Super friendly staff with an eclectic selection of beer and liquor. They carried some Half Acre beer that I have not seen around the area. One of the guys made a suggestion after indicating the types of beers we liked and his suggestion was pretty spot on. Credit cards accepted! read more

Star Liquor - Awesome craft beer selection and just the nicest guys! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Used to stop by and like this place. Just called to ask for a bottle of something specific, was laughed at for the question, received a rude remark and then hung up on. Whoever was working the counter has zero customer service skills and a bad temper for job as low stress as selling beer and liquor. Get over yourself you pompous jerk. read more

While perusing the bombers of beer, the clerk behind the desk told me to get a certain beer brewed with spruce, because "it is like getting hit in the face with a forest." Being a sadist, I try to smash my face into a pine tree at least once a year, and I thought adding an oral element to it might up the arousal effect. The beer was pretty good, but unfortunately, it did not hurt. They don't have any alcopops (like Mike's), which means that to get both I'd have to go to 2 stores. read more

A small but eclectic collection with things I don't see in some of the larger stores. It's definitely a neighborhood stop and everybody seems to know each other - whether that's true or not doesn't matter, it's just the vibe of the place. Bonus: it's dog friendly! There's almost always a cute pup to peep whenever I stop in. Prices are reasonable and the staff is always friendly - I haven't had many questions but I've often seen them lending their knowledge to others. If you're looking for something specific it might be worth calling ahead before making a journey there, but if you're already in the neighborhood you should definitely pop in and see what you discover! read more

Here are some things that I love: *The knowledgeable, sweet, lovable staff *The Friday tastings (free beer or wine!) PS This Friday (tomorrow) is a free New Belgium tasting 4-7 *Pup friendly *Craft beer selection *Convenient parking (though I often walk) *Wine discounts on the 15th of every month Always my first choice for booze shopping!! read more

I'm new to the area, staying with a friend in the neighborhood while waiting for my new place to open up. I'm coming from Portland, as serious a beer town as you can get so, of course, I wanted to taste some local craft. Normally I gravitate to porters but it was hot, humid and, after biking back from my new job, I needed something lighter, something crisp. An ale but not too hoppy (can we stop over-hopping IPAs now, please). The salesman took me through several local choices like the pro he is. I settled on a Big O ale. It was perfect. A few days later I stopped in again for a refill. I had been told about a Wisconsin whiskey (Death's Door) and wanted to see if they had it. Not only was it there on the shelf but, right next to it was my favorite Oregon-made whiskey, McCarthy's!!! That's a tough bottle to find, even in Portland where it's made. I haven't bought any wine here. Compared to my usual haunts out West, the selection is pretty small but, the wines I did see looked adequate. I did overhear the suggestion of a familiar Spanish Grenache that I would have made myself so, it looks promising. Just like the 4 stars says, Yay! I'm a fan! read more

One of the most amazing liquor stores on the face of the planet. It is a total dive that happens to carry only the best in the world of beer, wine and spirits. Don't know what you want to drink? Just talk to one of the friendly workers and within minutes they will be suggesting a libation that will perfectly suit your mood and palate. I wish that all businesses could operate in the way this one does and really cater to the needs of the customer. Why only 4 stars then? Well, I'd like to give it 4.5 if that were possible. I subtract that half star because ya know what? Sometimes I like to drink like a hobo, and they just aren't carrying the cheap swill that I occasionally desire. read more

Staff was helpful and friendly. Aveage selection of wine, spirits, and beer. Fits in well with the Willy Street persona. Prices on scotch are significantly higher (25%) than, say, Steve's. read more

Prior to moving to Madison, my best friend and I drove to Wisconsin to purchase large quantities of beer for my wedding. After a pit stop in New Glarus, we came into Madison and stumbled across Star Liquors. The woman working there at the time was helpful, unpretentious, and gently suggested that we might have been in the wrong shop to buy VAST AMOUNTS of beer. She made suggestions of more suitable places. We ended up buying a few six packs of specialty beers just for pure enjoyment, and went on our merry way. I remarked to my friend that I wished we had a place like that back home... Cut to: a year later, when looking for apartments after deciding Madison was our new home, my husband and I were wandering up and down Willy street; I recognized Star and got really excited that the neighborhood we chose to live in also housed Star. The great and honest customer service I got initially has kept me extremely loyal: it's the only place we buy our beer. And wine (no judgments when we buy the boxed stuff, either). And liquor. Super knowledgeable staff and fun atmosphere. Whenever I've had a horrible day I walk into Star and walk out happier and wishing I could have a job there. read more

