Atlas Liquor

Good quick stop place for some different sort of wines. Handy place. Parking was easy. I’d go back again.

Typical liquor store, has some junk food stuff that the nearby Safeway doesn’t carry for some reason (ex: Chester’s hot fries and certain Arizona tea flavors) so if that’s what I crave, I come here after stopping at Safeway on the way since it is so close. It does feel a little sketchy at times and often has some people drinking or smoking close by outside of there, socializing, but that I’ve never considered it a problem. The cashier is nice and helpful and they seem to have any liquor or junk food one would need in stock.

Atlas Liquor is a roomy liquor/​convenience store. large space. aisles constructed so one goes only in one direction, not exiting at entrance point. (for security reasons).
sodas, teas, micro beers, beer, wines all priced. some reasonably.
beer selection the usual with just a few surprises.
3.5 stars
brew: «Crabbie’s» original alcoholic ginger bar (3.99, 25 oz)
–sweet tasting with ginger tinge
4 stars.

One of my preferred stores. Huge selection of beer/​wine/​liquor and a staff that is courteous. They will sell you cases of 40s. The parking outside is bizarre but just pull in. You’ll figure out how to get out.
update: still going here. I like how they don’t act like they recognize you and are professional. They have porn now. Tip the black gentleman hanging out near the front. He’s a kind man. It’s easier to exit if you turn right immediately and then right again after the secret Sci-​fi bookstore. Cheap prices.

Normal corner with beer n bottles. We always stop here to get our last minute items (they even sell bonfire wood). Near freeway. Across the street from the gas station and Dennys so it’s in a convenient place. Bums of course. Parking sucks– people never pull in that curve right.

Eh, your typical one stop liquor shop. Nothing breathtaking or exceptionally special here. They have the usual: spirits, beer, wine, 40s, malt liquor, etc. Prices are standard for a corner liquor store; prices tend to be on the same level as the S.F. liquor stores I frequent. The guys behind the counter don’t greet or talk, they simply take your money. Contrary to what a previous Unilocaler stated, this place is COMPLETELY safe. It’s El Cerrito! Furthermore, the only reason I give three stars is because of the cool drive-​through parking they have and the close proximity to the BART station.

This is seems to be the center of gravity for crimes in El C. They’ve been robbed a few times in the past year or two. And one time, I saw a car parked out front with no less than three blows on the windshield from a baseball bat or rocks, in DAYLIGHT. I stopped here a couple of times to get beer on the way to a friend’s house and it’s always had the wrong, shady vibe. The prices aren’t that great either. They stock the usual liquor store repretoire of booze, porn, beef jerky, greasy snacks, and weird toiletries. There isn’t really parking. They have a weird strip out front where one is supposedly expected to stop, leave the car running, dash in, get your booze, and putter off to a better place. If you need to ration out your drinking, this place has a few big jars of mini-​liquor bottles at the register – impulse buys, I guess.