Cambridge Wine & Spirits

A couple of weeks before Christmas I went here to buy some wine. While I was there, I discovered that there were a number of tables where sampling was happening.
At both the sampling tables I went to, I was ignored until I pointedly asked if I could sample one or two of the wines. I have to insert here that I looked quite a but different from the people who stood at the tables – they all seem to embody the Cambridgian blazer and Volvo crowd. My hair is short on the sides and spiked way up on the top. While I’m not sure that this was the reason that I was ignored, I do know that I was noticed and at the very least both of the staff could have said that they would be with me in a minute while they finished up with the person (s) they were talking to.
I went to the manager to say something and she was very rude to me. Rather than a I’m sorry you feel that way (you know, the customer is always right kind of thing) she was very short and said she was sure that wasn’t why. Why? You mean it’s okay to ignore me? Okay fine, there are so many other liquor ad wine stores in this area, I can easily pass this one up. Too bad though. My prior experience with staff has always been helpful and pleasant.

A great selection, fair price and really friendly staff.

I have been shopping here for years since it is conveniently located next to whole foods. Until today I have not had a problem. 2 weeks ago I purchased an 18 pack of unrefrigerated Coors light. I didn’t save the receipt since I have never had to return booze, ever. Today, my husband and I each opened a bottle of the beer and it tasted skunked so I attempted to bring it back (12÷4÷15 8:30pm) and exchange it but they would not allow me to do so. The sell by date was ¹²⁄₁₄.
I am outraged because I always shop here and have never had a problem. Most places would want their customers to be satisfied. In fact, I’m sure Coors would have even taken it back.
I will never shop at Cambridge wine and spirits again, no matter how convenient it may be! It looks like Sav Mor Spirits across the street will be getting my business from now on.

Very good selection of wines, beers, and spirits here. Craft beer selection is somewhat decent. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The only knock on this pace from me is the lack of cold 12-​packs of beer. Yeah you can find a 12-​pack of Bud Light. If you’re looking for a cold 12-​pack of Harpoon you’re out of luck. I’ve had to buy two cold 6-​packs more times than I can count. Obviously paying more for the two 6-​packs than I would for the 12-​pack. If you want a warm 12-​pack they have those in abundance. For a cold 12-​pack of decent beer go somewhere else.

HUGE inventory and very helpful people!
Had to make a special order through Lee who was nothing but accommodating and responsive. Highly recommend doing business here!

Manager Tried To Break Into Bathroom WHILE MY WIFE WAS IN IT And Swore at Her!
My wife and I have been extremely good customers of Cambridge Wine and Spirits for many years now. We both own our own companies and stop by there weekly to stock up for our companies’ Friday Happy Hours. I teach several high-​end whiskey classes a year and my wife is a member of the board for one of our neighborhood’s largest organizations. As a result, we have quite literally spent thousands of dollars there over the years. Cambridge has a good selection and until today has always provided very good customer service (much of the staff know us on sight) and we have recommended them to dozens of people.
That all stops today. My wife asked an employee there if she could use the bathroom and he said yes. While she was on the toilet, the manager (an older man with glasses named «John») started banging on the door and yelling at her that she wasn’t allowed to be in the bathroom. She told him (through the door) that she had asked for permission but he said that she didn’t ask HIM for permission (how the hell is any customer supposed to know to ask HIM??)
At this point he started to use his keys to break into the bathroom WHILE MY WIFE WAS STILL ON THE TOILET. She said she was undressed and would be out in a minute. He swore at her, using F-​bombs in earshot of nearby customers (I was clear across the store and had no idea this was happening). She came out and he continued to yell at her, even following her for awhile.
I met her at the registers where she was crying and upset. The other employees were very sympathetic and apologetic. John came up to the register and I started having it out with him. We told him again she had gotten permission and in the middle of this argument he walked off to go find the employee who had given permission. No apology, no explanation, no human courtesy whatsoever.
I understand that John was upset that a customer was using the bathroom but he should have taken it up with his coworker, not acting like a maniac to my wife who did nothing wrong and did not deserve the humiliation and the verbal abuse she took from this creep.
I started walking back there to find him and demand that he apologize to my wife but she just wanted to leave.
You don’t treat loyal customers like that. You don’t treat women like that. You don’t treat ANY human bring like that.
Giving a 2 star rating (even though this was obviously a negative 100-​star experience) to reflect that the rest of the staff have always been helpful and friendly and kind (especially Linda at the register and the security guy) on the 100+ visits we’ve had there.
Obviously we’ll never set foot in there again and we’re going to tell everyone at both of our companies, all of my whiskey classes and everyone in our town to stay the hell away from Cambridge Wine and Spirits as long as «Lord John the Royal Highness of the Liquor Store Bathroom» sits on the «throne» there.

Wine selection is good if you’re looking for high priced wines. Even the prices of most other wines are comparatively expensive. For example, watch out for the so called «Special Sale» price tags on wines. You think you’re getting a deal, however these prices are actually HIGHER than other local stores such as Kappy’s in Wellington Circle, Medford, MA, which also has a great wine selection.

This place is great. They are large and have a WIDE selection of wine, beer, and liquors. It is a supermarket experience with many isles and you can get a push cart. Staff is friendly and helpful. Now, perhaps if you are a super fancy wine drinker and generally pay $ 50/​bottle then you’d have a slightly difficult selection here (they do have such bottles but not a huge number). But if you are like the rest of us that like to have good table wine and sometimes spend a bit more (say $ 20-​$ 30) for a better wine for an occasion, then come here. Plus they have many, many excellent beers from around the world. And a very wide selection of liquors of many different kinds. I am very impressed by their bargain wines and deals (the $ 6 to $ 15 per bottle) that are numerous and well explained on the tags.

