Cairo Wine & Liquor

It wasn't what I was expecting,, aesthetically, but they produced! Excellent selection of wine and liquors with some top-shelf (literally) bourbon. I bought half their stock of Booker's, so don't delay picking up the other bottle

DC Wine Guy (same company/diff name). Superb service and reasonable prices. Love that it's free delivery in DC. I checked other wine shops and this was the best. I ordered on Sunday evening for Monday morning delivery during COVID, and it was delivered promptly. Also, they actually pick up the phone, answer emails and follow up with you if you have any questions. Someone even called me the next day to follow up. Lastly, the recipient advised that it was nicely wrapped and pretty (Only an extra buck for gift wrapping). Highly recommend!

There's something really awesome about Cairo that I can't quite describe without telling people to just go there. It's a small store, but absolutely packed to the brim with bottles of liquor, wine, and beer. The prices are very, very fair, and the selection is understandably awesome. The most impressive thing to me, however, is the beer selection. Not because it's large - it's not - but because the person who curates the selection clearly knows what they're doing. There are great examples of a lot of beer styles in Cairo, and while there's not a wide variety, what you get is delicious. Check back frequently to see what rare beers they're stocking at the time. I'm not going to let on to all the stuff they get in, but suffice to say that other beer stores hold entire parties dedicated to the release of some of the bottles you'll find quietly tucked away on the shelf... Oh, and the soundtrack is always awesome.

Always well stocked and friendly. I've been getting creative with different cocktails during quarantine and they've always had what I've needed. I suggest making an account with DC Wine Guy (their website) and you can do order-ahead for pick up.

I went in looking for half pint/pint of Makers Mark. They do not sell half pints. Gary recommended Bulleit Bourbon. I asked him was he sure it would be good. Gary promised that it would. I in turn told Gary that I would let him know my thoughts of the Bulleit Bourbon. Mannnnn, Gary was on point! I'll probably never purchase MM again. Bulleit Bourbon is so smooth that the only way that you would know how much you have drank is by looking at the bottle. Gratitude again, Gary!!

Such a great place to shop. Nicely organized shelves. Friendly staffs are always a plus. If you are looking for something rare, just ask the owner Howie, he will get if for you.

cool lil dump, adequate beer selection, good location, average prices... weird story, though...i stopped in to grab some out of town brews, the counter staff was friendly and helpful, but as i made my way to the back shelves a potato chip deliveryman was wheeling some boxes in to restock the racks. as he was filling the shelves, a man who i assumed was the owner walked over and asked for the invoice to review and presumably pay. he checked out the paperwork and began to freak out on the chip guy, berating him and screaming about him not bringing a particular variety of snack. the lowly wage slave calmly explained to him, as he had done the previous week, that the distributor no longer carried aforementioned flavor of fried starch/grain cracker, at which time the emperor of booze threw the bill of lading down telling the plebe that he was worthless, and wondering aloud whether selling the snacks from this particular company was worth his time...i quickly paid and left.

Decent selection of local craft beers and wine. Every time I stop in usually get some hidden gem - looks like they started getting aslin as well double ipas not just the pils etc. stout selection is also solid.

Friendly staff with excellent and timely service. Are used delivery and it was a very professional and great experience. Recommend.

We've gone to this liquor store quite a few times. I always feel like we get decent wine for a good price. There are a bunch of budget friendly wines right at the register - for example, they have nice malbecs for $7-8 which is a pretty sweet deal. They also have higher end liquors and wines. It is a small spot with a good selection. Also, the folks in there are all really nice. I never feel weird given that its all men. They also make me feel welcome and are helpful. There are always people coming in and out but never crowded. This is a go-to for us and we always love supporting local businesses. Keep being you, Cairo.

Excellent wines and Service! Howie, owner gives great advice and goes out of his way to get whatever you want if not on his shelf. Highly recommend!

A great neighborhood small liquor store with friendly staff. Gary is especially great and always willing to help you find a great bottle of wine. Support your local small business owners.

