I have been going to this store for years. Today my wife and I stopped in to buy a bunch of wine. We are in our 30s. The cashier wanted us both to show ID and my wife didn't have hers. I understand that may be their store policy but the cashier was extremely rude and condescending. I am so upset because this store used to be a favorite of mine but now they have lost a customer forever. read more

The manager was extremely rude sitting on her phone texting when we walked into the store and looked extremely bothered to be asked a question, my wife and myself went to get a bottle of champagne for New Year's Eve , and were denied as she didn't have her id (we're both 30) okay fine store policy is fine but the eye role and "who leaves the house on New Year's Eve without an id" and plenty of oh wells and indifference to the situation , was not acceptable. Avoid for sure. read more

This is the best place in the area for wine selection because the staff is so knowledgeable about their products. I have limited education on wine but love to drink it. I always need help finding something. I like looking for new wines to purchase along with my favorites. I feel I'm always filling up my wine refrigerator so I do look for moderately priced wines. I love buying from small family vineyards. Through assistance of their great staff I have found some really wonderful wines under $10. Ok don't laugh I'm serious! These wines don't break the bank and taste really good. My favorite wine is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, but for it averages between $20-25 a bottle. So they introduced me to a wine from a small family vineyard that many local restaurants use as their house wine, Ca'Donini Pinot Grigio. I have been buying this wine ever since they recommend it, but on occasion I treat myself to my favorite. Now on the flip side I've gone in for gifts as we have family members who really know their wines and have a more expansive pallet than myself. I ask for assistance, tell them what I want to spend and what kind of wine I'm looking for....jackpot every time! They have a tasting room in the back which is fun to try. Case price discounts and watch for their coupons. They also carry a good selection of beer and hard liquor. read more

This review may be a little biased considering they had one of my favorite wines in their inventory, which is hard to come by in Jersey. I'd tell you what it is, but that would potentially mean less for me so I'll keep it to myself. Overall, they have a pretty decent selection of wines. Not nearly as impressive as a Total Wine though. The prices are a little high for retail, but if you buy a case you'll essentially get back to the price you would be paying at a Total Wine or Bottle King. read more

Went in here to buy a bottle of vodka. I am over the legal drinking age but had my younger sister with me. The cashier very rudely and degradingly refused to let me purchase the alcohol in front of various other customers. She shoved my id back at me after I explained that I was over the legal drinking age and that I was the one purchasing the liquor, NOT my sister. To make matters worse, the other cashier began to join in, the two of them degrading us in front of everyone. I understand store policy, but this is no way to treat a human being. Spoke with the manager afterwards who essentially said there was nothing he could do because "it is very hard to find people who want to work there". Their prices are also a rip off. I went to the wine outlet afterwards in the holmdel commons and got the same exact bottle of vodka for $6 less! read more

Been going there since they opened .. spend anywhere between 300 to 500 a month and asked the woman there for one of the wooden crates that they have ( one of the employees said there are a bunch in the back but said i needed to ask the manager ) when I asked the manager ( a woman) she said NO.. we use them for a display in the front .. and there is no display.. this was for a school project for my grandson .. Really its a box... thanks for nothing.. I have been taking my business elsewhere read more

I will make it a point to return when business brings me to the area again. Outstanding beer and wine selection, large cooler, plus usual liquors. Close enough to best prices I have found, and better than NY. Made helpful offer to carry items to car. Greeted by owner or manager. Tricky intersection at Bethany Road and Route 35, so plan your turn in advance. Parking lot is shared with Verizon Wireless, your landmark. Ignore the typos in their website; they are better than that: www.wineacademysuperstores.com/contact.html read more

Don't know anything about wine? Look no further. This is literally a super-store of vino. The people that work there are ridiculously friendly and knowledgable. Just mention what vague genre you want, and boom, you are pointed to shelves and shelves of all different wine types. They've got every price range, so for those budget cautious, don't think this place is not for you! If you do know anything about wine, have fun. It's a wine playground! read more

