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Adam's Wines & Liquors
Category: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
620 5th Ave(between 17th St & 18th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 768-1521
- Nearest Transit:
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Prospect Av (D, N, R)
25 St (D, N, R)
4 Av (F, G)
- Hours:
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
36th Avenue Wine & Spirits is your full service neighborhood liquor store. We have a vast collection of wines and spirits from all over the world at… read more »
32 reviews for Adam's Wines & Liquors
Review Highlights
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"Also sampled a bit of their Polish honey vodka and BOOM." In 6 reviews -
"...your wine for you, and have wine tastings on Saturdays." In 6 reviews -
"Adam has a great wine selection and is always willing to..." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Karla N.
Brooklyn, NY
1/2/2012
Love Adam and his wife Elitzia. Large wine selection, good prices, friendly staff, etc.. I mainly drink white wine, and I like that they frequently change the bottles in the cooler case, which helps me mix up my routine. The spirits selection could be a little broader, but it's a much nicer shopping experience than Bay River with it's fifths, day time drunks, and lotto machines. Great local shop.
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Review from A R.
Brooklyn, NY
3/1/2012
I don't know where to start. I've been in this place many times. Lately, purely out of convenience. It's always an uncomfortable experience. How can I describe the owner best? He seems to be charming to most of the reviewers. To me, he seems sweaty, needy, pushy, controlling, ignorant and cheap. You'll find that out if you ever actually attempt to cash in that card they push on you over and over and over again.
He'll pull out his calculator and pencil. Then somehow, instead of getting a "free" bottle of wine based on your purchases; you'll get some reduced discount on your purchase.
It is also the only wine store I've ever been in anywhere in NY which doesn't allow dogs. It's against his "insurance". As if his adjustors are lurking around the street waiting for a canine violation to increase his rate.
He's a weird dude. He probably worries that fido will knock over a bottle of overpriced wine and the customer would be too cheap to pay for it like he is; as if that would even happen.
Anyway, he is close and in a pinch if you miss the better shops, he's open 30 minutes later than most. I say just try to plan ahead and avoid. -
Review from Tracy G.
New York, NY
2/1/2012
I love Adam and his wife. Their story is a great one, and their little wine shop is a wonderful business in the neighborhood (GREENWOOD HEIGHTS, not WT or "South Slope"). Now that we've left GH, I can't just pick up a bottle or three on the way home any more, but still find myself at Adam's whenever I want a new wine recommendation. They've introduced me to a number of my favorite wines. No, it's not Slope Cellars or Windsor Wine Merchants, but it is definitely a GH institution.
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Review from Ian B.
Brooklyn, NY
2/9/2012
I have to agree with the bad reviews here. As much as I want to support this store, mainly because it's the closest to my house, I just can't seem to find very many good things to say about it.
The selection is just bizarre with all sorts of inferior examples of standard varietals and lots of obscure ones that seem to have too much prominence on the shelves. I have to wonder what's going through the minds of the distributors who sell to Adam. Is he seen a sucker who'll buy a few cases of some little known Italian red that no other store wants?
Adam is probably his own worst enemy when it comes to customer service. He's pushy, comes across as slightly unhinged, and has yet to convince me that he knows anything about geography, agriculture, viticulture, climatology, geology, or any of the other factually based sciences that a wine store owner should be comfortable discussing on a casual level with a curious customer. Ask him a legitimate wine question like "Is this Bordeaux from the Right or Left Bank? More Cabernet or more Merlot?" and he'll launch into some story about how the wine is "fantastic" and when he was in France he met a guy who was blah, blah, blah.... You'll never get an answer and be sorry you even asked.
Here's a tip: If you have to go to this store, try and go on Mondays and Tuesdays when Adam isn't there. That's when the other guy is working - Anthony I think? - he's way more personable, knowledgeable, and just all around helpful. -
Review from oraia r.
Brooklyn, NY
1/5/2011
Sorry folks - I'm all for supporting small businesses, but just not on the Yelp fan wagon on this one.
