North Loop Wine & Spirits

Been stopping in for a couple years now as I've lived right in the north loop. I just popped in to pick up a few bottles of wine and the owner (she self identified) overheard a conversation I was having and decided to involve herself with typical fox news talking points of "the illegals are taking the healthcare" and "rampant fraud needs to be managed." Truly a disappointment as I loved their offerings but I, and you, shouldn't support racism, bigotry and ignorance. There are other stores locally to shop. I feel bad for the employees who are just trying to make a living and you can bet they're all subject to her disgusting view. Oh well Edit: it appears the owner would like to flavor her subtle racism as simply being yelled at. The employee working the counter and I were talking about imperial porters/stouts and surly came up. We were talking about them when you interjected. It's fine if you want to blame healthcare cost woes on "the illegals" as you put it but it's telling of how you approach others. Also, I'm 41 and Mexican but it makes sense you'd judge based on appearance.

Ugh, So I came here during my lunch break because it was close to work and I wanted to get a nice peaty/smokey scotch for after a long day when I got off... An older gentleman asked if I needed help and I informed him I was looking for the scotch aisle, he politely told me around this corner and a fellow associate (forget his name) could help me. I let said associate know what I was looking for in flavor and notes of the scotch and I had a particular I was hoping they had Smoke Season by Benriach, they didn't have it but I was shown another scotch a little more expensive he recommended. I decided to give it a go and buy the recommendation of said associate. 84 dollars later while walking out I hear the older gentleman ask the man who helped me "how did that go?" In a very snide condescending way....I get it, I'm a white blue collar tattooed man buying scotch who had a particular taste in mind. I was in no way rude,or impolite or otherwise and even took the recommendation of the associate. I couldn't imagine treating a customer like this in any business. The tone in that older guys voice...ugh. Though the recommendation was a nice one and I'm enjoying a glass at the moment, I think I'll wait till day after payday to go somewhere else to buy as I don't appreciate snide condescending remarks about me behind my back or otherwise.For the love of God, wait till im out the door. The younger gentleman who helped me deserves a raise just for being stuck on shift with that kind of toxic human being. 3 stars for the associate that helped me with a good peaty scotch recommendation.

My personal favorite liquor and beer store in Minneapolis. Friendly family owned vibes, great selection and good prices! Whats not to like ! Right in the city good location!

Great wine shop with nice non American selection. Service was very knowledgeable. Check out downstairs if you get the chance.

The owner was very nice and the staff was Super helpful. I definitely will go back.

Excellent selection of spirits, wine and beer! Service is always great and they often do sampling in store so you can try before you buy. Their expansion within the last 1-2 years really elevated the experience! Only thing is that it can be a little pricey on the wine side but they have plenty of price points available and only deliver high quality wines.

We love this place. The staff is super helpful and know their stuff. Great classes, wine tasting, they have parking. Even better great value.

The employees here are super friendly and like to have fun, smile and make customers feel like they’re you’re bestie lol love it

We've popped in here a couple of times now while visiting family in MPLS. This last time we came for 2 bottles and left with 7 or 8? They carry an eclectic and geeky selection. Not sure who does their curation but we weren't exactly looking for local (California) producers but once we realized they stocked some absurd and micro-producers we looked deeper. Producers such as Broc in Berkeley, Ashes & Diamonds in Napa, and Liocco in Healdsburg. Just stuff I never expected to see outside of the Bay Area. There was an older guy who dealt with our indecisiveness and senseless path around the shop and like any great advisor, found solutions where there was none apparent. They did not have the heavy stuff, at least I did not see, such as Screaming Eagle, Opus One (I did see a bottle of Overture), Silver Oak, etc but that stuff is plentiful elsewhere. They do stock highly comparable and arguable funner bottles such as Quintessa, and I forgot what else... Fun shop. Watch your step out front.