These guys always take care of me! I've been going here for over a year now and they're always super friendly and helpful -- it's just a really warm welcome from the staff every time I go. Even when I'm asking for something really obscure that they definitely don't have, they'll still check the shelves *and* try to find something comparable! Today I went in to get some stuff for a little birthday party but my arms were full after an unexpected trip to the Safeway across the street so I was trying to rearrange a big thing of juice and another bulky item in order to be able to carry the champagne home. Totally unprompted, the cashier took those items from me and bagged them up so I could more easily carry everything home! I just felt so grateful and cared for. Love these guys!

How should I say that I am conflicted about writing this review. On the one hand this store has great selection and excellent prices. On the other hand the service could be really bad. I have been a loyal customer for years and I have been treated poorly by some of the staff. Particularly, by the big guy with his name embroidered on his shirt. He yelled at me for asking about the total for the transaction. Then whenever I go into the store he refuses to greet or acknowledge me, while he extends that same courtesy to other customers in the store. I don't know why he is treating me in such a discriminatory fashion; especially when I have tried to be nothing but friendly with him and the staff, and give the store a lot of business.

I've been shopping here for many years. Knowledgeable and friendly staff, good selection, moderate pricing.

We have been ordering from Cairo for our liquor needs during the pandemic and have been thrilled with the service and selection. The deliveries come quickly and it's so easy to order. I have spoken to a couple of the guys on the phone (when stuff was out of stock) and they are always helpful and kind. Definitely recommended - and they deliver for free in DC!

This is not a wine store per se, they probably sell at least as much booze as they do wine, but if you look around a bit you'll find some surprises. Recently, when the rain forced him inside this shop, my favorite Washingtonian came back with some 2006 Mollydookers from Australia. "The Boxer" from 2005 was one we first came to love when we had it at Citronelle. It received 95 points from Robert Parker and was selected by him as the "Best Value Wine in the World under $20" We weren't able to find this wine in shops that claim to specialize in wine! I am glad Cairo's in my hood!

If I want wine or liquor, I come here. They sometimes have some great deals on nicer gins (and I assume other things) which has helped restock our liquor cabinet. EXTRA points for them, my dog knows they have frozen treats behind the counter and practically drags me in thereany time we pass. She's clearly in cahoots with management. The whole staff is super friendly and helpful.

I've lived in three different neighborhoods in DC (DuPont, AdMo, and U Street), and regardless, I always return to Cairo on 17th street for all my liquor needs. Their prices are the best and they often have sales (for instance, I managed to get a 1.75 L of Bombay Sapphire for only $33 once). Plus, they're one of the few liquor stores that sells Amarula, my favorite liqueur from South Africa. They also allow dogs and every time I bring mine, he always gets a treat from the owners, so he approves as well.

Has anyone seen the movie "Booty Call" with the two clerks that tease Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson about buying Saran Wrap at 3 am and sing a song that I would not type the lyrics to on Yelp? Those guys work here. I would come back here for the staff alone. There are a couple of guys behind the counter and they are hilarious.

Rude and condescending staff that make you feel like you're an inconvenience to them. Too many liquor stores within a couple of blocks to take my money there, done with that. Benmoll on U street always make me feel like they appreciate my business, will make them my go to liquor store.

Just went back to Cairo liquor and could not be more happy. Mitch helped me choose just the right things out for my upcoming boys weekend away. He had a deep knowledge of everything in the store, helped me select some new things to try based on my favorites, and did it in a way that made me want to keep asking and coming back. It is the kind of liquor store you go out of your way for because of the level of service. Walk in, ask for Mitch, and you're guaranteed to get exactly what you need (even if you don't know what it is) My only complaint is that I can't give Cairo liquor a sixth star.

Cairo has a great selection. And prices cant be beat, considering it's in dupont... This place is crowded almost all the time, yet they are always friendly.. But, as others have mentioned, stay away from their groupon wines. They are not even good for cooking! and they don't let you substitute..

