If you need alcohol for any occasion, you go to Joe Canal's. This place has a great variety of alcoholic drinks with great prices. There is always some kind of sale here which is a good thing for a bargain shopper like me. The place is so big that you might think it would be overwhelming to navigate yourself in there, but they're so well organized that shopping here is not stressful. They have friendly and knowledgeable staff. It's always a great experience shopping here. Can't say anything negative about this place. read more

Best prices AND selection in the area! Also, if you're a craft beer fanatic, you'll love this place. The growlers are awesome as well.

Wine: Best competitive prices. Helpful staff. Knowledgeable staff. Large selection. Specialty high priced wines and prestigious wines available. Cheap wines available. read more

Love this place. Like Disneyland for wine lovers, with regular tastings. And the staff are very helpful.

The only place I go to buy booze. I love their craft beer section and the bottle club prices cannot be beat. Staff members are friendly and helpful. read more

This place is awesome for a huge selection of discounted wine, spirits and beer. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, they were able to quickly provide suggestions for great wines that are very affordable price wise. I also checked out their whiskey/ scotch and bourbon selection and they are definitely cheaper than the whiskey in New York City. I bought a bottle of hibiki for less than 60 dollars, usually it's about 80 in the city. If you're in the area, this is a good place to check out. read more

Sadly, I have to downgrade Joe Canal's to four stars. They still have the best selection of craft beer in the area and their growler station always has a great beer on tap. But....every time I come in here, whether it's busy or not, I find myself waiting a while at the growler station before someone comes over to help me. They are also pretty stingy here with the sampling. You get what's pretty much an eye drop of beer for a sample and are limited to four samples. I know I shouldn't be complaining about free samples but it's hard to judge a beer based upon 1 oz especially when you're getting mostly foam. I am not one to take advantage, so If I'm sampling, I'm likely filling up a growler. Plus what's up with not being able to sample beer during the wine tastings? Unfortunately, I will never fill my growler here during a wine tasting as I can't justify paying $10-20 on a beer that I am unsure about liking before even trying it. I'm assuming this must be some weird county or township law as I've never encountered this at other liquor stores that have wine tastings. The employees are mostly friendly. I've had conversations revolving around beer with a lot of them and they always have great recommendations. The growler discount is still great and the selection/hours that they hold still puts them at the top of the list. With some minor tweaks to the growler sampling, they could easily make their way back to five stars. read more

Best Liquor Store within Miles. Have been coming here since it opened. Good selection of Wines and Beers. Everybody is so helpful. David the Manager is very accommodating and Suzy the Beer Manager always finds me something interesting. Thanks guys. read more

I'm giving Joe Canal's one star. After shopping there since it was bottle smart and spending over 1,000 dollars a year since the place opened. The new manager (old enough to be my kid) told me he would call the cops and tell them I was trespassing if I ever walked in his store again because he saw me comparing prices to competitors. You know what I didn't give him a problem. I left my cart there went to Wegmans down the street. They gave me no problem and they had better prices. Not to mention I notice on a single bottle of La Crema Chardonnay it was priced at 21.99 at Joe Canal since January while Wegmans and other stores in the area have in for 16.69. No wonder they don't allow price comparing by customers. They throw a few good deals and sneak one in on you. I'll stick to stores that let you compare prices. This place change big time. read more

an overrated place since they have a decent selection but the staff is stiff and unfriendly...they walk around like zombies and the chickie Debbie is MEAN....I once asked her about a particular sale item and she told me 'it's a wine for our smart customers and if you don't know it then you're not one of them!" not the best prices - better across the highway at WEGMAN'S.. SKIP IT... read more

The selection here is excellent. It's very refreshing to have staff who actually know what they are talking about and can offer excellent recommendations. Pricing is very competitive and the store is laid out in a logical and customer friendly manner. read more

Wow. Excellent selection, great prices .. What else would you want in a liquor store? Join the bottle club for discounts, it's free to join.

