have a fantastic wall of imported beers like the amazing (and again, hard to find) Mikeller beers. Don't miss the row of coolers tucked away in the back either, where you'll find a good price on a wide selection of growlers and bombers. Beer beer beer, yeah, what about the other fine things in life? It's all here too, rows of wine that touch the ceiling and a well stocked wall of the hard stuff. And it's the same story, yeah, they got your precious Charles Shaw and Yellow Tail, but they also have a great selection of smaller wineries from around the world and even close to home. And you will save a good amount of money by buying your booze here rather than some of the more convenient locations in the area, I've learned this the hard way. It should also be noted that the guys working here have a great bountiful knowledge of booze. If you have a question about what kind of wine you should pick up or when a seasonal beer might once again show up on the shelves. If they don't have something you're looking for chances are they can tell you why they don't have it, where you can find it or maybe even get in the store for you. I'm not saying the fact that they're always listening to NPR in here means anything, but... Anyway, I appreciate good diversity and good booze knowledge so I buy my libations from Liquor World whenever I can. read more

This place is awesome! They carried two spirits I've been searching everywhere for (Old Monk dark rum and the small bottle of St. George absinthe). No other liquor store in Cambridge or Boston carried those items. Staff members are also super nice and well-informed. read more

I'm updating with an extra star b/c I've been in a few times since my last review, and although their prices aren't the best, their customer service is above average. read more

The people working at this store don't really know what they're doing and the prices are clearly hiked up. I'd rather walk the extra half a mile to go to the next closest liquor store than go here. read more

Liquor World is my neighborhood packy, and as a beer lover I visit at least once a week. Their beer selection is fantastic, with a wide array of American craft beers and interesting imports. They also do a good job getting new releases and "hot" beers that people are talking about. Prices are reasonable for the area, a bit higher than a Kappy's or something similar, but cheaper than Downtown Wine and Spirits in Davis. I can't speak for wine or other spirits, but this is a good place to go for craft beer. I recently discovered that they have a blog on their website, and it's a good way to keep track of their new beer arrivals. read more

To quote another review: "Death metal, playing VERY LOUDLY, was screaming over the speakers." Five stars. But on the real-- they have a very good selection, surprising for a strip-mall wine shop. Selection-wise I'd say they're four stars, compared to my favorite-secret-very-serious wine shops, but six stars for the staff--they could /get away with playing death metal because they were present, pleasant, knowledgeable, and cool. read more

One of the better and most consistent beer selections in the area and usually reasonably priced. You might typically find (and I typically buy): Victory, Smuttynose, Lagunitas, The Bruery, Fantome, Alesmith, Haverhill, BBC, Green Flash, Bear Republic, Brasserie d'Achouffe, Founders, Pretty Things, Mikkeller, Rochefort, Brasserie Dupont.. you get the idea. read more

Ok, anyplace that sells bitter lemon gets a good review from me! Gin and bitter lemon is an awesome cocktail that my dad always liked, but very very few bars/rest carry bitter lemon nor do liquor stores. I was so pleased to find it here, although in a little four pack and over priced. it brought back memories of sipping my dad's cocktails years ago, lol. aside from that, they have a good variety of wine and beer (old brown dog ale, baby!!) ranging from cheap to expensive, so something for everyone. Good service too. read more

I don't typically come here as my first choice of liquor store but Liquor World is damn convenient when passing through the porter area. They won't go down in history as the cheapest or best liquor store around, but being located RIGHT on the red line makes it always a good choice before heading out to wherever. I mean raging alcoholism is hard enough, who wants to ALSO have to carry a six pack ALLLLL the way to the T? read more

Their renovation this August wins them an extra star! This place now has gorgeous wood laminate floors (I don't mean this in a bad way). They've widened the aisles, so now it's spacious- and they've added extra coolers of exotic beer. Very classy, A++!! read more