Okay, Cairo Wine & Liquor is pretty much a godsent. Not ONLY do they know me (I live across the street for christsakes) but I'm fairly certain i'm putting at least one of their children through college with my constant purchasing. They only loose a star because they're slightly more expensive than a few liquor stores that are a block or two off of 17th street, but they're convenient as hell. Also, the (few?) times that i've come in slightly inebriated, I still received fantastic customer support. Observe the following reenactment: me: VODKA! guy behind counter: ...have you been drinking? me: of course not. Stoli me up. guy behind counter: that'll be $26! me: i love you?

Today I was asked to find a company to provide same-day delivery of a champagne gift in the city. I went straight to Google I stumbled across dcwineguy.com. I could not be more pleased with the service I received. In under an hour the gift was packaged as requested AND delivered (free delivery!!!!). They even printed out a gift message I emailed. I will definitely use their services again. Thanks, guys!

It's a convenient location, but way too expensive. I rushed to this location because I thought it was the only place that stocked some whiskeys and Scotches that were hard to find. I checked their on-line store and found the Yamazaki 18 bottle I was looking for. Went into the store and realized the price was $185--$40 higher than the on line price. Went back and ordered on line so I could pick up from the store the next day. When I got there, the guy said I caught him before the prices went up on line. Great for me, not so great for him. What's worse, is that I stopped into Irving Wine & Spirits the next day and found the exact same bottle for $120, $65 cheaper than what Cairo would charge me had I not looked on line. If you're looking for the standard spirits like Grey Goose, Bacardi, Patron, then the prices are negligible (about $1-$5 difference which is made up by commute time/distance). But if you're looking for higher end items, you're better served by going elsewhere. With the money you save, you can buy yourself a cheaper version for guests that haven't quite learned to appreciate the finer spirit you're serving, or for everyday drinking. Some price comparisons FWIW: All can be verified by going to their on line stores. All are for 750mL Glenmorangie 18 year old: $140 @ Cairo, $90 @ Irving Wine & Spirits Hennessy XO: $240 @ Cairo, $180 @ Schneider's of Cap. Hill Johnnie Walker Blue: $175 @ Cairo, $165 @ Irving, $149 @ Schneider Couvoisier XO: $110 @ Cairo, $99 @ Schneider Martell Cordon Bleu: $147 @ Cairo, $137 @ Irving, $140 @ Schneider

I love Cairo Wine & Liquor. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They have a huge selection of beer (they have a huge fridge in the back where they keep cases and kegs...see the list next to the beer), a surprisingly good selection of wine, and all of the normal liquor store staples. All the guys who work there are great. They know you by name and always seem like they are happy at work--unusual for most places.

They sure pack a lot in this hole in the wall store on 17th Street. They literally have it all. I've come in looking for obscure things even, and sure enough it was on the shelf somewhere. The personalities behind the counter are really what keep me coming back. They treat you like family - the way family treats you when they think the neighbors aren't looking. One of the biggest perks is that they deliver at no charge. And 9 times out of 10 it's a hottie that delivers it, which is always an added bonus. I know - shame on me! And they are generally generous with the discounts when buying in bulk. Like, when I have to restock my liquor closet after a Tuesday night bender. Honestly - they're a great group of people, and I'm glad to consider myself a loyal customer.

Four and a half stars. The booze-variety-per-square-footage factor is pretty impressive, the beer selection alone would make me happy enough. Great mix of micros and mainstream. Happy to see the smaller size option for St Germaine. Depending on which staff member you talk to, they may or may not have obscure items in stock; their last bottle of Old Potrero was hidden behind other whiskeys displayed behind the counter, and the less common sake my boyfriend loves was tucked into a corner of the refrigerator. Street parking was relatively easy to find around the corner. I'll likely be back when my personal bar calls for restocking. Some of their pricing is pretty competitive.

In an area where there are so many liquor stores to choose from, I did not think that the unassuming Cairo would be the one I would fall in love with. But when they were one of the few liquor stores nearby that consistently stocked Miller High Life, I decided to reward them with a little loyalty. And now I won't go anywhere else. I mostly just buy beer. And they have it all, from the low-end High Life, to the high end German beers, and most micros and mainstream beers in between. It is amazing the selection they pack into a tiny store. And though I originally came for the beer, it was the friendly service that solidified my love. The people behind the counter may seem gruff at first, but they are friendly and love to talk.

