Byron's is my favorite liquor store of all time. Despite the "concern" threads, the security is a precaution and I've never had any issues there (although someone did try to sell me a car stereo in the parking lot once, LOL). Byron's is a real cross section; everyone of every social strata goes there. You know, the kind of place you would go to if you live in a real city. Leave wine shopping in posh environs to the 'burbs. I'll take Byron's fast, friendly service and socioeconomic diversity any day!
yeah, the social cross-section in/at Byron's is an eye-opener for many people..
Ever been to the sun(or is it conoco??) a mile or so south of Byron's? same situation.. guys in 3-piece suits buying gas and nachos with a *TON* of homeless hanging outside, 'specially in the early am/late pm hours..
when i'm bored at work and waiting on a compile later in the day, it's funny to go there for a Monster and watch the "suits" play homeless hopscotch
As a long time OKC resident who has shopped in many different liquor stores, I am excited about an upscale store in Automobile Alley. I agree that if you are going to buy a case of Corona, you want to go to someplace close and get the best price. I, however, like to linger over the beer selections and my wife does the same with the wine. It is much more enjoyable if the store is nice, the prices reasonable and the staff knowledgable. Cellars has this atmosphere and Broadway Wine Merchants sounds like an interesting place to go to learn about new wines also. If profit were the only motive for the owner of this new store, I am sure he would have not gone into such a competitive line of business.
I made my third trip into this store yesterday to pick up a good bottle of Champagne to celebrate a really special event. The blue jean, stocking cap wearing owner steered me away from the Dom Perignon '99 I was considering to a little less expensive bottle of La Grande Dame '96 that he enthusiastically claimed would blow my sox off; and said that if he was wrong, just bring back the empty for credit on another bottle of bubbly. It's always great to deal with the owner of any business . . . especially food and wine.
I tossed out doing a Bourbon tasting and that may be in the cards if there is enough interest. So, if you like smooth straight up single barrel or small batch Bourbons like some of the longer aged brands from Buffalo Trace or Van Winkle, shoot in an email to info@broadwaywine.com and maybe we can get something going.
Michael
Pray For World Peace . . . pass it on
The Old Downtown Guy
It will take decades for Oklahoma City's
downtown core to regain its lost gritty,
dynamic urban character, but it's exciting
to observe and participate in the transformation.
I live nearby in heritage hills and visit byrons on a weekly basis to stock up on the vino. I have also been to broadway wine merchants and can tell you that I will definitely be shopping at broadway more often. Even though byrons has security, at night when you're carrying out cases of wine to put into your vehicle I often don't feel totally secure. Plus, I feel as if byrons is a bit dirty and generally speaking their staff knows nothing about wine or spirits. I found the staff at broadway much more knowledgeable and pricing was nearly identical. Byrons is a great establishment but in my opinion, they would do a great deal to improve the neighborhood if they would no longer sell pints and half pints, and/or stop selling heaven hill, montezuma, mccormick, and kentucky deluxe.
i can't exactly claim that i'm a connoisseur of fine drink, but i went to broadway wine merchants several times between thanksgiving and christmas. every time i went, i found them to be extremely helpful and courteous... far more than any other liquor store i have been to. i was quite impressed with the level of service they offer. i'll definitely be going back... -M
Since I'm driving along Broadway often, IAO, Fashion cleaners, home and to work, I love being able to swing by and pick up some wine or beer. That being said, good service is the clincher in any business, and David, the proprietor is very nice. Also very accomodating, offering to order anything that wasn't already stocked. I wish him well and welcome him to the neighborhood!
My interests lie more in the single barrel scotch realm, but I'm always up for a good Bourbon as well. For some reason, bourbon just doesn't agree with me though.
In any event, email sent. I'm making my request for a more general 'whiskey' tasting though as there are fine beverages made which don't fit into either the 'Scotch' category or the 'Bourbon' category.
I love a good single malt scotch. I particularly enjoy islay and speyside varieties...the peat goes well with my pallet. I used to enjoy a good sipping whiskey, but not as much lately; although I do find the single barrel jack daniels very smooth (much better than knob creek and makers mark imo).
I agree that the two gentleman that were working when I came by Broadway Wine Merchants are very nice and accomodating. I couldn't find my favorite Pinot Noir the first time I came in. I told the owner, he ordered it right away and I bought two bottles a few days later. When I came in a couple weeks after, I asked them about it and now they keep it stocked all the time.
If you like peaty scotch, you must try Laphroaig, a great scotch from Islay.
It's one of my favorites (and a 10-year bottle won't set you back too much).
My favorite wintertime scotch though is The Balvenie Double Wood. IMHO, it's best enjoyed when you've got a fire going in the fireplace. Can't beat the faint aroma of burning wood in the air and Balvenie.
For my wedding (first marriage), my brother (best man and liquor store owner), bought me a bottle of 30 yr. Macallan. He and I enjoyed a glass and some genuine cohiba cubanos the night before the wedding (when he tried to convince me not to marry my ex-wife...man I shoulda listened to him). He was not a scotch drinker, in fact, it was only his third or fourth glass he had ever had (now he drinks it regularly). Long story short, somehow the bottle wound up at the reception after the wedding the next night and my ex-wife's 18 year old brother and his little bastard friends ended up swiping the bottle and mixing it with their coke out in the parking lot. I nearly wept when I found out.
I went to this store a few weeks ago and was impressed with two things. First, the store has a very clean look to it. When I say clean I do not mean sterile. Rather, it just looks very orderly and nicely layed out. Second, the person who greeted me and helped me out was very nice and made me really happy to buy something from him. I told him the occassion and he immediately found a wine that he thought I'd like. It was one of the more affordable ones. Anyway, my wife and I really enjoyed the wine and I plan on doing all of my wine\beer purchases from this store.
Check out Parkhill at 51st and S. Lewis
Parkhill Liquor & Wines - Home
There are several Pappy Van Winkle expressions, namely a 15, 20, and 23 year. All of them are fantastic. The Pappy 23 is getting very difficult to find, but the 20 year is in decent supply in and around OKC.
I'm a certified bourbon geek. I would love to get a tasting together; hell, I would even offer a few of my more rare finds for the event. Perhaps I should start a thread...
Back on topic, I like Broadway Wine Merchants. We have had excellent service every time we have been in, and I appreciate an attempt to create an upscale atmosphere.
--b
Got this email from DOKC today:
Craft Beer Tasting!
Visit Broadway Wine Merchants located at 824 N. Broadway Ave for a special Craft Beer Tasting, tonight Friday, February 20 from 6 - 8 pm (come and go) . The tasting will feature six different breweries pouring and door prizes to give out. Please print off this invitation and bring it with you for admission. This will be a night of some new brews along with some old favorites! For more information call 405-231-0031.
That's cool. Doing stuff like that is what sets them apart.
Don't Edmond My Downtown
My husband and I popped into the store tonight to check it out before I read this thread and were "invited" to the beer tasting. It was a lot of fun and of course we bought a few six packs afterwards. The tasting was on the second floor above the store. The space was quite interesting in itself as we walked up some very narrow stairs from the north side of the building. The spaces looked like they might make great lofts as they had the original wood floors and interesting architecture. I just was so glad we decided to go in and check it out and happen upon a free beer tasting. I just love serendipity, it seems some of the best times I've ever had in life were pleasant surprises.
There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)
Bookmarks