Clearly I am finished shopping there!! I'm assuming the manager is the tall woman with short grayish/blonde hair because she's nothing but rotten!! Her personality is horrible. I've given that store business even though she's been horribly rude!! Well I've had enough. There are plenty of other places that I will be taking my business to. And rest assured, family and friends feel the same way!!! Shame on you!! read more

This place has the WORST customer service! I'm 38 years old and went in there to buy our wine. Realizing I didn't have my ID my husband then went with his ID and they wouldn't serve him because they thought it was for me! Mind you, I'm 38 years old and sitting here with my two kids in the car. With a very condescending tone she told him that she couldn't serve him because of the abc rules which we are well aware of. We went to buy rite and will never we step foot in there again.....I guess that was "buy wrong" read more

If you want discount liquor go to Circus. But if you're looking for some nice bottles of wine and liquor, a better selection than your local shop then you come here. This is a very nice store with a very knowledgeable wine "sommelier" - I can't remember his name, but he is very helpful. The selection is by far the best one around Monmouth County, is up to snuff with what you would see in a nicer city rather than a strip mall in Hazlet. read more

Immense selection of beer, wine, and liquor. I have had a few occasions where I needed something a little more special and slightly difficult to find perhaps? And their customer service was very supportive. They contacted their distributors immediately over the phone to help me source bottles of King George. The prices also beat Holmdel marginally, so if you are shopping and spending more than a few hundred, you would probably save more coming here. The only time I had any difficulty, and I suppose I should say this is our own fault, was last summer when we had to do a beer run. My friend (well into his 30's) left his wallet at home. I'm looking 16 years old, but am actually 26, with ID in hand. The lady at the register had to turn us away because my friend did not have his ID and was in the store with us. State law. I'm sure if it was a mom and pop shop, they could have looked away. But being a franchise, I can understand the risk they did not want to take. Will still come back. Cheers! read more

I have never been to a more terrible store than this. Rip-off prices and rude workers. Don't waste your time here when there are so many better stores around. read more

Updated: Their 20% discount ad is a scam. I bought 12 bottles from them,but they told me all 12 bottles were on sale, so I can not use the 20% discount coupon. This is not true, I bought those wines several times a year, always that same price. ============================== This is an OK place to buy wines, possibly deserves 3 or 4 stars. However, I decide to give 2 stars because of one poor experience. They offer 15% if you purchase 12 bottles of wine. Since they did not have 12 bottles of my desired wine, I picked several other wine on the same shelf. Unfortunately, one bottle was not considered wine in their computer system, so I actually only got 10% discount. That's fine. However, I was pissed off because the employee repeatly confirmed that I got 15% discount, even when I raised the question after seeing 10% on the screen. I will still go there, but please do not be greedy, train your employees! read more

If anyone cares about being treated well they wouldn't shop here. I've been going to this place for over 3 years now. Each time I go I can tell the manager doesn't care for the customers but I ignore it. Today I went in and I misspoke asking if they had KBS instead of BCBS. She gave me flack about it and went to get the beer anyway. When I made a friendly comment that I was excited about one of the flavors she literally said the words "well clearly you don't know beer because you asked for KBS instead of BCBS. We try to save these for our regular customers." Said it with a huge attitude and for no reason. I've not only shopped there regularly for 3 years but I also was one their emailing list and regularly would buy my craft beer there. The manager has always been unfriendly. When I told her that I didn't deserve the attitude she acted like she could care less about me. She said "other people will buy." I felt like I was being "big timed" by a store manager who could care less for my business. If you care about supporting businesses that actually value their customers and don't view them as peasants who should feel grateful to spend their money there you shouldn't shop here. read more

Worst service I have ever received. The clerk was very rude and condescending. I never experienced type of service anywhere. I do not recommend this place. Go somewhere else for your needs. Never coming back here again. Especially if you are ethnic. read more