I never thought I would find a liquor store in the DC area with prices this good and feel safe being in there. The guys working there are super friendly and helpful. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this is my go to place for booze when I'm in town!

There are 3 guys that I have consistently dealt with here who are always friendly and helpful and joking around and fun. One time I was here with 2 other girls and we were getting some handles of vodka and several cases of beer for a party. We were going to carry them about 3 blocks which was doable, but was going to be a huge pain in the A. The guys saw us starting to carry the stuff out and insisted that they help us out - one of them carted everything to apartment with us for no charge! They also have a pretty decent beer selection and are very knowledgeable about craft beers. I have gotten some great recommendations from this place. The guys who own/run the store are the nicest ever. Most liquor stores I have been to tend to have sullen, indifferent staff who seem unhappy to be there - this is the opposite of that! I actually enjoy going here, which is a refreshing change. I wish I lived closer so I could go here all the time instead of the crappy Virginia ABC. Love this place!

I am in the unenviable position of being the "booze guy" for my office events, which means I get to source and purchase oodles of beer and wine on a monthly basis. When I started my job almost two years ago, we were going to the corner liquor store (which shall not be named). We're tax-exempt, but we were paying sales taxes and the store wouldn't give us the exemption! Enter Cairo... This store is the best for delivery and big orders. I don't buy liquor here, so I can't speak to the prices on individual bottles. I can speak to the outrageously good deals I've gotten on case discounts of wine. Here's how it works: I walk in, look around, brainstorm what kind of beer I want and how many bottles of wine (at what price) I want. I tell Howie or Mitchell to get me X number of cases in Y price range. They get me primo wine at maximum discounts. AND, they hook up the sales tax exemption. AND, they deliver for free. AND, they pre-chill the wine. AND, they are super friendly about it. AND, they show up on-time/early EVERY SINGLE TIME. Today, I got two cases of a $15.99 wine for $9.99, plus 5% case discount. Wild. And this is Wine Spector 92 sauv blanc! This is a top-notch operation. They know their stuff, they offer great bulk deals, and they don't jerk you around. I highly recommend them.

Twice now they have not honored their own posted price on beer. The price list on the wall might as well not exist because they apparently just make up a price when you get up to the counter, which somehow is always significantly higher than the publicly posted price. Then they look at me like I'm the fool for going by the listed price. I will buy my beer from Prego across the street and Rosebud one block up from now on.

Came here a few weeks ago to buy a bottle of Black Label for one of my friends. The guy working behind the first counter was very helpful. I came knowing what I wanted, but not knowing much about alcohol, I would come back here and ask his recommendation for future purchases. They had various sizes, so I asked him what the regular size was and he told me. They're one of the only places I could find in the area that sells Black Label, so I was happy. Also, I paid a price that wasn't too far off from the regular listed online. They rightfully carded me to make sure I was over 21, as every place does, but just shows they have integrity and care about their business and the regulations.

Don't be deterred by the size and lack of space! It is awesome and the people there are really nice. I overlooked this the first couple visits, but there is a list of all the beers they sell beyond what you see in a back room refrigerator. They also sell 30 packs which are in the back that you won't see up front. It's far superior to the beer/wine store across the street and Rose Bud down the block. They also occasionally hand out free shots of new product. One last pro is they'll order in stuff for you. I had a friend get them to order whipped lightning (liquor whipped cream). Definitely recommended and will visit whenever I'm stopping by friends' places in the area.

Great neighborhood liquor store. A somewhat typical selection of wines in the 10-20 price range, but some great stuff when you're ready to throw down a bit more. They had a wine called RED that was about $12 and was great. It cracks me up that they close at 9.55 rather than 10.00 pm.

