Crown Liquors has a great selection and a very convenient location in Montclair, which makes this review disappointing to write. On a recent visit, the clerk accidentally dropped the bottle of wine I was purchasing. When I calmly asked for a replacement, the interaction became tense and argumentative instead of being resolved quickly. What should have been a simple correction escalated in a way that left me uncomfortable. Mistakes happen and bottles get dropped, so it should have been a non-issue. Just give me a replacement and the situation is resolved. Because of that experience, I won't be returning. It's a shame because it's a nice store, but customer service is important to me, and this one didn't sit well with me. read more

Hi, I am renting an Airbnb with my wife in the Monclaire village. I stopped in to this liquor store to buy cigarettes. My phone, which holds my wallet in Apple pay, must have fallen bc it no longer works to tap to pay. Wanting a cig with our cappuccinos, she waited at the cafe. Arriving, I found that I had left my cash with her. Carrying, as I was, my art supplies in a leather rucksack and MacBook Pro in its case, we were headed to work on art in the city. When my wife came down with me to this liquor store, the clerk, up this point, very nice, rang us up. 13 and change. I presented the 13 and looked through my wife's purse for the change. It was at this point that the clerk took things to a rude and strange place. He said, " Why don't you take this outside." There was no one behind us in line beyond a gentleman who, dog at his side, warned, "He bites, I'll wait outside." I said just a moment, we almost have it. He said derisively "take it outside, carrying around everything you own." "Excuse me," I said, "we are paying a lot of money for a place up there," pointing to the hills. He ignored me and continued insulting my wife saying, "good luck out there" she said, "you too," to which he said directly, "unlike yall I have a place, good luck on the streets." I just want to say, we were dressed not in formal wear (lol) but in designer clothes, Rick Owen's shoes and jacket, Raf Simon's shirt, Casablanca sweatshirt, Yamamoto jacket. But if we weren't, we didn't need to be treated with such disrespect from a shopkeeper in what we knew could be a bourgeoisie village, confirming our suspicions. Instead of giving out money to the shops around here, we will take out business elsewhere. 2 stars instead of the 1 because they did have the cigarettes we wanted. read more

Crown Liquors - Judgemental Liquor Store - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

I just talked with the owner, an he said you get a FREE 10 pound bag of ICE when you buy liquor! Amazing! I believe that Crown Liquors is the only liquor store in Montclair and I understand that it has been there for a long time. You can also buy liquor at Luckys and Safeway, but there are more choices here. I understand there is also a wine bar $$$. A month ago, a friend wanted to get some alcohol before coming to my house. She asked me what I wanted, and I told her hard Kombucha. I called around, and found that Crown Liquors had a small case of 6 hard Kombucha. It was reasonably priced. So, my friend went there and was pleased with her purchase. A few days ago, I decided I wanted some more hard Kombucha. I just happened to be in Montclair, and went into Crown Liquors. I was greeted by a man asking how he could help. I told him I was looking for hard Kombucha. He walked me back to where it was located. With tax and all it was a little over $16 for a 6 pack--not bad for 2021. read more

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I was told Crown Liquors would have was I was looking for, a rather specific beverage. They did have it. The clerk was incredibly rude, very hostile and I felt threatened. I will never, ever go here again. Go at your own risk, there are plenty of other options, for example Eddie's on College, they have always been accommodating and helpful. read more

Amazing store with a great owner. Honest pricing with hard to find bottles. Definitely worth stopping by on my way in/out of the Bay Area

The selection and prices here are generally reasonable. However the staff is incredibly hostile and rude. I would never suggest shopping at this store. read more

from Frank: "I assure you that all of us at Crown are always wearing our masks and properly sanitizing during business hours. Thank You and have a lovely day." BUT YOU SIR ARE A LIAR. If you always wore your masks, I would not have needed to write this review. I was willing to let you all off after one incident, BUT NOT AFTER EVERY FREAKING TIME I GO TO YOUR STORE. Never ever saw hand sanitizer or saw any employees even pretend to sanitize anything in the store. No longer a customer, and won't ever be again. Thank You, and help people have a lovely day by not exposing them to COVID. read more

made the mistake of purchasing wine here even though all the bottles are covered in dust and sure enough it tasted like it had gone bad

if you want top notch service from a liquor store selling the best wine with the most resonable prices in the area, i suggest you swing by crown wine and spirits. The people who work there are real friendly and if you purchase anything beer, alchohol or wine related they give you free ice. NO CHARGE!!!!!!. i love the selection of six packs and 24 oz. bottles of beer that crown has. And if you dont like rude employees who work at other stores, you will love the kind gentelmen who work at cown read more

