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Buckingham Wine & Spirits
Category: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
3293 Lakeshore Ave(between Lake Park Ave & Trestle Glen Rd)
Oakland, CA 94610
Neighborhoods: Lakeshore, Lower Hills
(510) 465-7000
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Maureen M. said: "This is the greatest wine shop in SF! I managed to get Kistler Chardonnay for $59.- each, and the manager steered me toward some excellent choices for a little cocktail party I am doing. I don't know my domestic reds very well, and…" read more »
14 reviews for Buckingham Wine & Spirits
14 reviews in English
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Review from Richard W.
Oakland, CA
5/21/2012
For such a modest looking place, they have a great selection of wine and beer. The owners, while quiet and reserved, and very nice and helpful. I don't think they drink alcohol, but if you need advice, they can tell you what's popular with their other customers. We're lucky to have such a great source of beverages in our neighborhood.
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Review from Hannah A.
11/8/2011
You were good to me last friday night.
All I wanted was a bottle of my favorite red and to curl up under a blanket with it . I was able to do that ( before getting thoroughly smashed).
Lucky for me the Walgreens across the street doesn't sell booze and Buckingham carries my favorite , Ménage à Trois. They have a large variety of wines including one called "Hanna" that I'm eager to buy. The beer selection is great. I noted Red Hook Blonde, Stone IPA, Amstel and the usual. They sell Marlboro 27's and though I'm not encouraging you to smoke you would be surprised how many liquor stores I've been in that have forced me to settle for camel filters ( rarrr) and I've been on those blends since the great flood.
Dropped 35 for a Sixer, a pack of smokes, bottle of wine and a 4 dollar wine opener. Pricey but I'm happy to pay for what I want. -
Review from tarabud s.
CA
12/6/2011
Excellent wine and beer shop. Also, the owners likes to write little description cards for the wine which I really appreciate. Plus they are always helpful with finding the perfect selection for event I am attending. I've never had a bad experience here. Even found a cool pair of cheap sunglasses. Score!
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Review from Mariah M.
Anchorage, AK
2/18/2009
For a neighborhood liquor store, Buckingham's is amazingly good. I am a beer person, and I am always impressed with their selection of beer - they have a wide range that covers everything from California to Belgium. I am a little less a wine person, but I have found many wines that I like here, and that I consider to be well-priced. I appreciate that they take the time to put little notes next to the wine ("Very fruity!" "Rated blah blah in WIne Spectator!"), because it makes me feel a little better about buying a cheap bottle of wine with a pretty label.
They also have an ENORMOUS wall of the hard stuff, so I think there is a good chance that you can find what you're looking for here for your cocktail du jour. You might have to search for it yourself though, because I don't think that the owners are actually too well versed in alcohol. Case in point: I made crock pot apple cider (num num!) over the holidays, and the recipe suggested that I spike it with some apple brandy.
Cut scene.
LOCATION: Buckingham Wine & Spirits, a cold and windy December evening.
ME: (no clue, really) I'm looking for apple brandy...?
COUNTER-LADY: (no clue, really) Hmm... (points to assorted brandies) Pear? Peach? I don't see apple...
ME: Uh, well, I'm making apple cider. Can you recommend something?
COUNTER-LADY: (completely flummoxed) ...I don't really drink. At all.
So, I ended up with some apple-flavored Bacardi. It worked. But I can't help wondering what could have been, and if there was a dusty bottle of apple brandy hidden away somewhere high on a shelf.
By the way, I have never had any bad encounter with the people who work here. They have always been sweet, courteous, non-alcoholic enablers. NPR is always playing behind the counter. I am never judged.
Also, they have ice cream. What more could you want?Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Lefty R.
San Francisco, CA
10/11/2011 13 Check-ins Here
For a neighborhood liquor store, they have a nice selection of beer, wine and spirits. I definitely frequent here over something else, like a Trader Joes. I like that it's locally owned and not part of a chain, plus he service is friendly and quick.
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Review from Nikki c.
Oakland, CA
2/12/2007
They have an eclectic selection. Do you know anyone who has a drink that's they ONLY thing they will drink???? I have friends like that. Well, trying to be the good hostess I went to BevMo, thinking they would have this particular cognac.....ummmmm NO.