OK... Having lived in Babylon by the Bay for 13 years (i.e., San Francisco), I have to admit that I miss BevMo--Beverages and More, a liquor warehouse that stocks booze the way that Home Depot stocks tools. No liquor store in the District even comes close, not even Cairo, but by virtue of their great selection of more esoteric (...and more expensive) libations, Cairo has become my "go-to" vendor. I mean...being the gin snob that I am, where else am I going to get both Junipero and Distillery No. 209? Cairo!

Some friends and I purchased the Groupon from the DCwineguy at Cairo. One person picked up their set of 5 wines first, and 2 of the wines were terrible. When I went to pick up my Groupon, I asked if there was any way to substitute other wines for the ones that were completely unpalatable, but the DCwineguy refused to make any accommodations. In a store full of wine, it seemed unbelievable that there was absolutely nothing I could get instead. It wasn't a matter of personal taste, these wines weren't even good enough for cooking. This is the first and last time I will go to Cairo. Bad customer service!

I was here on 5/12/12 to redeem my living social deal, and my first thought was "Damn, this place is cramped"! But after looking at the wine selections, I soon realized that I will be back. The selection was quite extensive (surprisingly),and the staff was so friendly and helpful. when I come back to Dupont Circle, I WILL definitely come back to Cairo. Plus, customers have the option on ordering wines and having it delivered. Decent prices and great selections are always a winner!!!!

I've been going here for years.....you won't get a better store for service in the industry.Howie, the owner knows wines(HE KNOWS).....the employees are the best I've dealt with.If he doesn't have it, he'll try like mad to get it for you......This is the store to fill your needs!

Are you joking? Cairo is an institution. Tourist attractions like Ben's chili bowl should bow down to real DC like Cairo. Cairo is everything you want in a liquor store even if you do not know you want it. The prices are exceptionally reasonable. You will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is pure barbershop comedy. I suppose they also deal with a lot of snooty self absorbed people. Do not be "that guy" and they multiply the fun of your experience. If you act like a jerk, they treat you like a jerk. Hating Cairo reviles an internal self loathing.

Employees here don't care about the customer and are really rude. I've had bad experiences here several times. One of those bad experiences: Online it says open until 9pm. On the door it says open until 8:55pm everyday. I arrived exactly at 8:55pm. They already had the closed sign set. They wouldn't open the door and were uninterested in anything I had to say. Terrible. I will not come here again.

Cairo is the best place to go for all your event beverage needs. Part of my job is organizing events and Cairo makes our beverage purchases a breeze. They are very knowledgeable about what and how much you may need per event, have responded to my last minute requests for very specific items and to top it off, very quick to respond via phone or email. They will provide as much as you need: beer, wine, spirits, mixers, water, soda etc. with a smile and professional manner. On the personal side, I am into specialty liquors and cocktails, so sometimes it takes a while to find the right store with the exact brand. Cairo typically has what I am looking for and when they don't, they will place an order for you and will call you when it has arrived. Simply put, they are the best.

Excellent. It's pure comedy in this place, shelves are always well stocked and the guy behind the counter can tell when I've had a manicure (literally). I legit got a compliment. The prices are reasonable, the fact they stay open til 9:55 cracks me up and it's right next to safeway. Super convenient. Super friendly. A dupont staple.

I began going here because of its location, but I remained going there because of the employees! AMAZING SERVICE and SUPER FRIENDLY! Love this place! The prices are great too! Best in DC!

At Cairo, you'll find friendly service and an excellent selection of beer & wine packed into a small space. This is definitely on my list of favorite neighborhood shops when I am in the area!