Many customers do not use masks. Delivery people do not use masks. People hanging around without masks. Staff use masks only when you walk up to them. I recommend patronage only in the early hours. read more

As I am seeing from many others. I parked to get my pizza from Cybelle's and then my intention was to get beverages from the Crown Liquor. But due to harassment of me parking my car there to grab my pizza and then return to purchase I moved my car and will no longer be shopping there. I recommend that others due the same. It's extremely worrying that someone would be so upset and not trust you over a parking space. Mind you the sign said a 10min wait for either store for parking, I would have fit in that criteria, but not after I was barked at for parking there. With the intentions to provide them my business. DO NOT SHOP HERE AT ALL! Rude, aggressive and large man with racist undertones. read more

Crown liquors carries only wines, soft drinks, and beers. large selection of mainstream and microbrews .big bottles too. all items priced. pour: moylans orange & black congrats ale (22 oz, 6%, 5.99 + =6.27) -mellow brew, not much buzz, slight hint of orange and chocolate 3 stars -brew wasn't totally cold. on draught: -guys greet you when you entered -parking lot available in parking derprived montclair. -wide aisles, china bulls and pandas will have no problems in this bottle shop. read more

Great selection and convenient location. The only downside I would say is when people who aren't shopping at the liquor store park in their lot to run errands elsewhere in Montclair. Takes up the small number of spots available to actual customers. And apparently they get super offended what you call them out. The staff has always been super courteous with me! read more

Super disappointed in their selection of stout beers. They had one - a Sierra Nevada Stout. Ugh. I went in a few months ago and they had a Highwater Campfire Stout which I like to call my everyday stout because it's nice and smooth and somewhat light but very flavorful. With Lagunitas and Drake's doing terrific stouts (not to mention a hundred others), why not carry these fairly local brews? I swear that Lucky's has more than Crown....but I'd certainly rather go to Crown, if they would improve their selection. read more

Just had a really sad and awful experience at Crown that had nothing to do with their parking lot. My wife and I have been to this store many times over the years and now more than ever we wanted to support local businesses. Our bill seemed about forty dollars too high. When I asked the clerk to review the charges he got flustered and made a comment that other people earlier that day had complained of being overcharged. I did not suggest or suspect that he did anything intentionally wrong; I figured it was a simple typing mistake. He reviewed the prices he rang in on his register quickly but not the quantity. We used our calculator and still had a forty-dollar discrepancy. When I asked if I could please see the itemized receipt the clerk suddenly got rude and said: "I am just gonna give you a refund. I don't have time for this" and took the box of bottles back. His partner was just as rude and chimed in as well: "Just go. Take your money and go. We don't need your business." These guys were rude and disrespectful. I have been in the service industry for almost thirty years. Dealing with an overcharge is always unfortunate but usually not that difficult to fix. Not sure what their problem is. I have seen similar reviews calling out the rude and disrespectful behavior of some of the clerks over the past couple of years. Does the owner really condone this kind of behavior from his employees? Does he not care that his employees can't be bothered to rectify a $40 discrepancy and are actively chasing a $145 sale out the door? How many times a day or week does this happen? We will not be going back and we will be warning our friends and neighbors to do the same. Why should anyone take a chance on this place? read more