Horrible Customer Service!
Last week my girlfriend and I went in there and bought two bottles
One was a $ 30 Rose (the other was $ 20 bottle– $ 50 in total)
When my girlfriend tried to open the Rose that evening the glass on the neck broke. I have a simple rule, I don’t drink wine if the bottle has broken… life is too short.
Today when I tried get the bottle replaced (no bottle should ever break) they refused. Not only did they refuse by saying it was our fault but the manager belittle me by say that replacing the bottle «Would be like giving you $ 30 dollars. If we did that we would go out of business».
I have «given» this wine shop over $ 200 over the past 3 months on which they have made good margin.
In my opinion this is an example of horrible customer service and have resolved not to shop there again.
Life is too short to go place that treat me badly. Join me in shopping other places

Good selection but less friendlier staff to deal with. You can go somewhere else to save some money and have a pleasant experience. The cashier lady is terrible.

I love their wine tastings and their wine selection. They have tons of the usual favs plus a bunch of wines I have never heard of and some rarer varieties. Their beer selection is decent and their sales on liquor are pretty good. Check the dates on theor beers before purchasing though, I’ve been duped a few times!

In an area full of low-​end, sketchy, or barren liquor stores Cambridge Wine & Spirits is a welcome breath of fresh air. Great selection of specialty beers (I got a 6-​pack of Affligem) and many of the liquors have tear-​off coupons for frugal shoppers like myself. The staff is very nice and there’s always some sort of event happening which is wonderful as well

A great selection of French (and not only) wines.
Being bored with whatever local liquor stores in Cambridge has to offer in terms of the European wine, I’ve checked out this place and was surprised.
This store has a great selection of wines in the low med — med price range.

CWS is now my go-​to booze destination after I schlepped around the city in search of Crème de Violette and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur with no luck at Downtown Spirits (Davis), Liquor World (Porter), and University Spirits (Harvard). Clearly, I just had to keep going out on the Red Line to find everything I needed.
Excellent selection of specialty items, though you’re certainly paying for the scarcity. Not the most cost-​effective choice if you’re just picking up a handle of Smirnoff.

We stopped by yesterday to take advantage of the Tax Free weekend and buy a bunch of wine, so this review is only for that. Didn’t even glance through the liquors. Anyway, I have to say I was totally underwhelmed.
First, the prices! Many many items are on ‘special’ — it seems that over half the store’s bottles have sale stickers on them! And after putting together over a case of wine, we discover at check out that NO ‘sale’ wines are included in the percent discount for a case. Would have been nice if that was information that was more prominently displayed. Especially because trying to put together a case of nonsale wines would have taken some effort!
When I got home and was doing some research online for each of our wines (yeah, I know I’m anal, but I keep a list so we know what we’re drinking!) I discovered that EVERY SINGLE one of the wines we purchased are sold in other stores (brick & mortar, not just online) for less money. EVERY one! And we’re talking the SALE price. That was definitely a downer.
Beyond the economics, we were a little disappointed in the inventory. Lots & lots of American wines — fine, I know that many people like them. But what about the up & coming areas, where there are good deals and interesting wines to be had? The Spain area is small and heavy to whites. South America? Also blah. French areas outside of Bordeaux? Just not a lot of depth.
Anyway, we got some interesting things by browsing, and there certainly is much to look through, but I won’t go racing back there.

Best liquor store in the area.
Very knowledgeable and friendly staff (in the past they have helped me pick beer, wine and port). Great selection, and doesn’t feel at all sketch. Make sure to look on the sheets taped up by the beer section to find out what’s on special while you’re there.

I was very pleased with both their prices and selection.
I was able to pick of a bottle of Luxardo brand Marachino liqueur for a great price. Only 3 other stores in Greater Boston and even had it in stock let alone for less than $ 30.
They also stocked lots other hard to find liquors at good prices so I picked up a bottle of rye and was able to choose which one I wanted not just which one they had in stock. They had Rittenhouse, Sazerac & Michters. I also spotted a couple other harder to find items although they didnt seem to have a good selection of bitters. The only downside to the store was the craziness in the parking lot and the crowd inside the store itself.

I stop here for well-​priced quality beer and wine. Their wine discount rack is usually full of great selections– and their standard prices on bottle wine are very good.
Great selection, easy parking.

I set out for Cambridge Wine and Spirits to purchase a bottle of nice white wine as a gift. When I found a gentleman that appeared to be an employee, I asked if I could get some help selecting an appropriate bottle. He smiled understandingly and buzzed the owner of the store, Michael, to come help me out.
The owner and one of his wine experts spent over a half hour walking around the store with me, showing me different types of wines and what makes them all unique and special. I’m sure they knew I wasn’t going to be a frequent big buyer, but were still enthusiastic, honest, and without a hint of pretense or snobbery. I think my choice is perfect, and I even got a little bag that was not heinously ugly to put it in.

This is my neighborhood package store, and I’m glad it’s there for me.
As their name suggests, this place emphasizes wine. They almost always have wine tastings going on, and according to my girlfriend, they have very knowledgeable staff that will help you find a good bottle of wine.
But I don’t care about wine, man. I like the craft beers. And this place has the best selection in this area of Cambridge. Not just great brewers like Stone, Smuttynose, Avery, Weyerbacher, Great Divide, Southern Tier and Lagunitas, but the tough-​to-​find brews from each of those brewers. And if you don’t see something you’re looking for, the staff will help you find or even try and order it for you.
But the best thing about Cambridge Wine & Spirits is that it’s cheaper than just about all of the other packies in the area.