Great liquor store, easily the best in the area. If you're like me and your tastes run a little more specific, this is the only option around. The store is located on Route 35 next to the Verizon store, so it's pretty easy to find and there's always good parking spots available. They do samplings of beer and wine, there's a schedule on a board when you enter. The wine and hard liquor selection are quite extensive. But that's not what I come here for. Their beer selection never fails to disappoint. Harder to find seasonals, local brews, and limited editions are on full view. The only downside to this store is that their prices are a little high and that their focus on specialized beers may exclude the average consumer. If you're looking for a bottle of Yellowtail and a case of Yeungling, then this is not the place for you. If you're a more discerning alcoholic consumer, then get yourself over to this store and treat yo self! read more

This place is great. Customer service top notch. I had a question about a certain type of wine that I needed for an occasion. Asked a guy who appeared to be the manager. He spent several minutes helping me out, suggesting some good bottles and describing them. I bought a red and a white. Both were very good. Highly recommend this place read more

My girlfriend & I frequent this store quite often. Last night around 9pm my gf entered the store. She had just gotten off of work & her hair was disheveled. As she went to the counter the 2 girls that were working started laughing at her out loud. After speaking to the manager who wasn't much help at all, my gf left not only embarrassed but hurt. The owners of this liquor store should talk to his staff about 1) professionalism and 2) customer service etiquette! This will be our last time at this place! And I urge all of you to take your business elsewhere as we all have been a victim of ridicule at some point! Waiting on a response from management! read more

This is aimed at who I assume is the manager (tall, gray haired woman w/glasses) Wine Academy Hazlet, NJ. I totally get we're in a pandemic. Since this pandemic has started I've shopped there maybe 8 times. Today, 4/21/2020 a little after 9AM, I put the hand sanitizer on and followed the yellow one way papers taped to the floor. This woman asks me if I'm 60 years and responded with do I look 60? In a voice I can only describe as gov whitmer from michigan, tells me "we have to protect our customers over 60, so come back at 10 o'clock". I start to leave and let out a "jesus christ". She starts raising her voice a little "you can jesus christ all you want"! Then I let out a "what a f#%cking joke" and she replies "don't bother coming back!" A clean place and decent prices go only so far. most of the staff I dealt with are very nice but this "manager" is a disgrace and should be ashamed of herself...terrible! I only go there in order of errands to run. read more

One of the best in the area because of their vast selection. Others have limited selections. Quality wines from all the major areas. Lots of specialty beers to try with an above average spirits collections. Pricing is competitive and staff are helpful with wine selections based on what you are looking for. read more

What a horrible experience. First, a man who worked there yelled racially discriminatory things to me and my friend, and when i asked him to explain himself he walked away. Next, we went to check out, and the shopkeeper denied me service -- we are all over 21, by the way. read more

passport isn't a valid ID? Really? So I can leave the country but at 27 years old I can't buy beer with a valid passport, credit cards in my name, and a just expired license. Never coming here again. read more

This place is a little pricey but the staff knows it stuff...if you tell them what you like they can offer some suggestions! The place by the Pep Boys is okay and Buy Rite in Cliffwood is less expensive and has a similar selection but I like this store from a esthetic point of view read more

Simply a great wine store. Their wine selection, price, and staff make this place shine. They also have a large collection of craft beers and an enhanced selection the usual six-pack suspects. There are also wine and beer tastings weekly. read more

Every time I come here I leave with another fabulous wine that I'd never heard of before walking in, and every time I am THRILLED with the recommendation. They carry everything from obscure Basque wines to Organic wines, local beers and any sort of specialty apertif you may ever want. Prices are a bit high for the area, but you're paying for solid advice from educated, wine-loving staff. If this place was any closer to home I'd most definitely develop a very expensive drinking problem. read more

