McCabes Wine & Spirits

This is the worst wine store I have ever been to. The whole staff makes you feel uncomfortable and that you are just in there to steal. It’s the upper east side, let’s be real. Also, my visa GIFT card was declined and the cash register lady smiled happily and asked me how old I was. DO NOT GO HERE walk an extra block or two to go somewhere else.

I wish I could give this place zero stars. It is a massively frustrating place to shop. The store itself is a reasonable size, but they stock it with enough alcohol for a store 10x bigger. The aisles are 6 inches across. It is almost impossible to walk around without knocking into something. Some of the center aisles completely block the wall displays. You have to be a contortionist to reach the inventory. On top of that, they have 15 useless employees who just take up more space. Everywhere you turn, there’s someone else asking if you need help. Every aisle, every square inch of that place is just packed beyond all belief. To make it worse, they have 4 separate check out areas — I’m not talking about 4 registers — I mean there’s a main «check-​out» area, and then there are 3 other separate check-​out areas. These also take up space and block access to the wall displays. Completely useless. I suspect that 50% of their business comes from people who accidentally broke something. After I selected what I wanted to purchase, I went to wait on the line to pay (despite have 4 separate check-​out areas, only 1 was open). When I was second in line, an employee from the other side of the store ran over (jostling several other customers) and grabbed my basket and insisted on placing the bottles on the counter for me. I neither asked for his help, nor did I need it. The counter was literally one foot away. He just made everything even more confusing, especially when he intermixed my bottles with the bottles of another customer. Just a huge mess. Do yourself a favor and shop somewhere else. This place is an absolute disaster.

TERRIBLE PLACE! Don’t go here even if you have no other option… The staff is incredibly rude, and they have a policy where everyone in the groups needs to be a. of age and b. have a valid US ID or passport with them. I had lost my state ID just two days ago and just had my driver’s license from home (I am not a US citizen). I’m sorry, you’re expecting me to bring my frikking passport to a casual trip to the wine store!!! Then my friend said he’d pay because he had a US license on him, and they refused to serve him either because «We were in the same group.» as someone (with the same complaint) mentioned below, what if a mother comes in with kids!?! That rule is absolutely ridiculous. NEVER setting food in here despite the place being two blocks away from me.

Over priced and rude/​surly staff.
I was buying a $ 25 bottle — even though I knew I was overpaying, I did not feel like walking two blocks extra to one of the more reasonable places. Then the woman at the register was so unbelievably rude and surly that I cancelled my order, returned the bottle and walked out. In addition to already having an attitude, I asked the obnoxious woman where the garbage pail was so i could throw out thin empty envelope (a standard sized envelope — nothing large or FedEx sized). She refused to take the envelope and told me to throw it out in the street corner can. Obviously, that is what they must do with much of their garbage. I was so shocked that, here I am buying an overpriced $ 25 bottle and she couldn’t even take a small empty envelope! I thought she was joking and asked, «are you serious?» She was dead serious! Indeed, that is no way to treat a customer. Well, I learned my lesson to aviod this place and will save money along the way by going to the more reasonably priced competition two blocks away.

Well stocked wine/​liquor store with exceptionally friendly service. I make a weekly stop after work to get my few bottle of very affordable wine! They have a great selection of chilled, white wine. Highly recommend!

Word of advice: Do not purchase your liquor from this store unless you have no other option!
We were on our way to a house warming party and this was the most convenient. My bf picked out something and was going to pay when I noticed one of the staff was staring at me. I gave him a look like ‘why the heck are you staring at me?’ and decided I’d wait outside. Well apparently for this store if you come in as a group even if only one of you is buying the whole group has to be of age and you have to show ID. Given that the guy was staring at me rudely I did not want to comply. And if it were up to me I’d have gone elsewhere but we were already late. They post these signs but not conspicuously enough. Also, if you’re going to card everyone why not card them when they walk in?! It was ridiculous. What if a mother with kids walk in to buy wine for home? Are they not gonna sell her wine then? Never coming back here again.

very friendly staff and great recommendations for cheap wine. If you are looking for a great wine for under $ 20 they will lead you in the right direction. My wife and I are not wine experts but we are always happy with their recommendations. Plus whenever we bring a wine recommended by them to a party the reviews are very positive.

