Garfield's is one of the BEST LIQUOR STORES that I have ever seen. By chance I moved to Crystal Lake from southern California about a year ago (what a fool, eh?) And Garfield's was just up the street - my closest liquor store other than a gas station. read more

There is an attitude problem with the employees. I feel like they are doing me a favor when I shop there. Well I won't have to experience it any more. There are just too many other places to buy spirits. read more

Well stocked - friendly staff - tastings and a bar too! Didn't have what i was looking for but it was seasonal so im sure it will be in stock soon! read more

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Has everything you need for any occasion. Large beer selection and endless wine. Nice helpful staff read more

Garfield Beverage - Beer selection - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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My wife and I shop here from time to time. Staff seems to be getting worse and worse. They're incredibly indifferent to customers coming in and spending hard earned money. I saw a couple store picks I was interested in and wanted to try before shelling out $70 on the bottle. "We don't have that!" Ok no big deal I'll leave it for someone else. Saw a cool bourbon event coming up And asked what to expect. "I've been here long enough that if I tell you it won't happen!" Was the response. Bottom line is part of the point in going there is to try new things and get some recommendations and these guys just aren't interested. Good thing Binnys is down the street read more

I came in today, looking for advice on whiskey for a tasting. In almost all liquor stores workers don't give you the time of day. Here not only was treated very kindly, but I was given recommendations that fit my budget, and made me very enthused about the hobby! It's not often you get kindness like this from a stranger on such a heavy hobby and so it was greatly appreciated. read more

I have shopped at this store since they opened. I went in today to ask for a couple of empty boxes, of which they had many, and I was told "no". I will now be saying "no" to shopping here. I am sure I can find another liquor store willing to take my money. read more

Best wine selection in CL. I like this store because I went here to grab some wine for dinner on a Saturday after i got my mani/pedi done and walked right into a wine tasting! JACK POT! I got to try around 5 great wines. cabs, merlots, pinots..... yummmmm is it 5pm yet? :P On top of that, they had out around 15 diff cheeses to match the wine, standard I know... but it seemed like the choices were actually thought about. I ended up buying an herbed goat cheese. It was called purple haze I believe? So when I go to buy liquor outside of Jewel, I go here. read more

This place is awesome! People that care to help you. When you want that special wine be sure to ask Scott for a recommendation. read more

Garfield Beverage - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Went to Garfield Beverage the other day for the first time and had a very positive experience. I was looking for a very specific bottle of scotch, unfortunately they didn't have it, however their scotch specialist spend 15 minutes we discussing my likes and dislikes and found a couple of bottles to try (one of which was great). I'll be back. read more

I would give ZERO stars if possible. The so called manager "Matt" is a total douce bag. I was in here talking to their bourbon guy, holding a couple hundred dollars in bourbon when "Matt" the so called manager comes down the isle and asks if that's my car parked out front. It is snowing out, the lot is covered in 1/2" of snow and I am the ONLY car in the lot..... I said yes, if you are asking about the black SUV, that is mine. Matt, the douche bag, tells me I can't park there, there is no parking in front of the store. I said....ummm, how would I know, it's snowing out, can't see ANY marked stalls? Then I get pissed....wait, did you really come to the ONLY customer in your store to point out I parked in a non parking spot? Matt the douche bag says...YES. I put 2 bottles of high end bourbon back on the shelf, walked out and did a few donuts in the lot with my Escalade. I will NEVER step foot back in this poor excuse for a liquor store again. Matt......good luck pal, you are going to need it Snowflake! read more

Hey! Come check out there monthly beer tasting. Over 20 different brews. Large selection at this store. They even carry Maui Brewing Company's beers! Side note - we toured their facility in 2007. Check the dates for the tastings. Don't forget to sign up for their preferred customer and earn points for future discounts!all the staff is friendly. read more

Garfield Beverage - Monthly beer tasting! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

My wife and I just visited the Garfield's in Crystal Lake this evening. We browsed around the store for about 10 minutes, made a selection, then went to check-out. When we showed our identification to the cashier, he had no problem with mine. However, my wife went to the Secretary of State's office this week to get a REAL ID, as she will soon be traveling via airplane. My wife presented the cashier with both her paper SOS-issued "Temporary Driver's License" as well as her hole-punched, hard Driver's License. The cashier told my wife that neither of these was valid for Garfield's and pointed at a sign near the register explaining *their* policy on temporary IDs. He then explained that he believes the Temporary Driver's License can be "easily counterfeited." This is besides the fact that my wife also presented him with her Driver's License that the Secretary of State had hole-punched. My wife and I are married homeowners, and definitely do not look underage. This was our first time visiting Garfield's and likely our last if the store can not win-back our business. I have never had such an issue with any other business while waiting for the state to send a new hard-copy Driver's License. If this is a store policy, it is an asinine one. Garfield's lost out on $40 tonight and any future revenue. We just went to Walmart, instead. The surly way in which the cashier addressed my wife and I ensured that our first visit to Garfield's will be our last. read more

cleaner than when it was Dobby's, or at least it seems because of the new shelves? weekly free tastings! (mostly Saturdays) still tons of great craft beer picks create your own six pack or buy single bottles! met chef Jaime Laurita at a tasting! fair prices wish they were open later & located closer to home read more