I went here as a last resort, and they had the specific brand, in several sizes!!!! They also have the early edition of the Sunday Chronicle available on Sat evening, so you can get started on perusing the sale circulars and planning that Sunday morning shopping spree!
The staff is also very friendly and non-judgmental of your purchases. -
Review from eric k.
Dublin, CA
7/6/2007
I used to go here a loooong time ago when I worked down the street. They used to have Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale!!!
Ok.. this place is about a closet wide.. .and definitely had that liquor store feel where they are watching you all the time... and about you shoot you for shoplifting...
Too bad... it's probably waranted.... good luck guys... -
Review from Rikki N.
Oakland, CA
It's a little pricy but it's a nice, cute little liquor store. They have a ton of wines, liquors, and smokes. You'll be surprised at how large the selection is for such a small store. Friendly staff as well. I dig it.
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Review from banshee l.
Oakland, CA
3/19/2011
too bad. I called to see if they had any amaros. Here's the convo:
Him: "We have some, Montenegro, Nonino and I can't remember the other two"
Me: "Can you find out for me?"
Him: "They're in the back"
Me: "Can you find out what they are?"
He does go and check and provide me with the other names.
Me; "What's the price on the last two you said"
Him: "I don't know. I need the phone line"
AND HANGS UP!
I call back and say "Did you just hang up on me?"
Him: "Yes, I said I needed the phone line"
Me: "You didn't even wait for my response and ask me?"
Him: "I have several customers in line and I needed to run the machine."
Me: "And that's how you tell me by hanging up?"
Him: "I did tell you"
Me: "Wow, can I speak to your manager?"
Him: "I am the manager"
Enough said. I will not spend a penny anywhere where the manager thinks its ok to just hang up on a person without communicating further. -
Review from Tracy A.
Oakland, CA
8/8/2006
This is our last stop before heading home with an Arizmendi pizza to pick an interesting 22 oz. beer to share in front of the TV watching our most recent Netflix. Perfect for a cold and rainy Friday night in. The staff is always nice and the beer selection always has something worth giving a try. This probably goes without being said but I prefer supporting the local specialized merchants in my neighborhood over the chain stores and they make it easy to do so.
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Review from E K.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2007
my absolute favorite place for wine. Very nice varied selection with great bargains. The family that owns it are also very nice people who you want to buy from and the reccmmendations are spot on.
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Review from D to the R.
Oakland, CA
3/1/2010
Yes, I am a fan of a liquor store. They have a really good beer selection as well as wine. My sister-in-law is a beer and wine snob and was impressed to see a couple of bottles that she really liked at great prices. I also get that feeling like you're being closely watched, and possibly judged for being a drunk. I think of it as part of the irony & charm of the place ;) And they're always nice when you're at the counter paying.
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Review from Conan N.
Oakland, CA
4/26/2010
Great selection of beer, tiny store, neighborhood treasure.
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Review from Joseph T.
Oakland, CA
3/24/2008
I really like the selection at Buckingham. I love going in there to see their large variety of beer. Until yesterday. I went in there to grab to six packs on my way to watch the Chelsea v. Arsenal game. I spent a few minutes making my selection. Newcastle (can't go wrong) and a Belgian Blond. Yummy. I walk up front, place my sixers on the counter. The man behind the counter was on the phone. He took a moment to ring up my hopped up yummyness. Still on the phone, clearly not a work related call (no, no that sounds like a good opportunity). I hand over my credit card. He continues to talk on the phone. No apparent rush to finish my sale. I wait. I'm patient, the game is on the TiVo. I lean way over the counter, the man looks my way. Holds up the credit card and nods. I nod, he continues to talk on the phone. I retreat to my side of the counter. I'm patient. He talks on the phone. I wait. The GF and her kids are in the car. I wait. I'm patient. He talks. I lean back over the counter. He nods. Was that in my direction? No? Yes? Hello? Okay, my well of patience has dried up. I ask for my credit card. He says what? I said my credit card please. He hands it to me, holds out his hand and looks at me. I put my credit card in my wallet. He says cash? I say no, but this is a great example of poor customer service. Have a nice day.