This place is great. Awesome warehouse of liquor, beer, and wine. They have a really big craft beer aisle. I like that they have a good variety. The store is big, bright, and clean. The staff here is helpful, and they seem to really know their stuff. read more

Not quite up to the standards of an Oak Tree Liquor in terms of selection but it is nontheless fairly good, including draft beer options that are actually craft beer. Prices were fair and checkout process was smooth. Probably best option in Clark area. read more

They pretty much have any kind of liquor and beer you would want. Very big store tons to choose from great employees and prices!

Loved being able to purchase different kinds of beers without having to purchase by the case! If only the place was closer to Philly :( Customer service was outstanding from the store manager. Crabbie's lemonade beer is my new summer beer! read more

It's nearby my place decent. Don't forget to get yourself a coupon card to get some good discounts on the selected.

Tons of liquor. This place has everything you are looking for in every liquor department you can think of. Their wine selection is out of control. There beer selection in plenary. The whiskey choices are great. Best of all they have the best prices in town. read more

Among all the liquor shops in the Woodbridge/Iselin/Metuchen area, I have decided to make Joe Canal's my go-to place for a great selection (over 10,000) of [affordable {under $10}] wines, beer and other spirits. They've got high end spirits as well for fair prices and pretty much anything you could want/need and then some! If you need help ask the wine manager, for she is the most knowledgeable of all the staff. I would give JC's 5 stars but the staff seem clueless (aside from management) and completely unexcited and lethargic. Several months ago there was one young lady that exuded energy and positivity but sadly, I have not seen her since. I lovingly call this place the 'Home Depot of Liquor'. Stop by and treat yourself to something great! read more

Great store. I just wish it was a bit closer. Very friendly and knowledgable staff and pretty good prices. Sometimes you know a place with something a dollar or two cheaper, but they usually don't have the selection Canals does. Almost always, they have the best price on all beers. One time a guy working there offered to order a vodka I couldn't find anywhere for me. Unfortunately it wasn't available in NJ, but the effort was still appreciated. I always stop by when I'm in the area or before a holiday. Only actual complaint is getting back on on route 1 from the parking lot, but the fact they have a huge parking lot in the back more than makes up for that. read more

Amazing always. Been going for years. Great selection, great prices and an overly knowledgeable staff

This is an awesome, all in one place to get all your liquor. It's like a liquor mall! The staff is so friendly and ready to help you and suggest diff liquors to you if you aren't sure on what to buy. They always have what I'm looking for and they even have a discount bottle club (FREE!). :) read more

I work in a liquor store, and I can tell you that the prices, for the most part, are as close to state cost you can get, especially when it comes to the beer. And the selection is amazing. It does get a star taken off because the staff suffers from "Can I help you"-itus. As a retailer I know this is a theft deterrent, but it's annoying as all fuck. IF I WANTED HELP I WOULD ASK YOU FOR IT! read more

A good selection of craft beer with single bottles for sale, 6-packs, 12-packs, cases, sampler cases, larger size bottles (22 oz. & up). They also have a good selection of spirits. I'm not a wine/champagne drinker so I can't speak towards them. But beware when you buy craft beer here, they love to keep out of date beer on the shelves. Majority of the 12 oz. single bottles ont the shelf are past the drink by date printed on the bottle, which is why they are selling it individually as they broke down a 6-pack or case. I ever saw that they were still selling a "fall sampler" case in June. I have had mixed luck with the drink by dates with craft beer, some don't go skunky, but some do. Also check the coolers for out of date beer as well, especially the not as popular breweries. Check Sam Adams stuff too as I've seen some Sam Adams brews that are about to hit the enjoy by date and some that are months past it. Their prices are on the higher side compared to other stores that carry craft beer in the surrounding are (Middlesex and Union counties). They are selling some single 12 oz. bottles for $3.25, which I think is ridiculous. read more

Good selection of craft beer and wine, little pricey and they don't really say Hi when you walk into the store, but the workers by the beer section will always ask you if you need any help. read more