I've been to Crown 20+ times. Easy location. Great parking. Good selection. Good price point. I've seen 3 guys working the check out line. Two are super helpful and friendly. One, an older gentleman with a Marines style buzzcut has been rude to me. Every time he's helped me. I thought maybe it was a one off experience. It was not. Here's the kicker, I was talking to a colleague about this place (positive convo) and he brought up bad customer service, by the same guy. Who knows the real reason for his subpar treatment of me. Who knows why my colleague's experiences were similar to mine. What I do know, is that I've witnessed this guy be perfectly pleasant to a number of other patrons. There's a pattern. It's disappointing. read more

We're new to the area, so we don't know ... well, anything. Everything is new, and everything takes four times longer than it should. Momma needed a crisp G&T. I walked in, found everything I was looking for, including a special bitters I haven't been able to find anywhere else, and all in about five seconds. As I was checking out the guy offered "you need ice? it's free with a liquor purchase." super nice but no room for it in my freezer. I said, "now, if you only had fresh limes." He points at a bowl full on the counter and says, "take what you need, on the house and welcome to the neighborhood." Found my local liquor store. Check! read more

Parked here to run an errand, busy day but when worker came out around the corner to tell me not to park there I cheerfully offered to buy something and he said no. I would likely have used this location or cleaner as it is a part of my new routine area, but as I told him I will probably never shop there. I walked by several times and there were several spaces, so I guess not ao busy. I would have spent lots there maybe just snacks but oh well. I could uae a new cleaner maybe too. read more

Do not go to this liquor store. The FAT guy at the cash register was a complete asshole to me tonight because I parked not between the lines and gave me an ear fool. I said I was sorry and did not intentionally park that way but the apology didn't matter. He checked me out very quickly and banged my bottles together and wanted me out of there. I have been going there for years but will never step in there again. The owner of this store needs to teach their employees good manners and good customer service. Say la vie to Crown Liquors! read more

Wow, these are some of the lamest 1 star reviews ever. They only have a couple parking spots for their patrons and their business is dependent upon the convenience of being able to pull up quickly and easily for a parking space and a quick transaction. That's the first reason I go there. I can't believe people complain about a gruff response to them doing something illegal that negatively impacts someone's business. I am glad they weren't there when I was there to make a purchase. read more

They had a good selection of champagnes, which is what I came here for after realizing Lucky is *not* where it's at. Ended up leaving with a bottle of Dom. They take Amex and were super friendly. Not a huge fan of the brown handleless paper bag for my $200+ bottle of champagne but I am grateful for the selection of champagnes at all so whatevs. read more

Crown Liquors - Dom Perignon available behind the counter - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

Local Mom & Pop shop for Beer Wine & Spirits. I am 3rd generation Montclair native and Crown has been here since Montclair Village was still a little village that no one really knew about. John and Little John have always been there for their local community and a great local family. Most importantly their staff is always helpful and courteous. Crown is a great spot to swing by when you need to bring a nice bottle to a dinner with friends or a six pack for an A's game tail gate party. They know their wine and always have new and exciting wines on hand that are not the run of the mill found at the supermarket. Support LOCAL and don't be disappointed. read more

Tiny liquor store in the Montclair Village with a really large neon sign outside of the premises. A late night beer purchase from here was a good transaction, particularly made great with it's fun-sized small parking lot in front. read more

I normally don't do this, but the owner is not nice. I have never been here as a customer, and now will never go here as a customer. He came out of his store to yell at me for no real reason. I've heard he is not nice, and now I know firsthand. read more

Went in to get some Crabbies Ginger Beer-- The clerk was on his phone & didn't even acknowledge me--I couldn't find it so I went to the counter & asked if they had it? His reply was yes it's over there--He didn't point, didn't direct, didn't look up from his phone or try to help me--I walked around the store looking by myself with no luck--I asked him--Where did you mean? Over there? I'm not finding it? Told me it must not be there--But where is there? He never moved an inch to help me--Today my favorite liquor store which me & my spouse frequent multiple times a week just lost a customer for good--It was the rudest behavior with no effort to assist--I can only guess that they don't need to make a sale or believe in customer service--Really a shame--As an owner of a gift store right across the street I would fire any of my employees who treated a customer this way--Really, really disappointed! read more

Crown Liquors is our go-to store for wine and other libations. They've got a pretty decent selection, although I wish they would feature some more Pinot Grigios. The guys who work there are great and always have a joke and a smile for their customers. Factor in the parking lot, and you've got 5 stars! read more

