Buckingham Wine & Spirits

Stay away from this place. The man working behind the counter on 9/13 was extremely rude and unprofessional. He refused me service with a valid out-of-state driver's license. When he asked me about an unfamiliar item I was trying to buy, he was unresponsive to anything I was telling him. Instead, he told me to go somewhere else and proceeded to sell alcohol to another girl that looked the same age as me.

Is it weird to be a regular at your neighborhood bottle shop? I think it's kind of awesome. Buckingham always has a great selection of...pretty much everything. Beer, wine, spirits, and some of the harder-to-find alcohol toys that are worth seeking out for those experimental cocktails.

Great selection of pretty much everything. They’ve got a three full cases of good beer and a whole lot of wine and liquor. Their prices are pretty bad ($70 for a bottle of Laphroaig 10!?), but the selection makes up for it. Neat place, I’ll definitely stop in again if I’m in the area.

As stated by another reviewer, I used to enjoy shopping here when a different family seemed to run it, but the current guy behind the counter is the worst. He demanded more money after I already paid, but couldn't give me an intelligible reason why. He is always grumpy and seems to loathe your existence. Stay well away. TJ's across the street or the liquor store around the corner on Grand will get my business now.

Went to buy some "standard issue" drink. Clerk crammed three, one quart bottles into one plastic bag. I asked for a second bag. The grumpy clerk charged me 10¢ and got upset that I didn't have exact change on hand. Clerk would not let me look at the liquor bottles - couldn't read any of the labels. Minimal language skills. So asking about a product is totally pointless. Spent $45 for this lovely experience. I may be back ... 'cause I'm lazy. UPDATE: Service has improved! Same clerk but less grumpy. So I bumped up the rating from 3 up to 4 stars! Thank You ...

Ugh ! There were a couple years ago, some friendly ladies running the store. Although it is somewhat overpriced, you could still snag an occasional deal. HOWEVER, last month going in there was HORRENDOUS. Some nasty character was *working* in there, and OVERCHARGED me for a particular item that I buy. It is a standard price. When I brought the OVERCHARGING to this guy's attention, he became vitriolic, hateful and VERY hostile. I will NOT BE GOING BACK AGAIN. And will be reporting this as well. Bottom line...this so called cashier is a THIEF.... BYE BYE.

Very friendly staff! They helped me find the Amaro Nonino I needed to make my favorite cocktail at home. Highly recommend this place if you're looking for great service and selection!

I can only speak to the beer selection, which is excellent. Of course they have a ton of IPAs and their iterations because that's what everyone has to have but their selections for Porters, Stouts, Brown ales are quite a breath of fresh air. Check them out.

Great selection of wines and spirits. We've been going to them ever since we moved to the neighborhood 20+ years ago. Highly recommended!

What a selection! So many categories of wine and spirits... they seriously have a little bit of everything. Friendly service to top things off. Great neighborhood place.

This used to be a great store with the old owners/staff, but I'll never shop here again. The older man, who I believe is pictured in another scathing review, is so contemptuous and ill-suited to be in customer service that he has turned a once neighborhood gem into a place to be avoided. If the owner was serious about "taking these comments seriously", he would have removed this guy already. Sad.

Ive had at least 3 excellent experiences at this store in the past...so my wxperience this evening was a big deviation from those past experiences. When I entered the store, there was nobody in the store except for a man behind the counter who looked up at me as I entered, stood up, and walked into the rear storage area. He didnt say anything and I assumed (and hoped -- as I wanted some advice on planned purchases--) that he'd soon return. That didnt happen and, as I scanned the bottles on the shelves behind the counter, I saw that he was mopping the floor in back. After several minutes, a woman entered the store, calling out at which the man appeared from the storeroom said something to her that I couldnt decipher and began to walk along the length of the counter. As he came close to where I was, Iasked him he stocked a particular liqueur that I was looking for wherupon he grabbed a bottle from the shelf behind him. As he did so, I remarked that it was the bottle ion the next row that I was inquiring about. Still silent, he kept the bottle and walked past me to the customer who had walked in and began a conversation with her. Evidently, they knew each other. I waited several more minutes while conversation continued after which I left the store.

What an amazing selection of bottles they carry! I was with a friend who is as devoted to a great cocktail or glass of wine as I am, and we were absolutely gobsmacked by the extensive selection of spirits, mixers, Amari, wine - speaking of which, they have a nice assortment of chilled sparkling, too. This place is truly a gem!