I am normally happy with this store's selection, pricing and staff however my experience on Friday Nov. 25th was very unpleasant. I shop here at least twice a month to grab mostly craft beer or bourbon. On Friday I arrived at 9:20am and asked for Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, which is typically released Black Friday. A gentleman upfront told me that while they had it, it was reserved only for customers on a special email list controlled by the beer manager. I was not sold a product they had in stock and on top of that I was the only customer in the store. This store practices very unfair business practices for limited release items and I will not return for them again. Please consider a first come first served basis. I find it absurd that any customer, yet alone a frequent one, is turned away from buying a product because they are reserved for people who are "buddy buddy" with a manager. read more

They have a great selection on beer and wines. The staff was very helpful with recommendations.

I love this place. They have so much variety and everybody is very helpful and friendly. This the inky place I get my liquor. Prices are very good as well. read more

I am lucky to live so close to one of the best and largest discount liquor stores in the state! Over the past 7 years I have bought many different wines of various price points from them, and I can confirm that they are selective about what they sell. Yet the main reason Joe Canal stands out from other great liquor stores is on account of the sheer volume and variety of all types of alcohol. The selection of popular wine varieties from Western Europe and US is tremendous. But what really excites me is that they sell wines and liqueurs from countries that are not popular wine importers such as: Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Georgia, and Israel. Plus, they have many featured wines for which they provide detailed descriptions of the flavor and ideal pairings. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. There were several occasions when three employees asked me if I needed help. Joe Canal's is my number one choice for wine and liquor regardless of whether I am shopping for everyday spirits, dinner parties, or holiday celebrations! read more

In central Jersey this is probably the best place to go for wines and craft beers. Prices are fair, sometimes higher than Wegman's but sales or bottle club prices can make it worth it. Used to get great recommendations when Deb worked in wine but she left so usually fend for myself there, but the tall blonde guy in beer is great. Clearly likes good beer and always ready with recommendations and willing to help. Taught me about checking bottle dates for freshness because not everyone that manages that department cares about rotating or removing old stock. Would have upped the stars if all people working there were as friendly as him. read more

Terrible....rip off. Bought a keg for a party, they required an 80.00 deposit. After returning the keg they wanted to give me $30.00 back instead of my $80.00. I used my own tap, they assumed we did not return their tap. Would not refund my $ until they viewed video footage of us renting the keg the previous day. Will take my business elsewhere. read more

Got a bottle club card with the Iselin address on it. But they don't honor it because I signed up at another store. I then tried to buy some beer on sale (no club card needed), but was told I couldn't get sale price without signing up. So I left my two cases of beer for $40+ on the counter because they wouldn't give me the one dollar discount they advertised. The people who staff this place are not only dishonest, they're stupid. read more

They do have a huge selection of everything from wines to hard liquors to beers. I've been here three times and I get the feeling that the person at the tasting station is either prejudiced or very selective in who he speaks to and invites for the free tasting. My 1st time I went into the store, I passed by once carrying a basket of bottles for purchase, reading the signs for the variety of drinks they have to offer at the tasting station, but not once did the guy speak to me to offer me any drink. Two caucasian males pass by separately and the person behind the drink counter automatically calls their attention and asks them if they'd like to try some of their new drinks. I let it slide that day trying to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. However I came back again another time and the same thing happened. They even had tastings for purchase and I decided to ask the "bartender" about those to see if he would even mention anything about the free tastings which I see advertised on their flyers. He didn't offer me any. I walked on to continue purchasing other bottles on the same aisle and not too long afterwards, I saw the similar pattern - white males separately pass by and the guy opens up to them and offers them free tasting. I can't say everyone in the store is like that - didn't get that vibe from anyone else. Since that's only one person and this is a review of the overall place, I'd have to give this store a fair rating overall for their variety of selections. They have some discounted bottles that allow you to venture and try a variety for purchase. The rest of the staff otherwise appear helpful. read more