Guilford Liquors

The customer service is top notch. The prices are better than some other liquor stores in DC. The store is always clean and well-​maintained.

Since we usually pick up wine and beer when we’re in our car, the available street parking here is better than Bloomingdale Liquors. I had never been here until recently and was pleasantly surprised by the clean atmosphere and well-​organized racks and left with Modelo beer, some German Reisling wine and a French red wine all for very good prices. The guys working here are very helpful and showed me where the Reislings were as I just couldn’t see them on the rack. Doorway is open and the whole place has a friendly feel (and seems cheaper than the competition… for now).

Best liquor store in the hood. Leave your pistols at home, the guys behind the counter are also behind bullet proof glass. Mediocre selection of beer, booze, and wine but good enough in a pinch.

This is my «too-​lazy-​to-​go-​out-​of-​the-​hood» liquor shop. Prices are competitive for DC. Service with a smile. I prefer more (and snobbier) options. But, Guilford is always good to find a fix.

What a lush. I’m reviewing a liquor store in my hood.
It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done. It’s not solely plastic-​bottle vodka, but largely. They don’t have rare microbrews, but they have more than just Icehouse.
So you know, it gets the job done when I’m in a fix.
The guy who I assume to be the owner is super friendly and always glad to help me find the right bottle of brown stuff. Maybe it’s because he’s seen my face so many times, but he’ll even sometimes have me step aside and help me out before other people in line. He’s a great guy.
As far as selection, it’s definitely pretty decent. Bourbon wise, where I spend most of my time, I can usually find something good enough to turn me into a «woo-​girl.»
They have a lot of really random liquors that are usually right on the counter, behind the bullet-​proof glass.
Oh yeah, there’s that. We’re still a «transitioning neighborhood» so you know, they have to be prepared, and they stay behind the bullet-​proof glass.
They have really good sales, so make sure to read the big signs on the windows when you come in. Their prices, on top of the regular sales are on the lower end of the area too.
If wine’s your girl, you’ll find it here. For me, a box of franzia, a spigot in the mouth, and a loving friend slapping the bag is good enough. But if you like something more, there’s probably something for you.
Beer side, as I said, it’s not amazing, but it’s not horrible. They have a handful of different microbrews, thing anchor steam, dogfish, and lagunitas. And lots of the macros. and of course the double-​packed twins of cheap malt liquor, after DC banned single sales.
They don’t take Amex (wud up with that?) but they take the rest of the plastic.
Also, just about anytime of the day the place will be crowded. But it’s all lottery players loitering in the front lobby, so fear not, your booze is awaiting.

Love this place. The staff is super friendly — the owner always waves and says hi when I’m walking home. If they don’t have something in stock, they’ll order it for you, no problem. And the prices are pretty reasonable. It’s not a big store, but the staff really goes above and beyond to make this a nice little place to shop.

This is a little gem of a story for the neighborhood. Their selection is not great but they will order in anything for you. I asked them to get me some Eagle Rare and 3 days later they brought it in and started selling it.
The Korean and Ethiopian guys working there are super nice. One time I fell off my bike and broke a bottle of Midori and when I went into the store they not only helped me clean up but gave me a free bottle of midori as long as I promised I would not break it :)

For 2 years I lived a block away from Guilford Liquors so I got to know them pretty well. The guys who work there are always in a good mood (which is even a little contagious) and very helpful if you blank out while staring at the rows behind the counter. The selection is solid and they usually have some good deals. I have since moved from Shaw to Columbia Heights and I can’t say I’ve found more charming neighborhood booze suppliers. Alas!

I think it’s time to show a little bit of love for my local liquor store. Little Guilford Liquors is your classic bulletproof-​glass sort of place, next to a construction site and a really crappy-​looking gas station in what used to be a pretty bad neighborhood. Things are looking up in Shaw, but I can’t say that I blame these guys for keeping all of their money and hard booze behind a wall of thick, clear, space-​age plastic.
I’m in the store every month or two, and the guy who appears to be the owner (or manager) always seems to remember me. He’s probably just a damned good actor, but I appreciate the effort, anyway.
When I bought a bottle of Maker’s last night, I automatically slid my ID into the whole in the bulletproof glass. The manager/​owner guy looked at it, looked at me, and got a really stern look on his face. «Too old,» he said. And slid it back to me. Then we both burst out laughing, as his cashier dusted off the liquor bottle before putting it in a paper bag.
Dude, these guys somehow manage to have a sense of humor living in their bulletproof glass cage. And they clean bottles before giving them to you. How cool is that?