Cairo is truly one of those divey places, but it's history and ambience sort of make up for it as a solid shopping experience. The building is old, a little word down, small, kind of hot in the summer (there used to be NO ac in this place, but they have fixed that a bit since), and a throwback to another era. The spirits are sort of quickly labelled for pricing, but are about the going rate in the area. Some of the items also sit high on some of the tall shelves out of reach. Selection though is quite good, with this store mostly focused on wine and spirits, with a small shelf and a cooler for beers. The staff here is a trip. I swear they probably all grew up in this store or neighborhood and have never worked anywhere else. Some of the comments you have already read are probably true, cause I've seen and heard the dialogue that comes out from the staff. They are all hillarious and great by the way, help you with anything, order something special, keep an eye out for you for product you might be interested in. I went up to who I think is the owner, and he did manage to procure me something eventually, but in the meantime he gave me his card and wrote a 10% discount with next purchase on the back. I went in a many days later after it expired for some beers and gave the card noting that I forgot to use it sooner. The guy looked at it, and jokingly said... pfft you can come in and use that card anytime ya dang want! We both laughed. But no I haven't used the card since :) That being said the beer selection is a two edged sword. The stuff in the coolers is fine, the items on the shelves though believe me have been sitting. When I mean sitting, they have been sitting a LONG time, they truly gather dust. This is bad, for when you want fresh beer, but the flipside is the beers that age well, will still be around. I have found some real aged gems in this store because many beer geeks don't know about it, or would even consider shopping here. Also the beer selection is small. That being said, it's worth a peak for sure, and I always make a stop in when I can.

I kind of miss the Cairo. I can echo the reviews that I really like the staff here, they have a surly comedy to them that rings genuine. Their prices are a bit higher than other places in the neighborhood but for convenience, and right on 17th St., it makes sense. They also have no reason to lower prices since the place is always hopping. It's not usually my first choice but was when I lived closer in Dupont. Still worth a visit after Safeway across the street.

Been here several times and each time experienced some form of sexism from the employees behind the counter. Will be taking my business elsewhere.

Five plus stars for friendly free-of-charge delivery of booze! Order online or just phone them up.

Discovered Cairo after an awesome groupon offer for wine. Since then it has become my go-to for booze. They have a great selection of beer & wine and I find their prices to be consistently lower than other stores in the area. Customer service is great and I have even used their delivery service once, which was awesome. Highly recommended.

I just ordered and picked up liquor and mixers from Cairo wine and liquor. They could not have been nicer from the moment I placed the order to the moment I arrived at their store. They were kind enough to work with me on my timing and even deliver if you need it. I highly recommend the dcwineguy for whenever you are purchasing large quantities ( or small).

Only one experience with them so far (delivery). I like I can find mostly whatever I want or like to drink even things hard to find in most of the D.C. area. I'm referring to Rain Organics Vodka (I wish they had the other available flavors). I wish they had the other flavors of Ciroc and Bailey's.The delivered next day giving me a courtesy call beforehand to make sure i'd be home when they attempted to deliver and the delivery guy was super nice as well. They'll definitely get some business from me again. :) Dropping the $50 minimum to like 40 would be great but I can live with it lol since this is coming from someone that doesn't drink in-home that much. I would say range is between $ and $$ on most of the items I looked at online.

This Win & Liquor store is amazing! They were the only ones in DC that had the wine that I needed delivered. They were shy one bottle and were able to get the 10th one to me as soon as possible. They are also the cheapest in the city and take care of everything. A few hours after I placed the order I realized I needed the beer to be cold on delivery and he said it was taken care of! They are truly the best, please check them out!

I hosted a party recently and had a delivery from here for the first time. The service was awesome and so was the wine. I definitely recommend you try this place.

the fellas here are so charming, they charmed my mother on her most recent visit to the d of c. she bought two lotto tickets, promising that if she won millions, she wouldn't forget her cairo buddies. unfortunately, she didn't strike it rich with those tickets, but you can bet on striking it rich here in the booze department. it's still amazing to me, the sheer amount of alcohol they can squeeze into this place. i mostly come here for beer, as they meet my snobbery needs and are oftentimes cheaper (and more expansive!) than the whole foods in my backyard. however, for entertaining in the abode, you can find wine and liquor as affordable or as laughably expensive as you'd like. i really appreciate the fact that the customer is taken care of and made comfortable no matter what. if i ask for a beer that isn't out, they'll check in back even if they're already certain they've sold out of it. expect a cordial hello, great customer service, and laughs until you're out the door, keeping you in smiles for the rest of the day.

Cairo is our go-to place for booze. The prices are very competitive for this neighborhood, and the service alone is worth it - a true asset to the neighborhood with just the right feel.