What a great addition to their shelves! Chocolate bars from Mission Heights Chocolates ! What a brilliant addition! read more

Trader Mort's Liquor - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Diego, California

Recently visited the San Diego area, so I had to swing by Trader Mort's again! I wish I grabbed the guy's name who was working, but he was fantastic. He helped us find some products while also was generally was great to chat with. While this is a liquor store (and not a tiki bar) there's plenty of mugs and merch to check out for any tiki fan! read more

See all

Love this place! Great wine selection! I actually found a red wine here that I couldn't find anywhere else in San Diego! Great customer service!. Great Polynesian decor! read more

Great little store, people who work there are some of the nicest people I've ever met at a store. Very helpful when you are looking for something specific. read more

Have you visited this liquor store recently??? It is under new management and the new owners revamped and restored this historic structure. I'm kind of a tiki freak and had to grab a mug but really I stopped In because other stores were out of the specific rum I needed. Guess what they had it and now this is the only liquor store I will be using. I can not believe the transformation and on top of that the owners are super sweet. read more

See all

My husband and I have been going to Trader Mort'a for years right before we go to concerts at Humphreys. When we recently went in we noticed it had been completely remodeled and had a new owner. The store looks really nice and has a better selection of wine and liquor than before. The new owner Chris was working when we came in and was really nice and helpful. We will continue to stop in before our concerts for drinks and snacks. It has pretty much what ever we need. I like to give a good reviews when I receive good service and we were really impressed with Chris! read more

BEST liquor store that has it ALL!! I love coming to Trader Mort's since it's been recently remodeled! It's so different and has a great ambience. If you're visiting San Diego, you have to come here! It's located on Shelter Island around so many amazing views, restaurants, night life, etc. and their store has everything along with the BEST customer service!!! read more

This was the nearest liquor store to our resort but we turned around the minute we entered. Was it the cigarette smoke miasma? Or maybe the absolute conservative BS spewing from the radio? We are not giving our dollars to supporting a business like this. Judging the people giving this place 5 stars just as hard. read more

Nice clean store, well stocked. Went in for a bottle of wine but the cashier was not happy when I asked for a bag. Seriously? Giving attitude for a bag to carry my wine. read more

Super cute historic spot that exemplifies the Tiki / mid-mod influences of the area dating back to the 1960s. Selection and prices are okay, staff seems cool, and just a fun random spot to visit. read more

God, so disappointing. Over priced, but decent selection of whiskeys. But really what capped it off was the fact that the guy working the register was watching porn on his phone. Not even with ear buds, but full volume. How awkward is that? He tried to pretend at one point that he was talking to the girl, but it was obvious. Regardless of whether it was a full on one or whatever. Totally weird experience and won't be back. Come on guy, at least invest in some head phones you depressing ass weirdo. read more

I love the character of this place. It touts tikis and tiki torches throughout. I think it is definitely worth a stop just to check it out. I have a sailboat in a marina nearby and I have wanted to stop in here for years. I'm sure that we used to stop in here when my grandfather used to take me fishing as a kid. This is a fun little corner shop mainly with tiki cups, fishing lures, and alcohol. This includes a large wine selection including fine wines for a store of this type. Remember that it is catering to yacht owners. I thought their prices were good and standard for this type of shop. The most importantly reason to stop at this place is that it has tons of character. I read the two reviews from 2021, maybe things have changed since then. I did not experience any smoke (or even latent smell of past cigaret smoke) or conservative anything on my visit, and I certainly would have if there were any. I will definitely be stopping by regularly from now on! read more

Trader Mort's Liquor - the entrance to the store - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Diego, California

To start, what an awesome building and location. The tiki design with torches is great. I've been in the area for a few years and over half of the time there is a younger guy working. He has zero personality. I'm not looking to make friends when I pick up a 6 pack but he hardly will give a "hello" back when greeted. To a point where he is what I imagine is unintentionally rude. I've stopped going and decided to go to Stars and Stripes across the street. read more