I always forget about this place. It's a bit smaller than other stores, but it is super convenient when you're heading over to Shaws. The staff has been helpful. In fact, the last time I was in I had two of the cashiers assisting me. Also, this place is a buck or two cheaper for liquor than other surrounding alkie stores. It isn't my closest liquor store.. but when my wallet gets slim, I head here to save a wee bit of money. And there's only been one or two times when I haven't made it to the supermarket. haha read more

Liquor World is my preferred source for beer. Dig around and you'll find some gems. In the last week I've found the last of two beers I didn't think were available east of the Mississippi. The staff is really knowledgeable, and they often have reps in for wine tastings. I love that you can enjoy listening to NPR while you're in the back aisle looking at the tasty beers. read more

I'm a beer drinker first and foremost. For a store its size, Liquor World does an excellent job of stocking a fresh, wide selection of interesting beers. Unlike a lot of places, they always have a few great specials on sale, and if you peek down the little corridor at the back, you will discover a cooler filled with a surprising array of singles, small batches, and growlers from around New England and beyond. Conveniently located at the Porter T, too. read more

So...this is my local liquor store. I'm not a huge fan, despite its proximity. The beer prices are inflated just enough so that I notice it, but not always enough to make me take the long trek to University or Downtown (both are much better purveyors of liquor). The selection isn't horrible, but it isn't great, either. The help is...eh. I've been going in there for what, like 4-5 years, and sometimes they STILL decide to card me. I guess it's a compliment, I don't know. But the WORST thing is that they have imposed a limited timeframe during which they will accept bottle returns. No returns on weekends and only after 5 pm on weekdays! Is this even legal? They took back a 12-pack a few weekends ago, but they sure weren't happy about it. It's also such a small store that when something breaks, it reeks like a long-weekend frat party in there. This is perhaps a minor quibble and I never expect a liquor store to smell like a rose garden, but sometimes it's a bit overpowering. read more

I like this place because it's super convenient to the Porter Square T and to the Shaw's next door. The beer selection is decent, but pretty predictable if you know New England beers well. It's also overpriced in a big way. Basically, when you come here - know that you are paying for the convenience of getting your shopping done all in one plaza. Otherwise, a totally decent liquor store. read more

Very nice selection, but overpriced like most packies. Some of the 750ml gins and vodkas are $4-$6 cheaper and other stores.

Great prices in Porter square. They carry the elusive 1.5L bottle of Chateau st. Michelle Riesling. Stop in, can't beat the deals

Great selection of craft beer, very good liquor/wine selection. These people have come to know me very well over the years I've lived in Cambridge. The reason it isn't five stars is that most of what they offer is $1-3 bucks more than Cambridge Wine & Spirits, or even Boston Wine Exchange (financial district area), wine-wise. Liquor is marked up a bit more. I'm talking about the bourbons and whiskeys, not the vodka. This complaint isn't particular to liquor world, though. For some reason, liquor stores in and around Boston vary in price by a buck or two for the same wine. Just down the street, four blocks toward Harvard, there is another liquor store (with "university" in its name, I believe), which has some things cheaper and some things more expensive. But basically, it's extremely convenient so I keep going back. Oh, and at least they let the cashiers play decent music. read more

Good selection overall. One of my only complaints is that they are pretty expensive when it comes to craft beer. I've paid close to $17 for 12-packs of Shipyard Pumpkinhead and Sam Adams Cold Snap and Winter Lager. They do offer a walk-in "beer fridge" which I always appreciate in a liquor store. It is, however, very small/cramped inside, so you really have to watch where you're going when it is crowded so you don't end up knocking something over. One benefit is the location. It's conveniently located in the Porter Square shopping center (where the Shaw's is) so I hardly go anywhere else. read more

Great place for craft beer. Most place carry tons of IPA's. This place has stouts! Competitive prices.