I keep coming back here both because of their extensive selection of wines and liquors and their friendly and knowledgeable staff. Every time I've gone in, I've been greeted and asked if I need any assistance. Sometimes I'm just browsing, but the times that I was looking for something specific (a nice bottle of rum as a gift, a caramel liquor for a hot cider bar, Big Salt wine) they've had the perfect thing and helped me stay within my budget. I love their selection of liqueurs - all kinds of local options too! My mom is a huge fan of Tattersall's Salty Dog and they have had it in stock whenever I've gone in to grab her a bottle. It is a very thoughtful, intentional store with an assortment of garnishes, gift supplies, and I'm pretty sure they have THC seltzers too.

Have you checked out North Loop Wine and Spirits yet? If not, you should. I went in just before Thanksgiving with some tough questions and pairing requests for elk and salmon. I spent time with Dave, and he was remarkably knowledgeable and patient as I asked questions about Amarone, Chateauanuf du Pape, and meaty and mineral white wines like Albariño. Dave was impressive and steered me to several vintners in the price point I requested. I left with a half case of great wine that paired beautifully with our special meal. I will be back for their weekly wine tasting and great service. Thank you NLW&S!

I think the last time I shopped in this establishment was over 7 years ago.... And now I remember why.. Not only are they rude but their misplaced arrogance as to what they think they know about their inventory is mind blowing.... You ask for a specific thing and at least two members of staff will misdirect you to the wrong part of the store And then when they finally get you where you want to be ... the mansplaining is breathtaking. If you're a wine novice or find this type of store intimidating.... Run! You'd be better off walking the extra block to Wholefoods frankly.

super friendly owner and always helpful to find the best drink for you. The ambiance is nice too.

Came in on a Friday night with a couple friends after eating at Red Cow to celebrate the end of a long week at a conference at the Hilton downtown (visiting from IA). The staff were incredibly friendly, we laughed and joked, and they gave some recommendations after I said I wanted to try a different Gin. Martin Miller's Gin ended up being divine! The staff and the ambiance made me not want to leave! If I lived in town, I would, with pleasure, be a frequent flyer. They have a huge selection, they deliver, have classes, tastings, and private events! Their website is also WELL done. When I come back to the twin cities, it'll be one of my first stops!

I'll never shop here again although, I've had many dealings with them in the past . It appears you only have to make a small error or two and your business is now longer welcome. We'll, I will save them the trouble. I thought I was a valued customer but they've shown me that was furthest from the truth.

North Loop Wine and Spirits boasts an incredible selection of booze, with lots of deep-dives into specialty spirits like Sotol, Armagnac, and amari. I scored a VERY special bourbon here as well, so def put it on your checklist if you're searching for that hard-to-find stuff. The wine selection is also killer and the staff is reliably knowledgeable and friendly.

Don't order delivery from this place. I order 3 times without issue. Delivery person calls I come to the lobby ID is checked, done But this last time my order did not get delivered though my card has been charged. When I called to get the issue sorted. I was told the wine was delivered and to take it up with the owner which there is no email or phone number for the owner. I am now having my apartment check security footage to prove that my order was not delivered to me. But will really have no course of action to take without being able to contact someone actually in charge.

Fridays they have a super cool wine tasting out back with different distributors. They're currently expanding and have a great selection. It's a bit expensive, but their staff is knowledgeable, so it's worth it.

I used to love coming here as it is one of the cutest and homey liquor stores I have ever been to. The employees are always amazing and so helpful, however the lady who runs it or is the manager or something is one of the worst managers/bosses I have ever seen. I came in mid day on a Friday, not busy whatsoever. She begins yelling, basically screaming, at her employees. And they are THE NICEST employees, I have had many great encounters with them! She made it awkward by yelling "there's a customer here you need to be helping them" when I was clearly browsing at leisure. She then went on to yell more things at them that was extremely unnecessary and very unprofessional. She is a horrible horrible boss and i dont know how she has any employee retention. I hope these employees know they would be much more valued elsewhere, I can't even fathom working for someone like her. I use to come here every time I needed wine or seltzers and now I will never go back. I will never support a small business with such horrible management like that and blatant disrespect for their employees. I also read through the other reviews and I unfortunately it looks like I am not the only one who encountered her horrible management. Whoever that lady is, you need an attitude check! And figure your shit out. Unreal.

