Thirst Wine Merchants

I’m lucky to live near Thirst: this is the place to go for natural wines in the city. Michael and Emilia are obviously passionate about the wines and winemakers they carry, and are happy to share this with customers. Or sometimes I don’t want to learn much at all, and just need something perfect for the weather, just as easy. Also, the new location looks great. Bonus feature: summertime weekend dance parties in Cuyler Gore Park across the street.

Love this place, even more so since they moved closer to where we live. The offer really interesting wines — a true wine drinker’s store, and specialize in biodynamic, organic, etc. They really know their producers to the region and make awesome suggestions. This is a real wine drinker’s wine shop, and they’re supporting small growers and makers.

Decent selection for a small store but every time I go in the owner complains about something to me, then tries to continue conversation as I’m trying to leave. Sadly, I end up avoiding Thirst & walk further to Gnarly Vines because of it.
Also, I realized they’ve been charging me for bags. I actually prefer NOT having a bag and they don’t ask so that’s particularly annoying.

Thirst has improved 1000% since the previous review. Owners are very cool and they have great stuff at good prices!

Not a good selection with limited stock, so they are always running out and replacing with new brands. Owners are awkward and incessantly bickering, which leaves customers feeling like they need to choose a bottle and get out. Do yourself a favor, head over to Gnarly Vines on Myrtle for better selection, better prices, and better experience overall.

I was offered a wealth of knowledge as well as some cute kittens! I came away with a delicious natural and slightly sparkling white that I enjoyed fully. The woman owner really listened to my request and gave me something I really liked. Yes, the prices are a little high but that is natural wine for you. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m allowing myself an alcoholic treat!

It would be remiss if I did not give my regards to Thirst due to their proximity to Ft. Greene Park, their selection and the affordability of their bottles.
Listen, over the years this place has been hit or miss… but they have stood their ground solidly.
I agree that sometimes the staff can be whacky… but the female owner is kind.
Nowadays I only head over to Thirst en route to Ft. Greene Park for picnics. FYI: Ft. Greene park is the OLDEST park in NYC (older than Central and Prospect) and it is also my favorite park.
There is a hill that overlooks the fields and that is my spot! In the springs/​summers, spouse and I bike there and have long wonderful dinner picnics there in the evenings after work.
The only way to enjoy White is when cold. so Thirst provides us with great chilled Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, Sancerres, Viogniers, etc… We can now take our time on the bike or trek to the park and not worry about the chill!

I’m a huge fan! Came in here with a friend and was delighted to see they allow dogs in their shop – and offer treats! It was a hot day outside and I had my pup with me, so I was very glad to be able to come in with her and enjoy a bit of wine shopping and cooling off. The owner (?) told me they have some rescue kittens and that they were looking for homes. Such nice people! Highly recommend!

I am a huge fan of Thirst. Walking in feels like I’m being transported to a small wine shop in Europe. One of the things I love most about wine is getting to know more about the wineries and the people who produce them, and Thirst does not disappoint here — every time I take a wine to the counter, the woman (I presume the owner) has just gone on and on about how much she likes the wine I’ve chosen and why. I also find the prices to be reasonable, but I also don’t mind paying $ 20 – 30 for a solid wine that I know I’m going to enjoy and not slam down in one sitting (OK, maybe if it’s been that kind of day…). The only thing is that they close at 9 on school nights, which can be tough sometimes when I have a late night at work. I know they do tastings on Thursday; it would be cool if they hosted a few more events. I would absolutely attend.

Great wine store for people who have moved to FG from Tribeca, Soho, or the UWS. This place is so sad.

If you’re looking for nasty service, over-​priced wine and pretentious staff… good news, you found it. Go to Green Grape instead. This place is terrible.

I went here trying to find a good selection of wines in the local area. I visited a wine shop just a block or two away and went here in hopes of more of a vareity.
Bleh.
I’m not so wrapped up about small places because it has become the norm now for me after being in NY for a hot minute so I can’t complain.
I actually like the setup. It’s cute and warm.
But. Every stereotype I had about wanna-​be bougie winos came to life here.
I was ignored and when I finally made eye contact with someone he acted as if I was a nuisance. I politely decline help and he just stared at me.
Anyway, one the positive note the selection is rather large for the amount of space it occupies. However, the organization is quite difficult to figure out. Even pricing. I’m all about having a nice bottle of wine, and I’m always willing to dish out a couple extra bucks as long as its worth it but as I browsed the store my interest began to wane. Stores like this, as one Unilocaler previous function best on customer interaction to explain their product. There was three workers standing behind the register just chatting. Unfortunately, it seems like service is a hit or miss here.
Overall, I probably won’t go back again. I did buy wine though, it was pretty good but I rather go elsewhere to find it.