Liquor World was best for having unusually low prices on Plymouth gin and Campari for the Boston area. They seem to have since noticed their mistake and marked the prices back up. I don't think they stock one single item at this point that isn't overpriced. Their scotch shelf is almost laughably overpriced. They have a great selection of beer and a decent selection of spirits. I bought a bottle of Orval and it had gone very, very bad, which is odd considering it was in their refrigerated section and hadn't reached its "best by" date. Some of the help is decent and knowledgeable; others there are as cold and unhelpful as anywhere I've ever seen. But that seems pretty typical. read more

Notwithstanding the consistently cold, apathetic reception from the staff, I had patronized this place for nearly a decade, due to its convenient location and decent (not great) selection, albeit somewhat overpriced. After my last experience there, I will never cross its threshold again. I head into there right after work, pick up a couple of bottles and bring them up to the woman at the counter who has probably personally served me 20 or 30 times. She gives me a weird look, asks for my ID, scrutinizes it, bends it back and forth, looks at me funny a couple of times, and then asks me whether I'm driving home or taking the "T." She's obviously looking for an excuse not to serve a sober, 30-something who just wants to get home and unwind on the couch after a hard day at the office. I ask her (very politely) about this bizarre interrogation and she just shrugs it off, saying she's "just making conversation," and then runs my card. I regret letting her do so. I should have just walked out. There is no excuse for treating long-time customers this way. It is your duty to recognize your neighborhood regulars and not treat them like slobbering winos bearing fake IDs. I am going to University Wine exclusively from now on. They may not have as big a selection, but it's decent enough, and at least the staff there flashes a flicker of recognition as I hand them my ID, and engages me in a little friendly, neighborly conversation about the weather, the Bruins or the libation they are so clearly grateful that I am purchasing from them. That place up by Davis Sq. is pretty decent, too. read more

My favorite place to purchase wine. I go out of my way to shop here and it is well worth the trip. Was recommended to this gem after seeing there name in the Globe wine section. I needed some better wines for a large dinner I was hosting. I was not disappointed and was blown away by the selections and help offered for my pairings. I was given tips on wine prep, how to explain the different selections and why they were chosen. I felt I got a masters in all things wine. The recommendations were amazing. I was schooled on pre-dinner drinks to ease in the evening as well as some whiskeys and ports for after dinner. I have been back 5 or 6 times and each experience is met with a journey to new regions. I just joined their wine club for special hard to find small production offerings. As good as the selections are, they also remembered me and my wife's name on our second visit. I've been in a coffee shop near my house everyday for 6 months and they never know my name. I read some of the less then favorable reviews, and can't believe the silliness some people plan to share and always question there motivation, this place is amazing check it out you will be very happy. read more

I usually don't like to write poor reviews, but I had a horrible experience at liquor world. The circumstances surrounding my experience aren't as important as saying that the cashier was incredibly rude and made me feel very uncomfortable. read more

This place just may surprise you. It's really super convenient...right in Porter Square. The prices are not the best in town... but the guys there doing the buying really know their stuff. The beer selection is GREAT for the size of the place...beer geeks will have fun here I PROMISE...make sure you check out the waaayyy back hallway all the way down on the left hand side of the store, the long beer cooler on the right. The wine selection is all over the place... but seriously is getting better and a bit more sophisticated. Don't be scared off by the cheesy name... you'll be sure to find a good bottle... of something, here. ALSO, and this is why this place really deserves credit..the beer buyer Joe, and the wine buyer Brian... love what they do, and honestly know their stuff.... they really have tasted most of what is in the store and I'm sure would be more than happy to chew your ear off about all of it :) read more

After searching the Internet, we found that Liquor World advertised a bottle of Dom Perignon for $149. When we got there, we were told that they didn't have that vintage anymore (2002). They had 2004 available for $200. They did not honor prices from the website, nor did they even offer a token 10 percent (or similar) or compensate us for our trouble. They just told us that "the lady that updated their web site didn't do a very good job". We left, bought the 2004 for $149 (advertised price) at Curtis Liquors in Weymouth. read more