Very decent selection for any budget. If I need a quick bottle this place does really well in a pinch. Plus the staff is super friendly and gives great recommendations.
Overall, great for a quick bottle but I just load up when I go visit family in NJ.

came here for a last minute wine purchase while on my break from work. So it was completely random but I had a great experience. Asked someone for a wine suggestion and explained what I was looking for, in complete layman terms because I don’t have an extensive knowledge on wine, but his suggestion did turn out to be delicious. And it met my 20 $ limit! It took him all about 5 seconds to suggest me a wine after hearing what I wanted. Easy, quick and worthwhile, the first and last stop I needed to make!

I told Matthew – whom I think I recognize from his photo here – that I was looking for a Bordeaux for $ 40-​$ 50, and he started telling me how he thinks that Margaux is the most elegant Bordeaux etc. and that they had come across this little-​known wine that was terrific and a very good price and they grabbed it. He then showed me a bottle with «Baron de Brane» on the label. I said, «Oh, is that the second wine of Brane-​Catenac [famous Margaux château]?» Indicating that the answer was «no,» Matthew looked at the back label and read off someone’s name and said that he was a «negociant» and explained that this was a winemaker who went around buying choice (not always!) grapes from various producers without owning vineyards himself. Well, it turns out that Baron de Brane IS the second wine of Brane-​Catenac, so hardly a «find,» and that the man whose name is on the bottle, Henri Lurton, owns the famous Brane-​Catenac château, so hardly a negociant. All this makes Matthew seem totally ignorant! (I don!‘t think he was being deceptive.) I didn’t love the wine, mediocre ratings, I paid $ 50, $ 35 elsewhere in NYC.

Didn’t accept official Finnish ID.
Anyway good selecton of different whines, expensive and cheap ones.

I don’t come here often because the prices are a bit inflated on average and it’s hard to find things (the way it is organized is headache worthy). But it’s convenient on my walk home from the subway after work and lately has had one of the largest rosé selections on the UES, with varieties from various countries/​regions. I would really only come here for the rosé to be honest, because Wine Emporium is closer to me and has waaaay better prices overall (better on both wine and spirits).

From the outside, McCabes looks very promising. Their bright awning and sign should entice any to step in, shop for a favorite bottle of wine or two. However, after paying a visit, I find the selection really does beg for more. Also, definitely a bit overpriced for a lot of the labels here when compared to others. Pricing though is a given considering the Upper East Side location. The staff hasn’t been terribly helpful, depending. I’ve inquired on particular wines, only to be pointed to those above my intended budget.
Aside from the blemishes of a rather disappointing selection and unsatisfactory pricing, the store is clean and organized to a certain level. Organization could still use work, however. They sell other liquors, like standard rum, vodka, gin, whiskey, etc. For basic and simple wine shopping, McCabes does the job. Since the store isn’t so large, it enables for a quick shop. This isn’t the ideal place from which to stock up on your wines though. All in all, semi-​decent selection at best, overpriced for most, less than helpful staff. I have a feeling there are better liquor stores around the block.