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE PICTURES ONLINE. Walked in to Smoke, blech! Supply is limited and the stores only redeeming for quality is how cute it looks from the outside. I think this guy makes all of his money catering to retired dudes from old money. He blasts right wing radio, the kind that denigrates humans and shouts on 11 how right wing politics is the only kind of politics #democracyisdead. If you are looking for Tiki, it's overpriced and a super small selection, not worth the drive. read more

This placebis awful. The owner was smoking inside, making the whole store smell like an ashtray. He was also rude and unapproachable. He was not wearing a mask and neither were most of his clients which he clearly didnt care. Blaring republican bullshit radio and had mostly wine, zero tiki shit. Would never buy anything from this dirty hovel. read more

Being from San Diego and dipping my toes into Tiki Culture, Trader Mort's was a name I found when doing my late-night dives of all things Tiki. I will preface this by saying we were completely unaware of the reviews until I researched a bit more afterward. We walked in Sunday evening with our only goal of checking out this pretty historic liquor store (and maybe picking up a mug) and seeing everything it had to offer. Walking in it was a nice and cozy environment with the interior aging gracefully and a nice selection of snacks, alcohol, fishing bait, and ingredients for Tiki drinks. We were pleasantly greeted by the store worker (whose name I believe was Jonathan) and after giving us a bit of history about the building we decided to purchase one of the Trader Mort mugs and make our way out. Jonathan really seemed like he was glad to have our business and us being from a different part of San Diego, he even recommended us a nearby restaurant to try out. Overall it was a very pleasant experience and while it was unfortunate to see afterward that others haven't had the same privilege, I would say to anyone who is interested in visiting, to at least give it a chance and look for Jonathan, which I believe he mentioned is only there Sundays. read more

Drove up doorside, went in, no customers 'cept me, snatched a bottle o' sake, placed it on counter, realized I forgot my mask, said so to cashier, be right back, and then spent 20 seconds retrieving mask thru car door. So, I come back. Still no customers. I stand at counter to pay. Guy ignores me while he watches TV for 2 minutes, says nothing. I now note that he has no mask on and there is no plexiglass/other screen. So, after his 'statement?' is abundantly clear, I finally say, 'OK, f*ck you too' and I leave. I am 60 and have said that to only a handful of people in my life. There are 4 liquor stores within a 2 block radius (no exaggeration). Go to one of those! These guys have zero respect for themselves, you, or your loved ones. I can only assume that this place is reserved for Trump mask /virus denier douche bags? Dunno. All I know is that the face of the biz (May 13, 7 pm) is, literally, toxic. read more

What a dump. Dirty, not very well stocked, hotter than Hades inside. No air-conditioning or fans whatsoever. Smelled like a combination of donuts and cigarette butts in there. The guy uses a frozen food display case with the sliding doors removed, to display candy bars. Old cans of SpaghettiOs and pinto beans collecting dust on the miniature shelves. If you're staying down on shelter Island, sadly, he is the only game in town for a snack. read more

Lots of bad reviews but come on guys, it what is is. Cool decor, its right near your boat and they generally have what you came in for. All good. read more

Has what I need, when I need it. Idk what all the hate is about but it's your typical liquor store!!

The owner has serious control and anger issues. The Pepsi delivery guy was there and he treated him like the worst of the worst and then tries to be nice to me. When a person is rude to another person that's only trying to help them (Pepsi guy) that enrages me and so I didn't take his kindness to me to be nice but manipulative. So, to all the people saying they don't "understand all the hate and at least he's there" are missing the point that just because you're there doesn't mean it gives you a right to be absolutely horrible to your customers and people working for you. The best advice I can give someone coming to shelter Island to stay is to hit the grocery store on the way there or bring some stuff from home so you don't have to go get abused by this guy read more