I was in town for a couple of days earlier this week and wanted to track down local, Minnesota distilled spirits and I was not let down. This was a great shop and was promptly welcomed and offered assistance. After I told him what I was looking for he gave me recommendations and was candid about which products he was familiar with and which he was not. Another gentleman there was able to provide even more suggestions and recommendations for products I was unfamiliar with. I had a good conversation about the spirits business in Minnesota--he was very knowledgeable. The prices for all the products I looked at seemed very reasonable and maybe only a dollar higher than other stores I visited (e.g. Whole Foods). I went twice and was recognized the second time. While the store had a good spirits selection it had an even more abundant beer and wine selection. It was clean, bright, and well laid out. I'll plan on popping back in next time I'm in town, too.

I have tried (so much) over the past 2 years to like this place. I live near by and like the convenience and truly embrace supporting locally owned and run businesses. Unfortunately, I've had experience after experience (after experience) that has left me leaving North Loop Wine disappointed and vowing never to return. In a nutshell, I feel as though I'm bothering them by giving them my business. It's so strange, but most of the employees (especially the older gentleman), seem annoyed by any questions. As if that wasn't enough, their prices are the most expensive in town. Having said that, they do have a broad wine selection. Their beer selection is limited, at best. Overall, I'm disappointed and sadly have far better experiences down the street at Whole Foods.

I came here when it first opened and after normally skipping by to Syrdyks, I stopped in because I was going to an event that required a specific Champagne brand. To my surprise, they had a great selection of high end wines on sale buy one get one 50% off (so check their website for sales). Also, a beer tasting. And, the champagne I was looking for. Shawn's tip: free parking in the rear for the store, although I'm not clear if they get those spaces all day as there were temporary signs indicating you could park there at the time.

One of the many things that I like about Sam's is that it really is a shop. It's pretty small. They have a lot of wine, but every bottle is picked by the staff for a reason and they all know those reasons are. The old North Loop building is helpful, but the warm and welcoming feeling is also the doing of the layout and the staff. I love to browse around if I need to pick up wine for dinner, but Sam and company are also wonderful resources. Call them up and tell them you want a mixed case of red wine that costs $120 with a focus on Spain. Come in the next day, and you're drinking pretty! They even deliver, but I recommend going into the shop because it's such a nice feeling to be in there. I also really like going when I've got a specific menu planned. I love wine, but I've never given a lot of thought to wine and food pairing, in part because people's palates vary widely and it's tough to find a balance between what people just like to drink and what complements the food. But the staff at Sam's seems to love the challenge of finding the perfect wine for apple crisp, or quiche lorraine, or pizza. I really appreciate the time they take with my questions. The website is a little bit confusing, so call if you have questions or want to know about a certain wine. If you can remember, check out their wine tastings. First Wednesday of each month. 5-8pm, but go early if you can - it gets crowded in there! Last one I went to, they were tasting about twenty wines, most of which were new to the store. Park in the adjacent lot.

Poor customer service. Called in inquiring about Bourbons. I was told to email the manager. A week later I didn't hear back. I called back and politely stated I haven't heard back from the manager, and what do you know, it was the manager. She was very rude on the phone and hung up. Never buying from here again.

We have been trying to support small and local establishments during COVID (and always). We have been to North Loop liquors, they have a fun wine selection and it's close to home. However, I have had more than one experience where the owner is not only rude to customers but SO incredible rude to her employees. Screaming, yelling, and swearing while there are customers present. This happened last week and It was so hard to watch, all the employees seemed scared and uncomfortable. I will continue to shop local but it will not be here, unfortunately. Hoping those employees know they can be valued elsewhere!