Crown Liquors is a neighborhood staple, as I have been going here since I was a little tot (I didn't buy booze back then, mainly soda or baseball cards). They have a great selection of Wine and Beer, and a standard selection of the hard stuff. The staff here is great,as they have been family run business for many years. read more

Yesterday evening I parked my car in a shared parking lot in order to grab some food I ordered across the street as street parking has changed in the area due to outdoor seating adjacent to this location. After parking for 5 mins I came back to my car with food and my 9 yr old daughter. As I helped my daughter into the car and opened my door a short stocky man with greyish hair came out and began to yell and told me to move my f***kin car and told me if I didn't he would knock me out in front of my daughter. I obviously was blind sided by his aggressive demeanor and the way he tried to threatened me in front of my daughter. I understand he has a business to run and I in no way was interfering with that. From many other posts going back years it seems like this man has had previous verbal alterations. If this man in anyway is the owner or employee the city should look into this business. No one especially in front of a child should be treated this way. read more

I used to go here when I was younger to just get plain snacks. Now that I can, it's nice to come here to actually get what their namesake offers. They have a large selection, and your always able to find what you want in the size you want for a reasonable price. Good service and good prices make it a good place to buy any type of liquor needs. read more

Called to reserve 3 World Series newspapers. Saved, Picked up and was on my way. They have supported Montclair Elementary for years and they guys are so super helpful. Great local neighborhood establishment. read more

A great old school liquor store. The ballgame is on the AM radio and they have a great selection of beers and liquors. I'd give it five stars if they had a little better wine selection. This is one of the businesses that make Montclair the best commercial district in the East Bay. read more

This is the BEST place for a diverse selection of beers wines and liquor. The place is ran by father an son. Now the son John has primarily been running the show here the last 20 years. I have been friends with John for over 33 years. Great family an the best of friends. Best prices in town! John and his family continue to be great supporters of the community. read more

I have been going to Crown Liquor's for over 20 years and the staff and owners have always been accommodating. Tonight my wife parked in their parking lot for 5 minutes to pickup some food across the street and she was confronted by a large employee of Crown Liquor's who said she couldn't park there and he made inappropriate gestures to her. I will no longer support this local store! John, you need to hire people with better customer skills. I will no longer spend my money at your store ! read more

The guys that work here are great and the owner is super friendly and helpful. Good selection and decent prices. plus you can find high end champaign and alcahol here. read more

friendly helpful service, food selections. Can't imagine giving a bad yelp review because one time their clerk might have been grumpy. We all have grumpy days, and we all know that sometimes the owner needs a day off. read more

Crown liquors is the best liquor store in the Bay Area. their staff is courteous accommodating and always nice. They give free ice and limes with every purchase of alcohol, who does that ? Nobody !! Parking n Montclair is not easy. Crown liquors has one of the few parking lots in all of Montclair so you best believe that everybody wants to park there and go run an errand, drop something off down the street or pick up food. if the employees at Crown liquors are not vigilant about who is parking in their lot, the lot would be full of people who are not shopping there. I appreciate that when I arrive at Crown, there is always a spot for me a paying customer. If you read all the negative and demeaning reviews, you will see that they are all about the parking. And people who want to use the lot for other purposes. For the record after a purchase if I ask to pick up a pizza or run a quick errand they always accommodate me. By the way fat shaming is so last decade. We are above that in the bay. read more

These guys are the best. Johnny and his pops have been taking care of the community for the 20 years I've been in Montclair. Did a I mention they carry Crown Royal read more

these cats got everything you need. i appreciate the fact that this spot has not changed in 15 years i have been coming here.

They have what you need, friendly service, been in Montclair for what... 50 years? They donate all the ice you can carry to local elementary and Cub Scout organizations... great local business with prices that rival the grocery. read more

This is a great local business run by an interesting, kind and thoughtful owner and a great staff. They are unfailingly courteous and helpful, and always offer a free bag of ice! It's nice to have you in the neighborhood guys! read more