I just stopped in to look for Seven Tiki Spiced Rum after not being able to find it at 4 other liquor stores and they had it in stock!. The guy who works at Trader Morts was really friendly and helpful plus they have a good collection of tiki farm mugs for sale. I definitely recommend this liquor store to anyone who's looking for a specialty rum. read more

Trader Mort's Liquor - Tiki Farm stir stick available at Trader Morts - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

This liquor store is one of a kind. It compliments the likes of the nearby Bali Hai in terms of hawaiian style. Mike, who's family owns the place, is a real nice guy and is there on most days. They have a pretty nice wine selection, some good beers to pick from and just enough of the essentials in the munchie department. They have there own couple of parking spots right up against the building for convenience. As long as they always have my Sugar-free Red Bulls, they'll keep seeing me. Long live Trader Morts! read more

Would give no stars if possible. The guy that works the front counter is extremely rude and made me and my mom feel very uncomfortable while shopping. He was honestly an a-hole. He was not wearing a mask and when my mom put her card in the card reader it denied it so he literally snatched out of her hand, put in in the card reader, COUGHED INTO HIS HANDS, then grabbed her card gave it back. DO NOT SHOP HERE. He was so rude. read more

Rude service over and over again from multiple gas station clerks. I only go here because it is convenient for while I'm at work. I'll go the extra block to deal with the 7/11 read more

Worst experience I have ever had at a store. When I went to buy my things he was on his phone and he made me wait til he was done. After I paid him he threw my change at me. That wasn't even the worst paid my dad whenever he bent over to pick something up he made a fart noise which was very immature. The outside of this place looks nice but the inside is not great and the service is also terrible go somewhere else not HERE. read more

Not a lot of liquor store owners go out of their way for great presentation, but Trader Mort's does. They have these rad flaming torches outside -- like 6 of 'em -- with fire coming out and shit. A great place to buy tallboys for sneaking into the Bali Hai nearby. Good sandwiches too. read more

Went into Trader Morts (the "tiki friendly" liquor store on Shelter Island) to look for a hard to find Rum. Rush Limbaugh was blaring over the radio and the two guys behind the counter were trash-talking the President. I left Trader Morts, never to return again. No wonder the tiki in front of the store is frowning read more

Ok, can't say much for the selection cause I'm a simple girl, but they always have what I need when I want it. LOVE the decor and the Tiki Torches outside. That's what drew me in the first time. Keep up the good work guys! read more

Came in for some Ginger Beer mixer and looked like they had a decent selection. Small but, looked like it packed a punch for variety. Was a quick and painless transaction so not much to say but, I would definitely return if passing by and in need of some kind of beverage or snack! read more

The greatest liquor store on earth...if only because they have tikis AND tiki torches burning at night. And cool t shirts. As per an earlier poster, there was no Faux News nor Obama bashing going on when I was there, so this place gets a full five stars! read more

I love the Tiki/Hawaiian decorations of this place. It different and cool. Plus, it's a 2 story liquor store. I don't drink much alcohol, but when I do I know what kind of taste I'm going for. They have a pretty good selection of drinks. The staff here has always been kind in helping me find a what kind of drinks to buy and/or make. read more

All the necessities for keeping you full & happy on the boat or a snack/beer at home after dinner.

The best thing about this place is the tiki out front. I expected them to have a much better selection and was disappointed by what they had. read more

I bought a bottle of Lavagne Scotch here about a week ago, got it home and pour some looking forward to a good scotch. Turned out it was bad, I know because I've had it before. So I called the store and was told I had to talk to the owner who was not there. Stopped up the next day and missed him by 10 minutes so I left the bottle there for him to check. I talked to him this morning and he said he was waiting to talk to the wholesaler. He called back later to say come up and pick something of equal value. I went up and picked up a bottle of 15 year old Macallan which is the same level as the Lavagne I had purchased. I'd definitely recommend this store because they stand behind there merchandise, the employees are always nice, plus the owner goes out of his way to order what you want. read more