Merit Fine Wines & Liquor

Great wine selection, and they’re open late. Like midnight late. So what’s they’re not to be a fan of?
Pretty reasonable prices too and the location is ideal for all those BYOB restaurants on /​near Bloomfield Ave.

I just ordered delivery from Merit for the first time, and what a great experience! Since there isn’t a menu online, they helped pick out some wine with the parameters (price, flavor, etc) that I provided. The delivery fee is super cheap – $ 2 for the 2 bottles I ordered. And, last but not least; from the time I called to the time the wine was actually delivered, it was 16 minutes. Slow clap.

The best liquor store in town!
They have a HUGE variety of wine, beer and hard liquor and the employees are all very helpful and give excellent recommendations. Everyone is friendly and the hours are awesome!

Great store and I was searching for local delivery which they offered. They were super helpful and accommodating, delivery in my area isn’t common so A+++

It’s probably not healthy to love a liquor store this much… They’re great! The wine selection is pretty vast, and the people who work there are friendly, easy-​going and helpful. They’re always willing to help you find something, and they don’t mind if you gravitate toward the cheaper options (like I do!). They often have in-​store wine tastings so you can try before you buy. Their beer section is on the smaller side, but they have interesting brands and seasonal selections. I haven’t taken advantage of their delivery service yet, but it’s nice to know it’s available! («In case of emergency, call Merit…»)

I think a LOT of people writing reviews are confused as to who owns this place. I’ve been in the store when the owner was there, and witnessed him cursing someone off. Leads me to believe he is two-​faced, short-​tempered, and unprofessional. I’m a pretty regular customer and love chatting with two of the guys there. Without most of his staff this place would fail. The girls there are rude and useless, some guys barely speak English, and the sales practices are in question. I get the impression that he is not running the business on the up and up. I don’t think employees are on the books and there is no point of sale system in place, so you can’t get an itemized receipt. Ummmm if he’s not even sure what he’s selling, or for how much, how we trust he’s even paying taxes? This place is already more expensive han others. To think he’s skipping on sales taxes and employee reporting? Kind of shady. And after hours? Unless you’re looking to get shot or get high, steer clear. I only go for the guys there who know what they’re doing and are super friendly. They’re gone? I’m gone.

Love love love that they deliver, and have always had decent bottles no matter the price range I give.
I just wish I didn’t have to give them my addy every time (get bad reception). Don’t they have that stored by phone number, time for a POS system upgrade.
So clutch after working 10 hours and commuting two, the last thing you want to do is venture up the street to the wine store! Life savers.

Great hours
Great wine
The employees are educated, seek to help you make good choices, and have yet to give a mediocre wine recommendation. (Feel free to browse the %off selection– they’ll learn about you preferences, talk to you about each offering, and you’ll leave with a new wine to add to your faves list.
And I’ve arrived after 10– it’s not sketchy. Maybe the people wandering Bloomfield Ave are, but not the patrons.
And they deliver local– winning!

This is my absolute favorite place to shop for wine. The staff is always nice, approachable, and willing to help. A couple of nights ago, I went in to get a specific bottle, and grabbed the wrong one by mistake, which tasted awful! So I called the store and they said to bring in the bottle and they’ll replace it the bottle if my choice. I brought it in, found my wine and walked out the door. The guy was so nice. Completely hassle-​free. I also love the late night delivery and Friday wine tastings!

I had little time to pick up a bottle of white wine for a seafood dinner I was about to have, so walked in and asked if they could recommend a dry, cold, white wine to accompany my dinner. The manager walked me right over to the cooler and picked out a bottle of French wine which turned out to be very good. Quick in and out, and they were very friendly and helpful. Will return!

Wait, THEY DELIVER? That’s amazing. I love this shop. It’s my favorite place to buy wine. The people who work there are extremely helpful and I’ve never gotten a wine there that I haven’t liked! They have some pricey stuff but I’ve also found many bottles in the $ 16 or less range that have all been great. Besides the great selection, what really makes this place wonderful is the customer service. We needed to buy a bunch of bottles for gifts recently, and the guy gave us good advice, 15% off and threw in a fun t-​shirt as well :) …hope everything stays just as it is here

Visiting from California and this is the liquor store within walking distance. Great wine selection. Ron was very helpful and knowledgeable with his recommendations. They also have wine & beer tastings.

Absolutely love this store! They have a great variety of wine/​beer. Staff are amazing, very friendly, and helpful. They’ve very helpful with new suggestions in regards to beer or wine, and if they don’t have what you want in stock. They’ll order it! Do yourself a favor and just stop in, see the variety.
*As far as a comment I see regarding the prices. You’re paying for convenience if you want CHEAP booze, go down the road to bottle king.

I love this wine store. The young guys who work here are hilarious, they don’t treat wine with that pretentiousness most places do, and the owner is SO helpful and kind, it’s almost ridiculous. I literally had the guy running all over the store finding wines for me, plus he took the time to explain the whole «sulfite free» debacle going on in the wine world right now. Plus he chose a wine for me that left me feeling great (usually when I drink any alcohol I get all stuffed up). Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Love this place! The owners are always helpful and very knowledgeable. Plus it beats going to some sketchy place for a late night booze run.

Too overpriced.
Sketchy crowd lingering after 10pm.
Other places in town are now opening after 9pm which makes it feel less like a hostage situation with only one place open late.

4.75
all you have to know is: they are open until midnight & they deliver!!! ($ 20 minimum)

Great place for wine

Super nice & helpful! The girl, Peri, that always answers the phone is super sweet and makes sure my wine is delivered! I told her what I like in a wine and she was able to provide a wonderful recommendation. Thank you! =)
Also, when other stores refused to deliver, they went out of their way to make sure they brought me my items. Can’t say that for the other Montclair liquor stores!

The prices are a tad higher than other liquor stores but it’s totally worth it because:
1. They are open late every day! Honestly, I’ve never seen them closed. My friends and I ran out of wine at Mediterranea one night and ran across the street to get some from Merit. It was midnight!
2. They deliver! If you’re relaxing at home and are in need of a cold beer, but feel too lazy to go out and get some, call them up! I think you need to order at least $ 20 worth, but it’s so worth it, don’t you think?
I love Merit!