Not the easiest store to browse in, as they have a LOT of stuff packed into a small space. That said, they have many interesting and unusual wines to pick from. Fun shop!

I really like their inexpensive table wines in the front window. They taste great and I never have a hangover.

Boutique wine merchant with an interesting selection of French wines from up and coming and established producers. Had a wonderful time selecting a half case with the friendly and knowledgeable owner. We will see if his suggestions are winners not.

Amazing customer service — glad to see they will serve sample some wines in the store. I really appreciate their depth of knowledge and laid-​back style. they are not wine snobs yet they are really passionate about what they do.
It’s not a store for everyone — they are really focused on artisan wines and the process behind the product. they don’t just sell based on market indicators like most stores.
They can talk about the pros and cons of each product — especially related to buying wine as a gift — and are very respectful of my lower price ranges. I need help to focus in on which bottles best suit my palate and they take the time to sample and chat about what might be helpful for me: spicy, tannic, local, Spanish, French, fruit forward etc.

I’ve tried giving this place a chance — many chances in fact — bit I’m yet to enjoy a single one of their recommendations :(The store is awkwardly laid out and cramped, with no clear wine categorizations, so you’re pretty much entirely reliant on staff interaction in order to have a hope in hell of finding something within your price range that you’re also likely to enjoy.
Well, on my last visit the guy helping me was friendly, proactive and seemed knowledgeable — I had high hopes that finally, this time, I’d be taking home a winner! But sadly, it was not to be — the wine was extremely mediocre. Certainly not worth the $ 15 or so I paid, although admittedly that’s the very bottom of their average price range. Thirst remains a last-​minute option for me, I’m afraid.

Amazing wineshop!!! Just try their wine and you will see!

This place has by far the worst service of any wine store I’ve been to.
Passive aggressive, entitled and snotty service is what you’ll find here.
I was in the store yesterday and the sales girl very passive aggressively yelled at a customer for taking wine out of the refrigerator. Instead of simply telling the customer that the store prefers to get the wine out of fridge she goes on and on about taking the wine. And when the customer commented that he won’t do it again, she keeps going.
By time she helps me, I ask for a French Malbec. She shows me a blend. I explain that I prefer a non-​blended Malbec. My mistake, I guess she thought I was correcting her because then she goes on about how the blended grape is almost the same as the Malbec grape… WTF?
Seriously stay away from this place. The Gnarly Vines and Greene Grape have far better service.

Just read Unilocal’s Brooklyn Weekly and it was about wine shops. This has prompted me on giving Thirst a review.
The venue itself is nice. I don’t really mind the small space and they have a nice wine selection for the space they have. Now my problem is with the staff and customer service quality.
1^st visit: I just went in to browse as I pass by one day since I was new to the neighborhood and wanted get to know the store. One guy at the PC, another two ppl at the end sipping wine, tasting… Nobody looked at me and no words were exchanged for the 4 mins that I was in there.
2^nd visit: Went in with my man, he wanted to check the store out. This nice blond lady asked us if we needed help.
3^rd. I went into the store first. A guy with glasses and semi curly hair looked up from the computer screen and looked at me. I greeted. I got no reply from him as he continued to stare at me. Then M. stepped in and the guy said «Hi» while looking at him. The rest of the shopping experience was strange. The guy recommended an excellent wine and we were happy about it. My only problem is that he completely ignored me through out the entire conversation. As in talking to M. and never ever engaged eye contact. Even when M. asked for my input and which one I would like… the guy still looked at M. but not me.
Did I remind him of someone who killed his cat?
4^th visit: We went in to get the same bottle of the previous visit. The staff were all nice and polite. The guy who ignored me was not there.
Conclusion: With planning, I will fetch my wine at other wine stores, Astor Place or Trader Joe’s. For something last min, yeah sure… Thirst is near.