Adam is pompous, ALWAYS tries to upsell and his wine selection is really boring, typical stuff. He's still got 2007 roses for retail price, for chrissakes, when he should be giving them away at this point.
He's so unpleasantly pushy and abrasive, and the punch card "discount" totally changes too. I've now gone out of my way to not buy wine here. Which sucks as I either make the trek to Slope Cellars or buy wine on the way home from work and haul it back.Listed in: Sun Slope/Sunset Park/South…
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Review from Brett W.
5/10/2009
How many times have I walked into Adam's Wines and left a little tipsy? More than I can count.
But Adam's is so much more than a place to get a free shot (or shots) from the charmingly adorable and knowledgeable husband and wife duo who run the store.
Admittedly, I don't know that much about wines. I have a few brands that I always purchase, but when I want something new, I usually get whatever bottle looks the prettiest. Then, Adam rightfully says, "No no no" and picks out a better wine in about 0.2 seconds. Friendly, attentive, and extremely wise. Love the free wine tasting on Saturdays too. -
Review from Aaron B.
Brooklyn, NY
11/5/2010
Adam is great. Our first time there and he was giving my wife a lesson on grapes, European vs. Long Island prices and darn if that krupnik wasn't tasty. We walked out with a few bottles of wine and a fifth of a Polish vodka we have never tried (and it was fantastic!).
We'll be back. -
Review from Jodi V.
8/5/2008
I like this wine shop. It's small and there are like 3 employees (a husband and wife and another guy, all friendly. They give great recommendations, chill your wine for you, and have wine tastings on Saturdays. They also have a small selection of other booze and sake.
Don't go in scrubs or you'll get a 30 minute lecture on health care. -
Review from Ben M.
Brooklyn, NY
11/16/2008
I will have to join the chorus of praise for Adam and his fine emporium of wines and liquors. I had noticed the store in my neighborhood but didn't imagine it would be anything but another wine store. After meeting Adam and being made to feel so incredibly welcome in his store, I really can't imagine ever going anywhere else.
Adam's distinguishes itself by not being just another liquor and wine store, but a place where you can get to know the owners, chat and learn about liquors and wines, and really get a sense of community. The neighborhood is lucky to have it. -
Review from Raphael D.
Brooklyn, NY
6/5/2011
A great little shop that makes me glad to live in South Slope. Almost every type of wine is carried here with a considered and thoughtful selection and the service is friendly. I wanted to pick up a dry Riesling for a dinner and after telling the clerk my preference for dry and my budget of twenty dollars she recommended a bottle that I couldn't stop drinking. They'll also chill your wine for a few minutes so it'll be cool when you get to whatever soirée you're going to.
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Review from Suzanna T.
Brooklyn, NY
9/14/2009
My first time at the store I picked up a couple bottles of moderately priced reds, and when I casually mentioned that I intended to make sangria, Adam and his wife immediately protested- no, no, no they would not have me ruin such good wine by making it into sangria. Adam pulled a big bottle of a less expensive red blend from the shelf, and told me it was just as good for making my sangria- and he was right- it was just as good, if not better than the sangrias I have made in the past- and he saved me more than $20.
They have wine tastings on Saturday afternoons, a discount card (your 13th bottle is 99cents!) and will also chill your white wines for you while you wait. I love chatting to them and when I go to Adam's I don't feel like I am going to a liquor store- it's like going to visit a neighbor or friend of the family.... and I am still craving another shot of the stawski krupnik "honey vodka" that they gave me, so I'm sure I'll be visiting them again soon! -
Review from Salvatore R.
Brooklyn, NY
11/24/2009
Attentive service, a decent selection of wine, amusing conversation - all of this is to be had at this wines/liquor store. Any time I walk in there, I'm greeted with a hello, asked about my wine choice (if I've had it before, and if so what I thought about it). If it's one of the cheaper wines they ask if I'd like it chilled. There's a wide variety of vodkas from Poland as well. The honey vodka I'm told is delicious.