I genuinely wish I could give 0 stars. I know this review is long but I don’t write reviews often so hear me out, this one really counts, and please do yourself a favor and DO NOT go to this liquor/​wine store, and instead go to one of the many others in the area.
I went to McCabes earlier today to buy a nice bottle of whiskey for my friend who just graduated law school. Before I even approached the counter to pay, the cashier glared at me, threw her hand up and said «ID?» Mind you I had not even reached the counter yet, so I wasn’t actually even sure that’s what she said. So I continued my approach, put this whiskey I was buying for my friend on the counter, and went into my wallet to pull out my card. Again she said «ID?» but this time with a huge, even snarky, attitude. I give her a look (yes I fully admit I sassed her right back) and hand her my ID. I already felt disrespected at this point bc (1) she asked for my ID before I even reached the counter and committed to purchasing a thing, and (2) she did so in a really rude way. I get you have to ID me, that’s fine, but there’s no need to speak to another person that way, let alone a customer! Then, before she even looked at my ID that I had just handed her, she stopped and asked (again with attitude), «How old are you?» I said «I’m 27.» (Again with an attitude right back at her bc this woman is already being so rude). She then LAUGHED (apparently my age is funny?) looked at the ID, saw it was legit, and handed it back to me. I took my ID back and shook my head because I couldn’t actually believe the way this woman was acting. She then said, «What’s your problem?» to which I responded, «You’re being extremely rude.» She said, «I have to ask everyone for ID even 40 year olds,» and I respond, «Yes I completely understand that but you don’t have to be so rude about it.» She gave me another look, rolled her eyes, rang me up, then went back to staring at me without saying a word. I could not see what the total charge was for my purchase because the computer/​register was facing her. Her stare continued, and then she said, with even more attitude than before, «You wanna pay for this?» To which I responded «What’s the total?» Because well, usually a customer is told the total of her purchase before she blindly hands away her credit card. The woman rolled her eyes yet again, turned the computer screen and pointed to the total. I then said, «Usually a customer is told the total of her purchase before giving away her card,» (not to mention that if I was paying cash I wouldn’t know how much to even hand her), to which she responded, «You got a problem.» (sic). I said «Are you serious?» She said, «It’s too early for this», I responded, «I’ve worked in customer service before and you are being unbelievably rude.» She then gave me a look and said «Psh you got a problem.» I then said, «I would like to speak to the manager.» She responded, now yelling, «YOU GOT A PROBLEM,» I then asked, three more times, «WHERE IS THE MANAGER?» The manager then appeared, I told him what happened, he said it was customary to ask for ID. I said that I absolutely understood and respected that, and the asking for the ID wasn’t the issue, but the way she asked for it and the way she (as a sales associate) spoke to me (as the customer) was the issue. He said sorry, but basically just stood there and did nothing. I said «I just moved to the area and you already lost a customer, you can’t have your sales associates being so rude to customers,» and all the while, while I’m trying to speak to the manager, the cashier was yelling things in the background like, «Can you give me lessons on how to be polite?» and, «Good, leave we don’t want you here!» and I just looked at the guy like, dude seriously? I said, «Do you see the way this woman is speaking to me? You cannot have your employees speak to customers this way.» Needless to say, I will never be stepping foot in there again, and neither should you.

I walk pass here all the time and decided to stop in. Never again. really really really rude staff. Not a good selection of wine. But even so, the rude staff had me walking out empty handed. So much for first impressions. Avoid this place. There are so many other better wine/​liquor stores on every block.

My boyfriend lives steps away from this place, so we’ve been coming here for almost 3 years. Neither of us has ever had any problems until tonight.
After deciding on a bottle of wine, I take it up to the register for purchase. I hand the cashier the wine with both my driver’s license & debit card. She gives me an odd smirk and says, «I need to see HIS ID too… because he’s with you.» (My boyfriend and I are 29 & 30, respectively, but I’ll admit we look rather young for our age) So as he’s pulling out his ID the cashier is swiping mine (for validity I guess?). She says, «Oh, no, sorry, it doesn’t swipe so I can’t sell to you.» Then quickly grabs our wine bottle, tosses it on a shelf behind her and immediately looks past us for the next customer. As my boyfriend and I are standing there puzzled, wondering what just happened, an older man in a sport coat (the manager, perhaps?) walks up. I explain that my (perfectly legitimate and up-​to-​date) driver’s license isn’t swiping and ask him why that might be happening. He shrugs and says he has no clue, but offers to try swiping it again until the cashier lady abruptly cuts him off saying, «NO, I already tried — it won’t work.» My boyfriend says to the man, «Ok, how about I just purchase it instead?» The cashier answers for him, «NO, because you’re with her and her ID doesn’t swipe.» At that same moment, she’s ringing up the older couple who was behind us. There was absolutely no request for IDs for either one of them. They were purchasing their bottles of wine with no questions asked. Neither me or my boyfriend is the type to make a fuss or a scene, so we decided to just go.
The customer service at McCabes is typically indifferent, which I’ve never minded since I’m never in there longer than 10 mins. But their attitudes tonight were downright dismissive and unfair. It’s unfortunate because you’d think that after 3 years there would be some sort of familiarity between the staff and the neighborhood customers.
We will definitely be taking our business elsewhere.