Best price for wine if you use their 20% off coupon and I save on gas not driving to other stores.. You can find it in the Independent. Everyone is very helpful and friendly and will special order something if they don't have it in stock. Highly recommended. Pete Hazlet,NJ read more

Very disappointed. Went there for kosher wines and they had a very limited selection. It is Passover and you would think they would stock a variety of flavors. They didn't. read more

My girlfriend and I are huge fans of this great store. It opened about a year ago, and we are in there at least once a week. My girlfriend loves the wine selection and Scott and Jason are very informative and very very helpful! I, however, can usually be found in the craft beer area. They have a pretty good selection (not the best) but they make up for it with their knowledge and changing selection. The 2 guys Matt and Tim are great and always help with recommendations that match my taste. Overall this store is great and we will keep on coming. read more

Overpriced, understaffed and condescending management. Decent selection though so at least they have that going for them. There are plenty of options in the area that offer great selections at a better price point. read more

Nice store with a pretty decent beer selection. Tim the beer manager is very knowledgable and helpful in picking out the best beer to try. I've been a loyal customer here for a few years now but I'm pretty unhappy with the direction the store is going in lately. The store manager isn't very nice or personable. Half of the time she seems like she s in her own world and has no idea what is going on. My biggest complaint is that they recently fired some of their best staff (specifically their wine/beer expert Joe) and brought in some thugs who don't appear to know the business. The Tuesday night beer tastings are cool but there are much better stores with much better prices in the area. read more

This store sold me an opened bottle of whiskey that I only noticed was open when I got home. I went into the store to ask if I could exchange it for an unopened bottle? The manager basically called me a liar by saying she had no way of knowing if that was the case. So I am out almost $40 thanks to the customer service of this store. read more

This store is completely overpriced! Purchased a bottle of liquor there and then found it $20 cheaper at another liquor store. They would not give a refund or exchange for the unopened box and bottle! Terrible! Never shopping there again! read more

Please, this place is an absolute joke and I would never spend a dime here. My husband and I stopped in to pick up a few bottles of wine - I didn't feel like lugging around my giant commuter bag as we did our nightly errands since he had his. Weird I have to state that in my review, right? They wanted to ID both of us, even though I was not the person purchasing just along for the ride. We are both of age, and I respect places that do ID, but that is a bit extreme. What annoyed me the most was how we kindly explained to the manager why I didn't have mine with me and she was extremely rude and nasty. Which is always uncalled as a business woman - she should know better - since its actually not the law you need to do that. So single parents or parents doing errands, if you ever need to stop in a liquor store leave the kids in the car (safe, right) because they probably wont sell to you as they are not of age and ID anyone in the store. All in all, I would never purchase here again after being treated with such disrespect from the store manager. We went elsewhere, got what we needed to and carried on. P.S wine acadamey's prices are not good either we got so many nicer wines at a truly discounted price. read more

I jjust would like to inform customers of an experience that I encountered while visiting this store on Route 35 Hazlet on December 23, 2013. I came into this shop at 9 AM Monday morning to purchase a gift card. The cashier could not do this transaction and called upon a stock employee to complete it for her. While standing there at the register the stock employee took out his own giftcard from his shirt pocket and scanned that instead of the one I was purchasing that was sitting on the counter at the register. After taking the money from me for this transaction, I exclaimed that I did not see the giftcard activated. They insisted it was done and that the employee was so quick at it, that I missed seeing him doing it myself. Well I showed them that the receipt I was given DID NOT match the card # on my giftcard and insisted they check it on the register in front of me. The manager came over and did such and it showed $0 balance. The manager did not seem surprised and made his stockguy go to the Back of the Store to fix it". ,The employees are scamming customers of giftcards. They are not activating the giftcards and adding the money to their own cards. I reported this to the corporate headquarters and they are telling me that this was just an honest mistake. This was done with intent to steal from customers thinking we are not aware of what is happening. I will NEVER visit this store again and I wonder how many people have giftcards with no money on them. I insisted on getting a refund and left this store. read more