Apparently they do whiskey/vodka tastings on Fridays in the afternoons, at least in the summer. Haven't been but it's on my radar. -
Review from Matt M.
Brooklyn, NY
9/26/2011
One of the best parts about moving out of greenwood: not having Adam's as your only wine store option within walking distance. If you are/were a regular here, you know that he thinks every single thing on the shelf is "fantastic." Truth be told, as nice as the guy is, and free honey vodka shots aside, the selection is boring and the prices suck. I've also gotten a few bottles from here that turned (likely due to improper storage).
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Review from South S.
Brooklyn, NY
11/24/2011
Great family run business. The wines are a little pricier than some other places, but I always have a good experience when I go in there.
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Review from Jessica S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/24/2008
Adam's is great! The owners are friendly and passionate about their store. They always have suggestions and are eager to provide taste tests and explain more about the products that they sell. They have an interesting array of wines and liquors--especially of the Polish variety. They also provide a frequent buyer card, so your 13th bottle of wine is free. You will fall in love with Adam and his wife. They are sweeties.
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Review from Andrea L.
2/14/2009
Five minutes in Adam's Wines and you'll want to buy everything in the store. (Yes, need may arise to put AA on speed dial, but that's hardly the point.) After hearing my guy wax poetic about this place for so long, we finally stopped in to pick up some prosecco. I was completely won over by Adam and his wife's warm hospitality, sense of humor, and knowledge. I don't think I've ever been so convinced to like a place bc of service in such a short time before. Also sampled a bit of their Polish honey vodka and BOOM! Wow, that stuff hits you harder than a truck on roadkill, but it's good!
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Review from Caitlin M.
Brooklyn, NY
8/20/2010
Adam is certainly a charmer. He's knowledgeable and more importantly, super personable. He's frank, fun to talk to and pleasant when you haven't a clue as to what you're hankering for.
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Review from morecawfee M.
Brooklyn, NY
11/6/2007
Best service in the nabe. Adam and his wife are both adorable and awesome and will happily offer great advice on whatever you're looking for. On some Saturdays, they do killer wine tastings (with the occasional honey-infused vodka thrown in...mmm). Go!
Listed in: South Slope favs: The List*
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Review from Vanessa S.
Brooklyn, NY
10/2/2011
Adam's has been a wonderful place to go to since I moved to this neighborhood 3 years ago! Great selection and great prices, plus great customer service. Adam is friendly and talkative. I highly recommend this store! Plus, it's the only place in Brooklyn you can find honey vodka! Need I say more?
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Review from Justin P.
Berkeley, CA
11/11/2009 5 Check-ins Here
The owner, Adam, and his wonderfully adorable wine will help you get the best damn bottle of wine that you're looking for. Adam is extremely helpful. He won't screw you over just to sell a more expensive bottle of wine -- he'll actually tell you to get the cheaper bottle if he thinks you'll enjoy it more. If you get him talking (and it doesn't take much) he will tell you some very interesting/amusing stories about his life growing up in Poland. The moral of the story is -- it doesn't get much better than this.
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Review from Vanessa O.
Brooklyn, NY
3/28/2011
Is this actually windsor terrace? or is it park slope? I guess to me, its a bit more like South Slope. Regardless, there isn't much out here but having Adam's wine shop here is great! I have only been in there a few times, and every time I go in, the people working there are really friendly. You even can get this wine card - i think if you buy a lot you may get discounts. They do have tastings, and I think they even have a chilling station if you want the white wine you buy chilled. There is Adam and his wife and another guy who works there that are all super nice. For someone who loves wine, but doesn't know a whole lot about wine, but just knows that she likes red, I would say this is a great place because there is a lot of choice, and it isn't an intimidating wine place that makes you feel stupid if you don't know what year wine is good. I always try to buy my wine here whenever I do buy wine.
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Review from Bethany M.
Brooklyn, NY
10/18/2010
Like previous posters stated, they are generally friendly and helpful. But, when I finally filled my punch card, it all changed.