I was walking past his store this is a business owner and I plucked a flower from the garden and he became extremely hostile and told me not to touch it and even called me a bitch and a whore I would not recommend the store very unprofessional and a lot of hate towards a black young woman who simply was just enjoying her day walking down the block. Black Lives Matter

So. Many. Wines. What looks like your average drugstore on the outside is a treasure chest full of wonders and wines on the inside. I mean, there are shelves upon shelves of wines, spirits, and refrigerators full of booze. Glancing at the storefront, I just had to go in. The open door was just beckoning to me... I didn't really intend on buying anything... until I bought something. I probably could spend a few hours in there just scanning wines with the Vivino app learning about the different flavors, fruits, and regions each bottle came from. But with the amount of merchandise in there, the place feels pretty small even with three other customers walking around. More of a grab and go situation. The lady at the cash register was more than helpful and nice! That deserves another star for knowing your wines. Will probably be back sooner rather than later.

As the name of the business indicates, Buckingham carries a wide variety of wines and spirits, plus candy, snacks, sodas, etc. After taking care of business at the Sprint PCS Store, my husband and I needed iced cold liquid refreshments (him, beer; me, Crystal Geyser lemon flavored sparkling mineral water) due to the hot weather and the sweltering heat...ugh. We found what we needed and paid for it. It was pricey. A 24-oz. can of MGD and a bottle (42.3 oz.) of water cost us $5.00. I believe we would have been better off driving around the corner to Grand Avenue and headed to Safeway for our liquid refreshment.

Super selection, extremely friendly and helpful family running the place. Good prices. Happy to get everything I can from here instead of BevMo to help keep our neighborhood alive & special. been coming for years. (Not sure why folks would give less than five stars)

When being greedy goes bad. I was excited to find a hard to come by acholiic beverage here after calling all over the Bay Area trying to locate it. They had it tucked in a case in back of some other bottles of misc liquor. So i purchased the bottle at a reasonable price $100 +, very comparable to other stores who would nomally have it. So i asked if they had anymore she said yes and to call her later in the week because she had it in storage. So i called her a few days later, she said she had it and wanted to charge me an additional 30 bucks on top of original cost. Basically 30 percent more. Just crazy. Why be greedy? You lost a potential life long customer who enjoy fine spirits and wine. The interesting part of the story is, i found another store who had it slightly cheaper, they sold it to me plus i picked up another hard to find spirit.

very rude service. when i walk in i feel unwelcomed and the staff is unresponsive to customers

Buckingham carries a vast amount of wines, hard liquor of all types, cigs, and a selection of beers. at a glance. alcohol seem pricey. for younguns, there's ice cream, candies, chips, snacks. eats: hagen daz (1.75) -something to cool down with on a warm day. notes: -a chihuahua keeps watch here, didn't bark when i walked out of the store with ice cream in hand looking for the cashier. -4 stars for selection, 3 stars for pricing.

I was looking for a bottle of st. george's lot 13 single malt whiskey. It just came out and most retailer's only got six bottles. They were selling at the distillery for $70 a bottle but ran out of their limited supply. I went here because they just got their shipment of six bottles that day and was surprised that they were selling it for $89.99. It is in limited stock but all the other retailers are selling much cheaper. I also noticed they are selling Johnny Walker Blue for $219 and I saw it at Bevmo last week for $169. There is nothing special about this place for them to be charging so much for their products.

I've been coming here for years. They have a great selection, often cheaper than other places nearby, and well-stocked. Super-friendly, open when I need them, they have a great high-end selection, and more than once they've ordered stuff just because we asked for it.

They carry St Germain in the big poppa 750 mL bottle and the baby 375 mL bottle, at about the same price as BevMo. That's really all that I, or anyone with good taste in booze, needs to know. Classy drinkers will like it in here. Also: it's clean, open late, and there's a pleasant couple working behind the counter, making the whole late-night alcohol purchase feel so much less sleazy. I'll be back for more St G!

This place is definitely one of a kind, they are a very small shop but somehow manage to stock every kind of alcohol that one could possibly need within their shelves. Recreational drinkers and connoisseurs alike will love this place;whether you drink PBR or 25 year Johnny Walker Blue Label, they have you covered. If you come here, I suggest taking a peek into their craft beer coolers, I've found tons of great local craft brews for cheaper than bevmo sells them :)

