Central Liquors

why would anyone ever shop here? the prices are the highest in DC MD and VA. down E street 3 blocks west is a great liquor store with reasonable prices, consistent with other DC liquor stores.

3.5 Stars
Central Liquors has had a long and varied history in downtown DC. I started frequenting them about 25 years ago when the were located on 9^th Street in the building currently occupied by Ruth’s Chris. At the time it was owned by a former DC cop and was the only place in DC I could find Baltimore’s National Premium beer.
Fast forward 15 years and they’d move to F Street next to Cowgirl Creamery and it was owned by an Armenian gentleman. Personally, I thought their location next to a cheesemonger was perfect. Unfortunately rent got too damn high and they lost their lease (and Cowgirl pulled out of the DC market) but were able move, complete with iconic sign, to their current (smaller) E Street location.
All that being said, Central isn’t DC’s best liquor store, but it is convenient if live or work downtown. Their forte is higher end (particularly French) wines and liquors; I was able to pick up a bottle of Pineau de Charentes here when I couldn’t find it elsewhere On the downside, the beer selection is limited. Additional pet peeve: the pushy sales people.

Love this place! It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but they actually have a decent selection and reasonable prices. The guys that run it are super friendly. The only downside is their hours suck and they’re closed on Sundays.

How can this place stay in business with their ultra inconvenient hours? Probably the high prices and lack of competition in the area…

No selection. I checked the website which had a very good selection of single malts but when I got to the store they had nothing. No Aberlour, no Highland Park, no Balvenie and after that I walked out. I will never go to this store again. Don’t waste your time. Go to Calverts instead.

«Undoubtedly the best liquor store in the city» — yeah right!!!
Central Liquor charges a premium for everything. Compare their prices with those from Montgomery County and you’ll find every product is significantly marked up in price. For example, Central is charging $ 1,499 (as of the date of this review) for the 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle. Mont. Co. — $ 248.45.
If you think the markup is justified because Pappy is so rare (which it is) look at something that is sold in practically every liquor store — Basil Hayden’s. Central — $ 47.99, Mont. Co. — $ 38.09.
Think comparing a state store to an independent is unfair, ok. Washington Wine and Liquor which is just a few blocks west of Central sells the 10 year Eagle Rare for $ 28.99, Central $ 36.99. (Mont. Co. charges $ 25.45).
This place is a ripoff.

Went to find some wines to serve on Christmas Day and when I walked in no one greeted me or asked me if I needed help in selecting wines. It was obvious that I didn’t know what I was looking for and could have used some assistance. What made it worse was that they helped every other person who came into the store after me. (I am a female and everyone who came in after me was male) Hmmmm… Not saying that that gender bias was definitively the reason, but makes one wonder. Would definitely not go back. Besides, their wines are way over priced.

Undoubtedly the best liquor store in the city. Of course they do stock the standards, but Raj and crew are phenomenal at providing nuanced and considered recommendations for something new. Gin and scotch selections are excellent and quite variable. One easily comes across complex, yet affordable option on both scores given their selection. Care to try something entirely new? Various interesting apéritif options can also be found. The variability and people has led me to return regularly even though I now no longer live in that part of the city.
Thankfully, they largely (albeit not entirely) stray away from the ubiquitous kitsch usually found in Washington liquor stores. And the team truly know their trade.
On their wines, they have a large Californian and French selection. Although they certainly do have their share of Italians and Argentinians, on the whole I would say it is less of their strong suit by comparison. Pricing is very good, keeping quality with affordability. I can easily go in and pick up a decent $ 18 bottle of wine or an amazing $ 45 bottle, depending upon their fare and occasion. In either case, if you find yourself in pretty regularly (as I do) get to know the guys and you’ll find they really do get to know you and your preferences and start recommending just the right thing depending upon the occasion.
Couldn’t comment on beer selection, no idea but I suspect not significant. For those who prefer good wines and liquor that is probably for the best in any case.
All around, excellent place. Couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Every time I visit this store, I always end up enjoying a good tasting event. I like that I can taste my product before I buy!
The staff is very helpful and polite. They carry a good selection of «regular» stuff but they specialize in all the hard to find products that no other store seems to be able to acquire. If they don’t have something in stock, they can usually get it in one business day. Where else can you find Wasmund’s Blue Top Single Malt Whiskey? You can’t even find that at Jack Rose! Great store and great service. ..

Not good for beer, and weekend hours are too early for residents. But appears to have a great liquor and wine selection.

Beer review only:
Prices are higher than most liquor stores here in DC. Selection is limited, but has random good beers (such as Racer 5). I would only come here if you are in the immmediate area and need to get booze quickly, otherwise I’d suggest going elsewhere.