I had purchased one $8 bottle, one $25 bottle, and the rest in the $15 range. I chose a $15 bottle for my freebie, thinking it averaged out. After a laborious process (involving a calculator) to determine my free bottle price ($12) I suggested I could pay the difference. Adam said no.
Then my partner (who was holding our baby) went about choosing the wine. Adam suggested a bottle, my partner asked, "Oh, have you had it?" Adam proceeded to raise his voice aggressively, saying he ONLY stocked wines he likes and how dare she suggest otherwise.
Bay River wines is just a few blocks away, it's cheaper, and the owners (the Kims) have only been kind. And if you're going for a punch card, the store on 7th Ave & 15th St (from whom Adam stole the punch card idea and design) don't bother with a calculator.
I think I'll walk the extra blocks from now on. -
Review from Katie C.
Brooklyn, NY
7/22/2009
A neighborhood staple. Adam and his wife are knowledgeable, sweet, and not afraid to hand out free shots (especially if you make the fatal mistake of asking for Grey Goose). Adam will tell you anything you want to know about a bottle of wine without being pushy, and if you decide you want something white he'll chill it for you in has fancy chilling machine. I have yet to check out the wine tastings he does on Saturdays, but I can't imagine they're anything less than boozily fantastic.
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Review from Shawn F.
Brooklyn, NY
11/24/2009
Some more moderately priced wines here, particularly nice dessert wines. Ever so slightly above average prices, but the brilliant service and well-informed advice will always keep me coming back.
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Review from Emmalee M.
Brooklyn, NY
7/8/2010
This may be my one of my favorite things about South Slope. Adam has a great wine selection and is always willing to share suggestions in a completely unpretentious way. He makes wine approachable and has never steered me wrong. He is happy to suggest a bottle at any price, never tries to push expensive products on you and sometimes you leave with a nice shot of Polish vodka in your belly. His wife is equally as kind as well as their one employee. No matter when you visit you're always greeted with a smile...and they have a frequent buyer card too so every 13th bottle is discounted! Love this place!!!
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Review from Mencken H.
Brooklyn, NY
5/15/2009
Adam's passionate, knowledgeable and friendly. If you're lucky you might get a shot of Polish Vodka. My wife and I discovered Adam's the night we moved into the neighborhood and it quickly become our favorite place for purchasing wine. If you're serious about wine I highly recommend you get to Adam's soon.
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Review from Kathleen O.
Brooklyn, NY
11/19/2009
Terrific place! Both Adam and his assistant, also Adam, have great recommendations. Try the Santa Alicia wine, it's the best. And the honey vodka is...deadly. But very good.
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Review from R. H.
Brooklyn, NY
8/31/2010
Love this place - great selection in all price ranges so it's perfect for something basic on a Friday night or something for a special occasion. Also, excellent Polish vodka and great service! Everyone's always friendly and it feels like I'm part of the neighborhood.
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Review from Jennie L.
Brooklyn, NY
8/2/2007 1 photo
This wine store is the best in South Slope. The owners are fabulous and very helpful. They have a punch card, so the 13th bottle you buy is 99 cents! And they have a wine tasting event on Saturdays. Great store!!
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Review from Danielle L.
Haverford, PA
12/2/2009
I agree with all the other reviews - knowledgeable but not snobby and always happy to give you a taste!
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Review from Lauren K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/12/2010
I live around the corner from Adam's and visit him and his wife regularly and it is always an absolute pleasure! We've become very friendly over the years and I'm always greeted with kindness, attentive service, and good chat! Adam knows what wine I like and makes fantastic recommendations. They are generous with their time and attention, going to far as to give my husband and me a gift for our honeymoon! These are people who have outstanding character, a warm sense of community and excellent knowledge of wine. I won't buy wine anywhere else and I feel honored to know them.
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Review from Susie B.
Brooklyn, NY
12/26/2009
This is the best wine store in Brooklyn. The selection is great and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Every wine they've recommended to me has been excellent.