Although North Loop Wine + Spirits sells a variety of alcohol, they're a bit dry on the suds that's wildly popular in these parts known as craft beer. They advertise a "mix your own 6 pack for $9.99" option on their website, and claim to carry over 300 beers (with many of them being seasonal hard to find brews). I was a bit disappointed in the selection, especially among the mix-your-own options. I was looking for 2 seasonal wet hop beers in particular: Surly Wet and Mankato's Fresh Hop IPA, and they only had the latter. I was interested in getting a variety of singles to try out some new brews as well, but I wasn't able to find more than one that either sounded good or that I hadn't had before, so I simply grabbed the Mankato 4-pack and headed off to another liquor store that had a greater variety. They do seem to have quite their fair share of wine, so perhaps if you're in the market for booze of the grape variety, they might have ya covered. One thing they definitely have going for them is the fact that they host complimentary beer tastings every Tuesday from 4-8pm, and they post their weekly selections on their social media. Likewise, they do wine tastings Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8pm.

I used to love this store - great choices in a great neighborhood. However, the woman that runs it is one of the rudest people I have encountered. I have been there twice in the last 2 weeks and both times she was nothing short of dismissive and unwelcoming. Seriously should think about getting out of the business is she can't embrace customer service.

WARNING READ THIS: I was just in the store and an older short red headed woman working the counter was exceptionally rude to me. I asked her to wear gloves and not to touch my bottle of wine and she didn't care. In about two weeks this is going to become a huge concern as we hit our #COVID19 peak. Either way I'm done. These people are not focused on the customer.

Gorgeous warehouse district space--and the cave it's pretty stellar as well. I wish I owned and lived in the entire building. Maybe in my next life. But let's talk about product--for such a small space they certainly pack in the best of the best for every budget. I haven't called in advance like Sarah J, but now I know who to call for that next "themed" dinner I'm attending or hosting. This would be a great place to put together a wine sampler as a Christmas gift--now that I think about it, I've just figured out what I'm getting my in-laws--and it's not even September! Thanks Sam!

i have never actually been into the shop, but I was at an event lastnight where sam supplied the wine, and let me tell you! It was awesome. Sam was there too, and he knows a lot about wine. The wine ran out in fact and when asked what should be purchased from a nearby chain wine shop he said "Oh, you won't find any of these there...." So two ingredients of a great wine shop: Great wine and a knowing owner. Sam's has it covered. Now to make the actual trip to the shop!

Upon walking into this classy establishment I immediately felt at home. The welcoming staff and the vast selection of my favorite things brightened my whole day. From white claws to fireball... let me tell ya this store has it all. If you are ever in need of a little pick me up or just a casual Saturday morning handle of Tito's at 11 a.m. make sure you stop by North Loop Wine & Spirits.

It's a toss up whether this liquor store or South Lyndale Liquors is my favorite. I'm leaning towards North Loop. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They are always ready with recommendations and always make great ones. Once, they had run out of boxes and I was, as usual, buying more bottles than I had intended, so they gave me one of their reusable wine bags for free so I wouldn't have to use a paper one for that many bottles. They also have excellent sales. North Loop has tastings pretty often and have introduced me to some of my favorite wines. And, unlike some places with tastings, they are pretty generous with their pours. It's not often I go into a liquor store to buy a bottle of wine and leave feeling very tipsy. The wine selection is very varied, with a wide range of styles and prices. The beer selection is lacking a little, but that isn't why you go here. It's the wine.

Sam's Wine Shop - Open! The shopkeepers are incredibly friendly, resourceful, and knowledgeable about wine. It's just a few blocks from my house and they offer a wide selection of all types of wine, at reasonable ($10) to fancy ($50+ for me) prices. They're not snooty about low price ranges too - if I say I'm looking for a bottle around $20, they show me bottles around $20 without judgment. With its reopening, they now offer a wider beer and liquor selection than before, which caters to the neighborhood a bit more. I don't buy much wine, but I love supporting my 'hood's businesses, so I lamented going to Surdyk's for all my Grey Goosey needs (though Surdyk's is also great). And if you don't live in the hood, or are on your way out of town, Sam's has free parking. Score! Overall, I'm a fan. Thanks for reopening, Sam's!

