Clifton Cellars

Ah, the height of Clifton Village living — a wine cellar tucked beneath the street with all the hidden mystique of a secret society. Wine and secrets — what more could you want?
This hidden gem is actually a very good wine and alcohol shop. The stock is dynamic and always very impressive. Not such a good place top pick up some cheap plonk but then life is far too short to drink bad wine. If you are on a budget there are often a lot of good deals on; last time I was there it was twelve bottles of some nice French for £75 — not bad at all!
They also house a great range in beer and cider from breweries local and further afield.

If you’re after something a little bit special for a dinner party or as a gift for someone who is into fine wine, Clifton Cellars are the way to go. If you want to impress somebody with your knowledge of fine wine, just go in and ask the knowledgable staff to fill you up with some facts! Set in the posh area of Clifton, it really is the perfect location for this upper market shop.

In the most picturesque part of Clifton village, descend a few steps into yet another Bristol basement establishment and you’ll find yourself in the Clifton Cellars. This is basically an excellently stocked wine merchants, with a real connoisseurs atmosphere — they definitely know their stuff. I’ve been in on a number of occasions trying to look for a present, and with a short description of the person involved, they’ve always been able to point out something that might be of use. Last time the friendly lady behind the counter recommended a bottle of Kazakhstan vodka, which proved to be so very worth the money. You pay for knowledge and quality here, so the prices are generous, to say the least, but you’re likely to get a really specialised bottle to suit whatever taste you’re going for.

A unique retail experience, you enter The Clifton Cellars by going down a several stone steps into a cellar that wouldn’t look out of place in a Harry Potter film. You’ll be greeted and asked what sort of occasion you’re buying for from a sales clerk that seems to know what they’re talking about.
The selection is extensive and you can buy in bulk. There are wine quizzes, tastings, and talks, which I can’t vouch for. But they at least suggest that the people here are serious about their wine. The prices go from cheap to ridiculous but then that’s wine for you. If you’re serious about your wine then the range on offer means you’ll probably find something affordable Plus, the sales clerks can be very good at explaing just why this particular bottle is so special. This means that whatever you end up buying from The Clifton Cellar, you’ll probably end up with something you’re happy with.