For a neighborhood liquor store, Buckingham's is amazingly good. I am a beer person, and I am always impressed with their selection of beer - they have a wide range that covers everything from California to Belgium. I am a little less a wine person, but I have found many wines that I like here, and that I consider to be well-priced. I appreciate that they take the time to put little notes next to the wine ("Very fruity!" "Rated blah blah in WIne Spectator!"), because it makes me feel a little better about buying a cheap bottle of wine with a pretty label. They also have an ENORMOUS wall of the hard stuff, so I think there is a good chance that you can find what you're looking for here for your cocktail du jour. You might have to search for it yourself though, because I don't think that the owners are actually too well versed in alcohol. Case in point: I made crock pot apple cider (num num!) over the holidays, and the recipe suggested that I spike it with some apple brandy. Cut scene. LOCATION: Buckingham Wine & Spirits, a cold and windy December evening. ME: (no clue, really) I'm looking for apple brandy...? COUNTER-LADY: (no clue, really) Hmm... (points to assorted brandies) Pear? Peach? I don't see apple... ME: Uh, well, I'm making apple cider. Can you recommend something? COUNTER-LADY: (completely flummoxed) ...I don't really drink. At all. So, I ended up with some apple-flavored Bacardi. It worked. But I can't help wondering what could have been, and if there was a dusty bottle of apple brandy hidden away somewhere high on a shelf. By the way, I have never had any bad encounter with the people who work here. They have always been sweet, courteous, non-alcoholic enablers. NPR is always playing behind the counter. I am never judged. Also, they have ice cream. What more could you want?

You were good to me last friday night. All I wanted was a bottle of my favorite red and to curl up under a blanket with it . I was able to do that ( before getting thoroughly smashed). Lucky for me the Walgreens across the street doesn't sell booze and Buckingham carries my favorite , Ménage à Trois. They have a large variety of wines including one called "Hanna" that I'm eager to buy. The beer selection is great. I noted Red Hook Blonde, Stone IPA, Amstel and the usual. They sell Marlboro 27's and though I'm not encouraging you to smoke you would be surprised how many liquor stores I've been in that have forced me to settle for camel filters ( rarrr) and I've been on those blends since the great flood. Dropped 35 for a Sixer, a pack of smokes, bottle of wine and a 4 dollar wine opener. Pricey but I'm happy to pay for what I want.

This is a hole-in-the-wall type family establishment, in a good way. They can't afford heavy discounting but they make up for it with convenience and selection. The buyer is a chemical engineer and does a phenomenal job covering the liqour marketplace, including for connoisseurs. I have to qualify that last bit because they don't specialize like, say, D&M on Fillmore in the City (single malts), but the selection is phenomenal nonetheless. Highly recommended. Great people in a compact store conveniently located - if you drink, support them. If you are looking for exercise, go to one of of the big box stores :)

It's a little pricy but it's a nice, cute little liquor store. They have a ton of wines, liquors, and smokes. You'll be surprised at how large the selection is for such a small store. Friendly staff as well. I dig it.

They have an eclectic selection. Do you know anyone who has a drink that's they ONLY thing they will drink???? I have friends like that. Well, trying to be the good hostess I went to BevMo, thinking they would have this particular cognac.....ummmmm NO. I went here as a last resort, and they had the specific brand, in several sizes!!!! They also have the early edition of the Sunday Chronicle available on Sat evening, so you can get started on perusing the sale circulars and planning that Sunday morning shopping spree! The staff is also very friendly and non-judgmental of your purchases.

Great selection of higher end booze. Nice atmosphere in the store. Quirky staff but that is so much better than no personality or character. A little pricier on most items than I would have expected but sometimes there are great deals too. Nice shop. "Let's get pissed" - cheers.!

I used to go here a loooong time ago when I worked down the street. They used to have Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale!!! Ok.. this place is about a closet wide.. .and definitely had that liquor store feel where they are watching you all the time... and about you shoot you for shoplifting... Too bad... it's probably waranted.... good luck guys...

I love these guys. Locally owned and great selection, but what I like most is they scrape the price tag off of the wine bottle when you by it. No need to ask, they just do it. I'm usually grabbing something there for a dinner party nearby and it's just a thoughtful thing for them to do.

I think the floor is going to collapse here. And you'd think that a tiny little junky store would be super-cheap, but the prices aren't anything special. The only saving graces? Location and staff. The staff has gotten friendlier in the recent years. Pay attention to what you're buying...I found some OLD items on the shelves...not good old. Bad old.

This is our last stop before heading home with an Arizmendi pizza to pick an interesting 22 oz. beer to share in front of the TV watching our most recent Netflix. Perfect for a cold and rainy Friday night in. The staff is always nice and the beer selection always has something worth giving a try. This probably goes without being said but I prefer supporting the local specialized merchants in my neighborhood over the chain stores and they make it easy to do so.