If you have not stopped in at NLW&S you are missing out. The knowledge of the staff is unparalleled to any other shop in mpls.... looking for a great beer to pair with random dinner items, they will know the perfect one...want an idea on what sparkling wine should accompany your next meal, they can help you with that too and the wine selection is amazing and really hand selected by the team there, which is why they know everything inside and out. Also they do tastings every Thurs (beer) Friday (wine) and Sat (wine) and really are just looking for ways to help people expand their palettes! Oh and they also carry all liquor plus the necessary essentials (lemons, limes, bitters, mixers, etc.) I am not sure how they fit it all into that little space but it works!

Want to learn more about wine? stop in at Sam's for one of their free tastings (first Wednesday of the month), or converse with a knowledgeable staff member - they *all* know their stuff. Sam's offers good value on many lesser-known (but delicious!) wines. The pricier offerings are reasonable as well, and Sam's has great sales. Each sale is preceded by a tasting, too. Airy space, simple rack design, and swell owners.

it's a smaller shop but it get a full 5 stars for still having cans of indeed Rum King when I couldn't find it anywhere else.

This is one of the nicest liquor stores I've been to in Minneapolis. And lucky for me, it's only a couple blocks away from my place. Methinks they do tastings a lot, because every time I've stopped in, I've drank something. The staff is really friendly & super helpful. I don't think they sell wines such as Barefoot, which I'm 50/50 on; half of me is happy since it forces me to try a nice bottle, the other half of me just wants to get crunk for $4. With that being said, I can easily find a good bottle for under $12. Not bad at all. This is a nice shop to have in the neighborhood & a great alternative to overcrowded, hectic liquor stores.

Great shop and knowledgable staff! Did you know they have a cellar for renting out for events!? What an awesome space with wonderful lighting, big barels, endless wines and nicely set tables. The staff are hilarious, and offer to teach you all about their various wine offerings. If I know anyone with an upcoming event worth celebrating with 20-40 people, I won't hesitate to tell them about the cellar here!

I have lived in North Loop for the past three years and this store *was* my go to. Convenient location, good selection, fair prices for the area, treats for my dog. But I'm willing to let all of that go because of my most recent experience. I would expect all customers to be treated with respect, especially by the owner. I purchased a bottle of wine, but needed to return it a few days later. I originally came in to buy a bottle of wine that would be Kosher for Passover. The selection was limited and, unfortunately, both of the red options had torn/rubbed off bottle labels. I mentioned this to the cashier who informed the owner (shorter brunette, 50s) and she came over to take a look. She seemed frustrated and rushed, but helped me pick out the least "damaged" label and I went over to pay. I mentioned that perhaps I may have my husband check elsewhere but that this will do for now, as we are gifting the wine to a friend. Fast forward a few days and I come back to the store to return the bottle I had purchased. It was unopened and still in the brown bag as my husband did end up checking another store for a more presentable option. I had returned wine here once before (it was corked) and I didn't think it would be an issue, considering the original label damage. The young woman at the register was very friendly and said she would have to check with her manager and went upstairs. She came back in a few minutes and said, "I'm sorry but we cannot accept the wine. I understand that it's unopened, but we don't know what conditions it was stored in, etc." I told her that I brought it home and it was on my counter for a few days. I also mentioned the issue with the label and that I would really appreciate a refund, but that if it's not possible, then a credit to the store is just fine as I would use it anyways. The woman nodded and went back upstairs to check. At that moment, I was SHOCKED at what I heard next. There was another customer that had walked into the store a few minutes earlier and he was in shock as well. The same owner started SHOUTING from upstairs, something along the lines of - "Fine, WHATEVER just RETURN it! I DON'T CARE! JUST GIVE IT TO HER!" The cashier came back downstairs with wide eyes and said, "Okay, I will accept the return and refund you." She seemed a bit nervous, but remained calm as I expressed my dismay over the owner's remarks. I calmly told her that I have been a frequent customer for several years and that I never experienced such treatment at a local shop. She apologized and shook her head. Although, the cashier handled the situation fairly well, this should not have been a situation in the first place. I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed. I regret the money I have spent at this shop over the years. I refuse to support such a place with rude owners. I will not go back and do not recommend it.

