Gilbert’s Liquor

I went to 3 larger liquor stores before finding what I wanted here at Gilberts. I was looking for Modelo Chelada, The 2 cashiers were very friendly as well.

Gilbert’s is aight. It’s smaller and a touch pricier than Otto’s, which is a few blocks north. I don’t really buy anything except for wine here, because I can get better deals on beer and liquor elsewhere and the wine selection isn’t too shabby. Living on the East Side, it’s my go-​to if I’m in a pinch and can’t make it to Otto’s before it closes.
I don’t know why some people are complaining about the employees, but then again their reviews were from a few years ago. Service is fine. Not great, not bad (which is how I feel about the whole place in general).

Not the biggest liquor store around, not the best prices… but a decent option, and friendly service.

Gilbert’s is near Axel’s and Oakland Gyros. (Does anyone even go to Axel’s anymore? Seriously…)
Gilbert’s is near UWM, and while Otto’s is also near UWM, the differences between the two are similar to oh, say, the differences between Gary Busey and Sean Connery. Worldly, refined gentleman versus hawaiian shirt, crazy hair, and a mugshot.
Gilbert’s = where kids get their kegs for their keggers. It’s where they get their Southern Comfort. It’s where they procure that case of Miller Lite for beer pong, and it’s where they get their 99 bananas and Malibu Raspberry Pango Massion Fruit. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not hatin’ on the college set here… I mean, we were all there at one time or another. It’s just that, if I can avoid them, I will… you know?
I’ve gone for a bottle of wine in a pinch when it happened to be a holiday and it’s such that I’ve happened to forget to grab something that I promised I would bring to my mom’s house. (She loves Riesling. What mom doesn’t love Riesling?) And actually, their wine selection is a little better than what you’d expect. Some craft beer in the side cooler earns points… but for reals… I’d go with an A-​OK. (Somewhere between a two and three star rating, if I could.) It gets the job done, but there are many other places I’d rock before I’d rock Gilbert’s.
Nostalgia factor is high, however. Don’t ask.

As previous reviews have said, they don’t have a great selection at all. The prices are over the top for the quality you are receiving. This is a very small store with no parking. So not only are you over paying for something to drink, you have the risk of a parking ticket. The people who work here are extremely cranky. When you ask them a question they seem annoyed to help you.

I agree with a few of the reviews that they don’t have a great selection. It also seems like they change where certain beers are every week which I end up going in and looking around for miller for 15 minutes… In addition, their beer cooler is awful. It is crowded with massive cases of hi-​life and busch and barely anything else. You walk in there and can see those and walk out. Finally, the people who work there should all be fired. They are rude, condescending, and steal their cable from the people living above them! I enjoy some of their deals here and there but I overall dislike this place as a place to buy beverages for the night.

Not the best selection, and not the greatest prices, but what can you expect from a liquor store so close to UWM? Expect to see Hi-​life and Natty Light prominently stacked in a creative beer pyramid or some other geometric shape. As for the staff, it seems they’re a little out of touch with their stock. I can understand not knowing if they have a seasonal Lakefront or something, but I asked if they carried a whole line of beers and they guy told me they didn’t. I looked around and found 2 or 3 different beers from the brewery i was looking for.

This review is written from the perspective of a beer guy — I have no clue as to the quality of their wine or spirits selection. Gilbert’s has a very good selection of craft beer, probably the best on the East Side. Regional breweries are well represented and have most of their lineups represented.