Ehh… This place is ok. Their liquor selection is horrible. They do know their wines, though.
BUT…
The prices here are RIDICULOUS! Completely taking advantage up UES customers. If I could find another place, I would do so.

My girlfriend and I have been going here for about a year until today and I will never go back again. I was walking my dogs with my girlfriend and we decided to grab a nice bottle of wine for dinner in our apartment. I gave my girlfriend money because she didn’t have her wallet and she went in to pick up the wine. I stayed outside because I didn’t think they allowed dogs in the store. She comes outside a minute later and says the cashier needs my ID because she didn’t have hers. Fine, I completely understand that. I go inside and show the cashier my ID which says I am 28 and the lady looks at me like I was crazy. She said I was trying to buy wine for an underage person. Mind you, I am 28 and my girlfriend is 26. She then tells me in the most rude condescending tone I have ever been spoken to in that it is illegal and I cannot buy anything form the store.
Lets think about this McCabes…
1) WHY ON EARTH WOULD I SEND MY «UNDERAGE» (26 year old) girlfriend to go buy a bottle of wine when I am a 28 year old just waiting outside
2) What underage kid would buy ONE $ 30 bottle of wine?
I would completely understand a situation where someone who they have never seen who looks underage goes in and attempts to buy a gallon of cheap vodka and gets rejected, then sends someone they meet on the street to get it for them. COMPLETELY different situation. I have been here many times with my girlfriend and they should have handled it differently. YES they need an ID that is completely understandable, but NO this isn’t a conspiracy for me to buy a underage kid an expensive bottle of wine.
I called the manager after and he said the situation was handled appropriately and the situation that occurred was ILLEGAL.
That is BS. I looked up the law (Section 65 of the NYS ABC) and there is nothing in there that says what occurred was illegal. It only says, in the handbook not the law, that «if you observe minors congregating outside your establishment approaching adults or handing money to adults, ask the customer if he or she is buying the items for someone else.» So my girlfriend was congregating outside of your store begging for me to buy her alcohol? Not even close.
I went down the block to In Vino Veritas and bought the SAME bottle for 20% less. Also Vino Veritas is MUCH nicer, has a better selection and excellent service.
If you want to be treated like a criminal, pay more for your alcohol, and go to a place that will never remember your face, sure go here! If not go down the block and save yourself the frustration.

The folks here are ALWAYS friendly, anxious to help even complete wine dunces like myself.
I appreciate the guys who’ve helped me make selections several times, not steering me toward high-​ticket bottles but focused on what I’m looking for.
Great place, competitive prices and excellent, friendly customer service. What’s not to love here?!?

WTF is with this place? I know its the UES and prices are going to be higher. They have a pretty nice selection of French wines for sale (with a few more $$ tagged on) I need to pick up some wine and some nice flavored Bacardi.
I ask for the new Torched Cherry flavored Bacardi.
Nope, not here
How about Dragon Berry?
Nope. As a matter of fact, there are no Bacardi flavored rum here.
Only Bacardi.
How 1999!
If you need rum and want flavored Bacardi to make drinks, this is not your store.