This is probably one of the worst liquor stores. For a "boutique" store the staff are not knowledgeable of the product and compensate by having a diminutive attitude towards customers. High Prices, narrow selection, un-professional staff - Please lease the space to something more worthy.

Great selection of wine and beer. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable and the free tastings are awesome! Overall, a great liquor store that I'm stoked is just a couple blocks away. And, they deliver!

Wow! What a stellar selection!! Each time I visit this gem of a wine shop, I know I have to plan at LEAST a half hour so my curiosities can be answered by their knowledgable staff! If your looking for something fun, or FUNky, look for the tall guy to show you around!

My go-to-liquor store! Yes, I also live within a 15 minute walk from this place, but compared to Surdik, Sorello (which doesnt exist anymore), and to Zip, this place was perfect. It's small but has a nice selection of drinks. I normally go here for the nicely curated selection of beers from microbreweries. Of the cheap wine selection that I buy, I was pretty happy with all the ones that I've bought! This place also introduced me to Solveig gin, a really good gin by a Minnesota distillery which numerous bars in Minnesota and Wisconsin now carry. I love the beer and wine tastings that are held weekly. Every now and then, the owners take out some really nice stuff for tasting and that's worth stopping by!

I went in to North Loop wine and spirits in Feb of 2014. The place looks great and is in a very convenient location. My normal routine included checking the bourbon section and then on to the craft beers. I stop by in early March and notice that in the bourbon section someone has pinned the label of a hard to find bourbon on the shelf. As I checkout I inquire about said bourbon and am told that the store would be holding a raffle within the following two weeks and if would like to be entered I would have to provide my information. No problem. Shortly after I begin receiving newsletter emails from the store. I stop in a few weeks later and am told by the manager that the raffle wasn't done because something came up and that it would be held later that week. A few weeks later I stop in and the label is still pinned to the shelf and I'm told no raffle has taken place. This has gone on for 4 months and the label is still pinned to the shelf. I spoke with a few other people at another well known liquor stores raffle and most are extremely put off by this. Pinning up labels of hard to find items to gather peoples information strikes me as very tacky and poor business practice. The area has much better options near by.

Looooove this place! Amazing knowledge, great staff, super helpful and friendly. THEY ALLOW PETS! Enjoyed taking my dog in with me! Love the wine sampling as well! Additionally the gave me a free reusable wine bag. This is my new spot for wine and beer!

Sam's is now "North Loop Wine Shop", or something like that. Even bigger selection without comprimising the selection!! I am sooooo relieved to see that this wine shop is alive and doing well.

Incredible selection of everything you could imagine, plus they host really great classes on wine tasting, ports, etc. Check out their Turley collection. Only 6 cases a month make it to Minnesota and they get 2 of them. Turley 2007's were a vintage year and you won't be disappointed!

Great neighborhood shop! staff is great and helpful. and it seem they always have a tasting which makes shopping fun.

Seems like half the people that check you out are smart asses. They are also about $2 to $3 overpriced on most of there items.

This place is a gem! I met a group of fellow wine lovers at this hip warehouse district wine shop for a wine tasting a few weeks ago and had a blast. The wine selection was really great: loads of varieties at a wide range of prices. Plus the prices were pretty much right on! The staff was really helpful and the cellar tasting room was interesting. We even got a discount on the wines we were tasting that evening. The only downsides were that the place was a bit dusty (which is to be expected out of a wine shop) and the bathroom wasn't very private. So, at the end of the day, there really isn't anything bad to say about this fabulous little wine shop!

Great little wine shop with an admirable selection. Many bottles you won't find elsewhere. Unpretentious but knowledgeable. Doesn't have the super sales of some larger spots like Surdyk's, but they hold their own very well. Excellent selection of micro brews. Not many places can cater to the neophyte and the expert, but they do.