Redmonds of Ranelagh offers a more refined shopping experience than most other undistinguished and frequently grubby off licences in Dublin. You know straight off from the exterior that this is the case with dark oak timber paneling adorning the outside of the shop and the 'Redwoods' name emblazoned in Gold inscription. Once you step inside this form of elegance is more than maintained.
Redmonds is more of a winery than an off license. It does sell beer and cider but the selection is limited, yet the collection of wine is extensive in numbers and quality with bottles from all over the world featuring on the towering shelves, the cheapest starting at €6 and the most expensive setting the cash register ablaze at a steep €200. This selection is there to be savoured, even if you only have enough money to buy one bottle of Blossom Hill for €7 you can't help but enjoy roaming the shelves gazing tenderly in the direction of the more exclusive wines.
Redmonds presents it's alcohol in a very neat fashion - that which is orderly, well labeled and arranged in price order. If you don't have a lot of money to spend this is very helpful as it prevents you from frittering away time (as well as rousing that unnecessary and depressing feeling of melancholy and bitterness owing to the fact that you don't ideally have more money) having to search through the expensive bottles to find the ones you can realistically afford.
The cheaper wines and cans of beer and cider are to be found inside the door, and so for the non-connoisseurs who are looking for a quick purchase on their way to a party this is perfect, and again no time is wasted having to look in and around the more expensively priced drink like in many other stores as well as supermarkets. For the more erudite drinker who wants to take their time the neat shelves towards the back at the store provide the perfect peaceful setting in order to mull over what's on offer. This makes the shop sound like it's got a bit of an ostensible class-divide going on but it honestly hasn't. Overall it's refined exterior and interior in addition to the systematic and logical manner in which it presents all forms of drink communicates an overwhelming respect and positive reception to all customers no matter what their budget.
Last but not least, once you have chosen your tipple of choice the service at the cashier till is tremendously helpful and sincere. No matter what you buy, whether it's a €100 bottle of Châteaux Margaux finest or six cans of Druids cider you receive the same considerate care with everything well wrapped and service that is never lacking in a smile. This is such a congenial shopping experience. I always look forward to going into Redmonds pre-party to buy my alcoholic drink of choice. read more