Centennial Liquor Stop

I normally go to Nueces Liquor in West Campus because it’s close and convenient. Centennial is a 5 minute drive from West Campus and is across from the CVS. The prices are way better then Nueces Liquor and they have a huge variety. They also have chasers that are super cheap. There is always some kind of sale or deal.

Went in yesterday looking for a bottle of wine to pair with thai takeout. The guy working was super friendly, gave it some thought, and helped me decide on one. Now, I don’t look like a college kid so perhaps some service issues others have mentioned stem from that.
The store has a good selection — I was pleasantly surprised as it looked small from the outside.
Prices seemed comparable to other stores.

They always remember me and are very nice and knowledgeable. If you are of age and not visibly intoxicated they are happy to help you. Just ask! Their prices are quite reasonable for their location. Cheaper than cash at Spec’s, though they don’t have as big of a selection. $ 28 for a handle of Tito’s isn’t bad. Of course they have discounts if you buy two bottles because they are Twin Liquors. They also have sales on the weekends.

I agree with Kate, it seems strange to review a liquor store. This is a worthy exception. Go by and meet Robert. Ask him for some store history.
— Prohibition breaker? Check.
— Card game in the back, back in the day? Check (My Dad told me that one. He was a regular in the 60s and 70s).
— Ghosts? So I hear.
— Neighborhood feel? Oddly, yes.(Maybe the ghosts?)
— Knowledgeable and friendly? Double check.
— Prices? Turns out the old Centennial was bought by Twin Liquors a few years back. Their prices are very competitive. Huge selection. Top shelf is excellent.
Full disclosure: Centennial was the first liquor store I visited as a teenager, and scored a ½ pint of Jack. For Jack.
I’m hoping that the guys at Twin get the old sign working. Maybe make this into a neighborhood gem.

I think it’s a little silly to review a liquor store. Walk in, get liquor, pay, leave. But on reading the other reviews here, I thought I’d add one that’s on the nicer side based on my experience. :)
There were two people working when I walked in. They both greeted me. One of them stepped out from behind the counter to ask me what I was looking for. I was looking for vodka (martini night what!). He showed me the juice and told me what was on special. I also asked him if he’d tried a specific brand, and he had, and recommended it. Knowledgeable.
They didn’t mind my out-​of-​state ID (one reviewer mentioned that being an issue, but that review is quite old).
This last time was my second visit. The first was months ago. Similarly, an employee asked me if I needed help, and I think I declined. Same general friendliness.
The store itself is pretty enormous, larger than it looks from the outside. It’s got enough space so it’s not crowded like other booze-​shops tend to be. Good selection. It’s clean.
I got my vodka on sale, I think their prices are pretty average for an independent liquor store, but if you’re flexible and looking for stuff on sale, you can find a good deal.
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Service: A+.
Store: A+
Price: B+

Good folks behind the counter, knowledgeable and friendly.
Good specials on the weekends on beer, wine and liquor.
Wide selection.
Good store.

Small selection but that was okay since I wasn’t look for anything fancy or unique.
Cashier was friendly, we talked for a few minutes. I had no problem with the «Texas Residents only» rule, but that may have been bc I had my military ID.
Seemed a bit pricey, but that is comparing to east coast prices
Certainly not a place I would seek out to buy liquor, but if you are nearby and need something simple it’s not a terrible place to stop in.

OK, this place has a few decent deals. But I HATE it!
The tall, mangey looking wanna-​be hipster glasses-​wearing fuckhead treats every single one of his customers with rude indifference, no respect, and a snooty power-​tripping attitude that drives me INSANE!!!
Never have I had ruder service from any place (not just liquor stores) in Austin!
If illogical misplaced customer apathy bothers you, don’t go here!
Wish this guy would slip on a smashed bottle and die already, so I could appreciate this amazingly convenient liquor store for what it is!

Matt saved us from purchasing Bad Wine (recommended by review, questioned by Matt the Professional.). He also suggested a nice single malt for friend’s retirement.

The staff is very rude and disrespectful. If you even make small conversation with someone in the store they will try to say that you two are in the same group so if one of you ends up not having proper ID then no one gets to buy alcohol.

So everyone seems to think that the staff here is rude and horrible, but in my brief stop in on vacation, they were actually super helpful. There was a small amount of legitimate banter between myself and the cashier. It was great. The beer was inexpensive, the staff helpful, and that’s all you can really ask for from a liquor store.

This is my favorite liquor store in the UT area. I don’t know why all these people are complaining about the staff. I’ve always found them to be helpful and courteous, and I go there a lot to buy booze for my underage friends. The prices are also surprisingly good. I thought everyone would be a lot more expensive but they’re pretty comparable to Spec’s. The only downside is that their beer selection isn’t so great, but I can live with that.

Admittedly, there are better liquor store options. Nevertheless, I haven’t had quite the experience of my predecessors. Every time i enter Centennial I’m transported to an intoxicant tome. Dust and debris dance in the light and coat the products. Once you’ve selected your alcoholic relic you get to interact with the resident booze jockeys. The misanthropic staff isn’t ideal and can leave you feeling like you just paid for sex: somewhat dirty and ashamed (‘no kissing on the mouth’).
However, I give it three stars because its a convenient location, and I have never dealt with the ‘Texas Resident’ problem (and I only have a CA ID).

While this isn’t my favorite store, I think these guys have gotten a bad rap. They’re not the nicest or the cleanest, but this is surely a passable store. The prices are generally good and even better for some specials. They do liquor tastings sometimes too.

Only if you have to go there.
It’s a liquor store with angry guys who spout policy to you. Even if you follow the rules they still get angry at every little thing and have to explain everything to you like you’re 5 years old.
This place is like the «soup Nazi’s» kitchen except there’s not good soup at the end. Just make the drive to Spec’s.

i believe centennial was established with two goals in mind. the goals that centennial has started with, it serves beautifully well. the goals are «liquor store» and «closest to west campus». they do pay attention to and take some pride in their selection. a good store for a quick stop before preparty or last-​minute alky decisions.

When i turned 21, the first place i went was this Centennial. It was the biggest mistake of my life. I should have known this before, seeing as how one year earlier i went in to get a bottle of water on my walk home and got kicked out. I understand texas is serious about the whole «no alcohol to minors» business, but it was a freaking bottle of water.
The staff is horrible, and the booze is over-​priced. Every time i go i feel like im at a liquor garage sale, not because its cheap, because of how dusty the store is. It would be one thing if i were to go to a wine cellar and find dust, but its not a wine cellar, its Centennial. The franzia box had dust on it.
Im giving this place two stars because i feel i may have become spoiled by specs, which may have altered my opinion of other liquor stores… god i love specs.

I’m with Uncle D. The staff is outright rude. When I first moved to Texas, I went here, and instead of explaining their Texas Residents only policy, they were just jerks and kicked me out. I was seriously shocked.
A couple weeks later, Texas ID in hand, I made a vow to never return to that joint. I was treated much more nicely at Dan’s Liquor.

West Campus Centennial is on the upper end of the College Packies, which is not a compliment. With none of the charm of a Party Barn or a Juniors, they provide an average beer, wine and liquor selection at average prices. Service is poor at best, sometimes downright mean. Given their location they must deal with some difficult customers, and it shows. Remember, Centennial enforces a Texas Residents only policy. If you or someone you’re with does not have Texas ID, you may be asked to leave.