I was excited to find a liquor store in Penn Quarter since this area (DC, VA, etc.) only sells liquor at designated stores, unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. I took a look at the inventory online and headed over to make my purchases.
BUMMER!!! Out of the four items that I selected from the online listing, the store had NONE. None. Zero, zip, nada, absolutely nothing. I wasn’t looking for specialty alcohol, rare, hard-​to-​find items. My list consisted of Firefly (sweet tea vodka), Grey Goose Le Citron, Gentleman Jack (Jack Daniels), and Bacardi Ron Reserva. 0 – 4.
There was a helpful guy there who came over pretty quickly after he saw that I was looking rather lost. He made lots of recommendations that I was able to take him up on. I ended up leaving with three items, no sweet tea vodka. The rating is redeemed by the fact that they carry the BEST whiskey ever… Belle Meade. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a bottle recommended by the shopkeeper, but one I picked out myself based on previous knowledge.
Three stars for convenience and Belle Meade, two stars down for failing to update their inventory online and in store (and the ubiquitous mark up).

Love this place. Excellent selection, service and expertise. I always seem to find something new to enjoy whenever I stop by. Their recommendations have always been spot on. Tasting license is a huge plus that most stores do not have.

Part of my is still bitter that I have to go to a specialized liquor store to buy liquor, but I guess I have to get used to it now that I live in DC. Central Liquors is on the small side and they have an ok selection of beer, wine and liquor. A bottle of Ketel One was around $ 30. I searched for Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum and they didn’t have it. It’s close to home and the only liquor store that I know of so far. I’ll keep going there. Nothing bad about it, but nothing great either.
I saw that they have tastings so I might go check that out and update this review. But overall, ok liquor store.

I went one random saturday and was able to samble at least 5 different spirits. The owner Raj is nice and well informed on his products.
If you’re looking for a klassy liqour store this is your place.

These guys are awesome! I stumbled on this place several months ago and was totally blown away by the experience. I was browsing the burbon selection when the owner «Deep» stopped by and asked me if I wanted to try a «few». Fifteen minutes later we were 5 or 6 whiskey’s deep and having a great time.
My girlfriend (having finished her cupcake from around the corner) came in to see what was «taking so long», and in no time he had her trying a bunch of flovored vodkas and other things up her alley.
All in all, this was one of the most enjoyable liquor store experiences I have ever had, and every time I go back, I receive the same level of service.
Essentially, it seems like these guys will do their level best ot help you find (and try) exactly what you are looking for. No competition, Central is the place to go.

Stopped in because they had a sign out front saying «Complimentary Wine Tasting.» There were people who were walking right by it! Maybe they were illiterate?
Anyway, not only was there free wine, there also free beer! I didn’t buy any because I was in a rush (too much of a rush to buy beer, not too much of a rush to drink it), but this place has totally earned my business next time I’m in the area.

Thanks to their website I was clued in that they may not have my go-​to brand of cheap cava, Freixenet. For those who don’t know, cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne and a whole lot cheaper. I called them up to check for sure before I left my hotel room on a dinner and alcohol quest and indeed they did not have it, but they did have a similarly-​priced cava and the owner graciously offered to put it in the freezer to chill while I made my way over (I had asked if there were any in the cold case and the answer was no). Yay for cold bubbly! It was tasty, although Freixenet is still my fave.

They have parking for my Ferrari so what esle can I ask for when I buy booze on Friday!!!

This is not the Central that some of you (or your grandparents) may remember. The selection, location and the management has recently changed, and it is much improved in all regards! I found it because I was walking on 7^th Street one evening and saw it just off the corner of 7^th and E St, a block south of Gallery Place. I walked in looking for some gifts for co-​workers, however I don’t know much about wines or spirits. Despite my lack of knowledge, I found the staff to be witty, friendly and very helpful.
The staff went out of their way to assist me locating a wine within my price range, and even offered me a sample to help me decide which one I should go with. Needless to say my colleague loved the wine that was recommended by their staff member, Michael.
When I told my colleague where I found the wine, she told me that her grandmother used to buy liquor from Central Liquors «back in the day» and that busloads of people used to visit the store from all over the Eastern U.S. to purchase products that they couldn’t get back home. This is consistent with what I heard from Central’s staff, as I learned that they ship their products to customers in over 35 states around the U.S. So if you are a tourist visiting D.C. and you want to try something new, remember to grab their card, because they will probably be able to ship it to you if you can’t locate it back home.
Although, I do not frequent liquor stores, I have observed that many (without naming names) in D.C. often do not even greet their customers (through bullet-​proof panes and unintelligible accents) and I have never heard of one that willingly offers to allow the customer to taste their products prior to purchasing.