For such a modest looking place, they have a great selection of wine and beer. The owners, while quiet and reserved, and very nice and helpful. I don't think they drink alcohol, but if you need advice, they can tell you what's popular with their other customers. We're lucky to have such a great source of beverages in our neighborhood.

too bad. I called to see if they had any amaros. Here's the convo: Him: "We have some, Montenegro, Nonino and I can't remember the other two" Me: "Can you find out for me?" Him: "They're in the back" Me: "Can you find out what they are?" He does go and check and provide me with the other names. Me; "What's the price on the last two you said" Him: "I don't know. I need the phone line" AND HANGS UP! I call back and say "Did you just hang up on me?" Him: "Yes, I said I needed the phone line" Me: "You didn't even wait for my response and ask me?" Him: "I have several customers in line and I needed to run the machine." Me: "And that's how you tell me by hanging up?" Him: "I did tell you" Me: "Wow, can I speak to your manager?" Him: "I am the manager" Enough said. I will not spend a penny anywhere where the manager thinks its ok to just hang up on a person without communicating further.

Funky it may be but these guys have so much stuff including the small batch local stuff and for around the same prices. It's a family business and they know what they are talking about.. Not fancy but excellent all the same.

my absolute favorite place for wine. Very nice varied selection with great bargains. The family that owns it are also very nice people who you want to buy from and the reccmmendations are spot on.

The prices are a bit high but the selection is great. They have every kind of beer and it's all cold. The guys and gals behind the counter are pretty funny and get you out of there quickly. I am glad this is in the neighborhood.

Yes, I am a fan of a liquor store. They have a really good beer selection as well as wine. My sister-in-law is a beer and wine snob and was impressed to see a couple of bottles that she really liked at great prices. I also get that feeling like you're being closely watched, and possibly judged for being a drunk. I think of it as part of the irony & charm of the place ;) And they're always nice when you're at the counter paying.

Excellent wine and beer shop. Also, the owners likes to write little description cards for the wine which I really appreciate. Plus they are always helpful with finding the perfect selection for event I am attending. I've never had a bad experience here. Even found a cool pair of cheap sunglasses. Score!

For a neighborhood liquor store, they have a nice selection of beer, wine and spirits. I definitely frequent here over something else, like a Trader Joes. I like that it's locally owned and not part of a chain, plus he service is friendly and quick.

Great selection of beer, tiny store, neighborhood treasure.

Thank you to Buckingham Wines for donating wine to The TeamSplurge "Coupon Challenge" event at The Alley on Tuesday, December 11 from 6pm - 9:30pm located at 3325 Grand Av, Oakland, 94610 - 510-444-8505 Answer quiz questions and win discount coupons from local Oakland businesses. $35 includes Alley sliders, french fries, salad, beer, wine and/or specialty cocktails and a TeamSplurge! T-Shirt and more... Check out the TeamSplurge! adventure at Team-Splurge.com supporting Frank Water, Autism Speaks and The Lymphoma Research Foundation. See you there.

I really like the selection at Buckingham. I love going in there to see their large variety of beer. Until yesterday. I went in there to grab to six packs on my way to watch the Chelsea v. Arsenal game. I spent a few minutes making my selection. Newcastle (can't go wrong) and a Belgian Blond. Yummy. I walk up front, place my sixers on the counter. The man behind the counter was on the phone. He took a moment to ring up my hopped up yummyness. Still on the phone, clearly not a work related call (no, no that sounds like a good opportunity). I hand over my credit card. He continues to talk on the phone. No apparent rush to finish my sale. I wait. I'm patient, the game is on the TiVo. I lean way over the counter, the man looks my way. Holds up the credit card and nods. I nod, he continues to talk on the phone. I retreat to my side of the counter. I'm patient. He talks on the phone. I wait. The GF and her kids are in the car. I wait. I'm patient. He talks. I lean back over the counter. He nods. Was that in my direction? No? Yes? Hello? Okay, my well of patience has dried up. I ask for my credit card. He says what? I said my credit card please. He hands it to me, holds out his hand and looks at me. I put my credit card in my wallet. He says cash? I say no, but this is a great example of poor customer service. Have a nice day.

Don't let the interior of this store fool you...it's not swish like Ordinaire or swank like the other new place that opened across the street but they have a great selection of wine and liquor. The inside of the store reminds me a bit of a Wes Andersen movie. I like. Nice staff too.

Great store with an amazing selection of beer and wine. I can always find something new and the staff can make some pretty good recommendations.