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Didn't offer the members card discount. Even after I asked to sign up for the VIP card. Checker failed to discount my on sale purchases. When I asked he said sorry too late. Don't feel like a VIp for sure! I'll drive past this location next time. read more

Booze, wine, beer, YAY! Decent prices. This place has a bad ass cooler full of cheese up front next to the registers. I really like the Stilton that they sell here. More knick knacks than the typical liquor store I'd say. read more

I go to Cardinal Liquors for all of my booze, beer and wine needs. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and they have a great selection. When I had just moved to Crystal Lake, I was jonesin' for this wine I used to get in my old neighborhood. I couldn't find it anywhere. I asked about it at Cardinal, and they special ordered it for me! They have a fantastic craft beer selection. I LOVE the fact that they gave the "Big 3" brewers (Miller, Bud and Coors) the worst beer real estate in the store so the craft beers get the prime spots. Screw you, Big 3!! I'm also a fan of their wine tasting kiosk. To use it, you have to be a VIP member (which requires a small annual fee). They offer a large variety of wines to try, and I believe it changes everyday. It is a great way to be introduced to wines you may have passed by if it were just sitting on the shelf. Now you won't have to judge a new wine by it's label anymore! read more

While I wasn't legal to visit the old Cardinal store, the new Garfield's is amazing. Very well organized aisles with clear signs, HUGE varieties of alcohol, and a cool mini bar too! I think that's for special tastings though. I've heard people say this place is a little more expensive compared to somewhere like Walmart or Jewel, but I don't really see it. Recently, they had a free craft beer tasting all along the beer aisle, and that was a cool experience for me. They didn't ID anyone, which was kinda fishy since I look painfully underage, but I sampled almost all of the beers that the vendors offered. Although I didn't care for any of the samples, I enjoyed talking to the vendors and learning more about their brands. read more

Cardinal has a great selection of craft beer. Their prices are very reasonable. This is definitely my liquor store of choice in the NW suburbs. The manager in charge of their beer buying is Chris. He is always helpful with making recommendations or checking on stock in the back if something is not out front. Great liquor store. read more

I was visiting from out of town and was looking for some good local craft beer. I wasnt disappointed to say the least...excellent customer service and great recommendations were made by the employees! read more

Garfield Beverage - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

A good place to shop for beer and liquor. Better than average selections. Good prices. They have samples here too if you're so inclined.

Can't beat Garfield's extensive selections for all of their offerings. Prices very competitive and staff most knowledgeable. My favorite theme park read more

Bought a bottle of Kerrygold Irish cream for St Party's Day here only to get it home and find it was almost a year past the best by date. Rightfully it tasted like crap. Went to Binny's and bought the same bottle WITH a gift box of chocolates for $6 less that was NOT expired. Took my bottle back to Garfields and was given the option to exchange for a different bottle or store credit because apparently that's the law even when they're the ones to have messed up. Cool. So now I have a $20 store credit that will likely never get used. If you're going to shop here make sure they aren't selling you expired product. read more

Went there today the check out guy was vaping right behind the counter. I won't ever go there again.

I love going to this place and finding new beers that other places don't offer. It's close to my home, and their selection is top notch. I love the bar they have there as well. Get to try some interesting choices as well. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. read more

Formerly Cardinal Liquors, now Garfields. Then, they moved across the street. Huge parking lot, even bigger "warehouse" feel to their wide selection of libations. I generally visit here for part convenience and for the dependability for having certain items in stock. It has improved so much from all the changes that occurred. read more

FRAUDULENT VIP WINE PROGRAM RIPS OFF CUSTOMERS. BEER DRINKERS ARE ALSO NOT WELCOME AT ALL HERE!! I used to be part of this store's "VIP Program" that offered tastings in their wine bar on a daily basis. After my second year as a member, without explanation, I received a notice from one of the managers saying that the owner and senior manager had decided to terminate the program I had already paid for, AND to bar me from their store!!! Why?? Since they refused to give me any explanation, I believe it was for several excuses: 1) They don't want to encourage people to come there who are more beer drinkers than wine drinkers, since their wine has a much higher pricing margin. (I bought a lot of both, but the owner and senior manager wrongfully assumed that I bought mostly beer.) And, they seemed to expect people to come in who would only use the service on an very infrequent basis. (I went there about 2-3 times a week, and about 90% of the time I bought beer and/or wine from them. We were supposed to be allowed to go there everyday if we wanted, but they didn't follow their own VIP agreement.) The owner and senior manager were very nasty to me in the final month leading up to this, which I was hearing they were with other people as well who they assumed they weren't making a high enough profit margin off of. They are incredibly backwards in doing this, because I was giving them good word-of-mouth business. But after this horrible customer services and just outright unprofessional behavior on there part, I would urge you to stay away from this place. Give your business instead to Binny's or Trader Joe's. Also, this place has one of the worst looking, least helpful websites you will ever see. They thought they could do it themselves even though they have no web experience whatsoever, and boy does it show! Bottom line -- upper management are fossils, and just nasty people, period. I wouldn't be surprised at all if this store closes by the end of the year. (Yes, they're that bad.) read more

Excellent customer service and store layout. It was my first experience there and I was treated like a valued customer.

