79th Street Wine and Spirits

it’s convenient to where I live, but I’ve never had a great experience here. Usually (but not always), I’m asked whether I need help, but if I decide to go on my own, I am INVARIABLY met with weird/​distant service at the cash register. Small talk: none. (Not that I’m all that great at small talk… but to meet people less prepared for it than I am is weird, when those people are supposed to be in customer service.) Not once but THREE times I have been hit on in the store — once by an employee, and two times by a customer, but still… That’s WAY above the average for me for most stores. Is there something wrong with the culture here? I think there might be.

There are two different reviews for this store. In the spirit of fairness, I’ve added to both.
I also don’t understand how this place got a one star rating in that other review or this one– since it’s been the best part of my neighborhood exploration over a short stint at the NYLO for a conference.
In short, I got decent wine and STELLAR service.
I was steered to several bottles of totally decent wine– $ 10 Sav Blanc and Cote du Rhone.
But that is not the whole story. The whole story is that we walked into a musical comedy sketch and were serenaded with Nat King Cole and Guns and Roses by the smiling soft spoken gentlemen behind the counter. A cherubic faced guy with a sweet smile and rather shy demeanor, he happily shared his rendition of several tunes when his colleagues shirt pocket of tunes was silences during a text exchange. Said colleague joined into the musical discussion and then provided accompaniment of the requested Guns and Roses although he declined to perform a duet.
I returned the next day to get them on film but was told I was too early, the entertainment started later. When asked for one of the guys name so he could be properly promoted, my troubadour smiled sweetly and said «Sexy». When I snorted and asked what his mother he called him, he didn’t miss a beat or bat an eyelash but said immediately «Handsome.» Believe me, this was not offensive or creepy. It was hilarious and self consciously ironic.
SO — stop In and ask for Sexy or Handsome to sing you a song or pick out a bottle of wine. You’ll be glad you did.

Affordable! Nice selections. Staff is helpful if you need. Been going for 20 years!!! Nice Sake choices!

This liquor store serves the locals near Amsterdam and 79^th, but the store is not customer friendly. They have weird sales people who have no experience with liquor or wines. They speak good English but it doesn’t help, and they are SO pretentious. I guess we are all supposed to be grateful they are here, but I for one do not shop here anymore. Cannot recommend. Only come here as a last resort. This place is not cheap. Prices are competitive or high.

I’ve been going for the past 10 years.
Affordable. Well stocked. Reliable.
A solid choice in this neighborhood.

OK wine store, they have the basics, that’s kinda what I come here for. Reasonable prices too.