Really great beer selection*, great wine and booze selection, great taps in the bar, and even a nice selection of snacks to stock up on. The asterisk about the beer selection is mainly due to two factors: price and freshness. Their prices tend to be a couple bucks higher than Binny's (even $5 to $8 higher for special release beers), but I guess people in CL can pay for the convenience of having a local spot. But my biggest complaint is the freshness, or lack thereof, of the hoppy beers is average at best. An IPA from Tighthead (from nearby Mundelein) should not be on the shelves with 7 months of age on it. So if you are looking for hoppy beer, check the dates on the cans/bottles as I usually put back at least 3 or 4 choices before finding something fresh. read more

Decent alcohol selection but service is terrible. Been here a couple times so far and had rude employees both times. Prices are about the same as anywhere else so I probably will not be coming back. read more

Wow! Great space, wonderful new wines and an awesome tasting bar, with a knowledgeable bar keep. Definitely something special for folks looking for great wine, craft spirits and wine. Especially love how they support local breweries too. read more

Garfield's is really awesome to their customers. I came in looking for some Old Forester bourbon and Bruce helped me out. I've found a lot of great spirits here, enjoyed some tastings, etc. I've given up on Binny's because of stores like Garfield's. read more

Shopped here with a friend this past week because it was in the area and I'm very disappointed. They came home and found their liquor was past it's use by date. Just looked and my mixer is too. Saw another review that stated something similar. Not going to waste my time returning the product because I've heard about the stellar attitude (sarcasm) of the owner. read more

Great selections on anything from wine ,beer and whiskey. You can't beat the prices or the great customer service at the register.

Great staff and selection. Always friendly and ready to help with suggestions for meal accompanying beverage choices and ample beer selection even draft beers. Glad they're in Barrington now and dropped the Cardinal name! Best of luck as Garfields! read more

Excellent selection of different types of beers very friendly staff and Amanda is awesome!!!!

Great prices - great staff - and one of the best cigar selections in the NW burbs!! Great place and folks to deal with!!

We have been going here, out of our way, since they opened. I've been purchasing old favorite bourbons, new ones to try, and gift bottles regularly. We've had drinks at their bar, brought out of town guests there, and was always offered samples. Today, we went and chose some bourbon to buy, and stopped by the bar to see what we could taste. Group of male owners? Managers? Other? Standing a few feet away, ignoring us. We were there to sample and buy, as before. Finally, one of the guys came over, but seemed irritated. I asked if there was anything to sample today. Condescendingly, he snapped, "this is a bar." I said we'd had drinks here before, and usually sampled prior. He shrugged. We paid for our previously selected bottles and left. He would not have addressed my husband the way he addressed me. I have a long checklist of bourbons to try, and fellow bourbon loving friends, whom I have referred to Garfield's repeatedly. I am disappointed enough to stop shopping there, and rescinding referrals to others. WTH? read more

My husband and I went to Cardinal to stock up for our Christmas dinner and the large number of family members we had coming into town. We were beyond annoyed when we got to the counter and were told that everyone in our party needed to have our ID in order to make our purchase. I had left my purse at home. Our frustration was furthered when the family behind us, which included minors, were not all asked to show their ID. It was explained to us, that if you were clearly under the age of 18 you did not need to show your ID, which makes no sense. I'm not sure why a 16 year old minor in your party is less problematic than a married couple. They have a pretty good selection of beer, wine, and liquors but we were so inconvenienced, we do not plan to return to this store. read more

Place looks like a liquor store, idk what else to say. One could knock it for being a bit tight but I like it when they keep it real like that. The service is stupendous! Shout outs to my boy Chris, this guy will help you find what you're looking for, even if you don't know what it is yet. Everyone in there is great. Excellent! Selection: Okay guys so the selection of craft beer is the best in town. The only place (as far as I know) that sells singles. Stock is always rotating; keeping it fresh with the latest and greatest. I run out of available funds far before they run out of new mind blowing beers i'm dying to try. Excellent! Okay I was just about to mark n/a when it comes to food but I be forgetful. I love cheese. All kinds of cheese. Except cottage and American Anyway, they have cheese! And muchies which they bustout for beer tastings, which reminds me! These guys host awesome beer tastings (and wine too if that's your thing.) I can only speak for the former. You may want to call to check the current schedule, but I know this past summer they were doing two beer tastings a month that featured the dankest (and local-st) brews available, huge "tastings," good turnouts and good times all around. Massive props on that guys. They usually have some special deal going on in the craft beer isle to check out. I always manage to get hooked up in one way or another. I leave happy. And when LovingCup is in the market for high quality brewskis, well ladies and gentleman, Cardinal on Rt.14 in Crystal Lake is where LovingCup returns. Again....and Again....and Again. If you're in the area do yourself a favor and check this place out. I could not recommend it enough. And if your from the area and don't know by now....Quit playin' wit my emotions! read more