Such a selection. You really can spend a long time staring at the shelves, wondering if you should try the curry beer or not (I did, it was indeed reminiscent of curry). Although there are some unusual spirits here, you can feel free to ask the staff any questions and not worry if you sound like a novice or if you are asking for something too obscure. The staff knows their stuff, so don't hesitate to ask for a recommendation! read more

They have all the heavy hitting brews from the Midwest and beyond. The rare brews from Surly, Goose Island, Central Waters, Half Acre, 3 Floyds, and more can all be found here. Expect a line for the more rare varieties and it is nice that they break up some of the hard to find four packs some more folks can get their hands on some. The have frequent FREE beer, wine, and spirt tastings so stop on by, youbjust never know. Friendly staff and the singles/build your own six pack section is limited but always has some good stuff. read more

I love this little place. Honestly. It solves my problems. If you are like me and can't be counted on to spend less than 30 minutes fucking AGONIZING over your booze selections, this is your place. The store is small, but what it lacks in variety it more than makes up for in quality. I'm a beer hound and I constantly marvel over the interesting beers they sell. Lots of cool one-offs from Madison breweries and great stuff well beyond the borders of The People's Republic. Star also boasts a nice wine selection. I'm not a wine guy but I do know that when I say some stupid shit to my lady it's gonna cost me roughly one bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The staff is very nice and helpful and there always seems to be a happy puppy in the store which is a total win in my book. read more

There is no better liquor store anywhere. The service is friendly, the options are extensive and the prices are reasonable. Several years ago my boyfriend and I stopped in to buy a case of wine for a wedding gift. We really don't know a whole lot about wine, so Adam hand picked the perfect case within our budget. Our friends said it was some of the best wine they had ever had, and they visit the Bay Area on a regular basis. Thank you Adam, for making us look really good. They often have tastings of beer, wine and port. Great Taste of the Midwest tickets are sold here too! They actually personally wished me a happy birthday via myspace. Star Liquor rocks. read more

Never had a pleasant experience here in the past 6 months. Not friendly staff at all... I'm not sure what the other people that have written reviews here are talking about. I try and be friendly to people in general but these people that work here don't seem to hold these values. read more

The only trouble with living in Wisconsin is sometimes there are just too many amazing beers to choose from. Enter the knowledgable, friendly, and often funny staff at Star Liquor. Have a question about a beer you've never tried? Need to pair the best wine with your meal? Consider it done, and within your price range. I love living within walking distance of this place, but I'd drive in a heartbeat if I needed something. read more

This place has been around a while, perfecting, and it just can't get any better. Not an enormous, get-lost-in kinda joint -- and the super cool guys who work here can recommend anything from wine to beer to their favorite Irish cream! And the peeling the label off thing -- why doesn't everyone do this? Just really good customer service, now with Fat Tire beer! The best!!!! read more

They don't sell alcohol at the co-op right down the street, so we were sent over the Star Liquor. They had a pretty great selection for a small-ish place, and there was promptly someone to ask us what we needed and to make suggestions. They had reasonably priced bottles of chilled wine (even organic) and we left (uncarded, again) merrily on our way to sip from plastic cups in our hotel room. read more

My regular stop for good booze. Place is small but has many awesome beers and wines - knowledgeable and cool staff too. Extra points for the man behind the counter who bantered with me about the mention of the Chateau Latour 1929 in that 4th season episode of Northern Exposure read more

Awesome selection. Muchas gracias to the tattooed lovely for her timely assistance. She made an excellent recommendation of the Lake Louie Arena Premium ($10 and change) which will soon occupy my complete and undivided attention for the rest of the evening. read more

Underberg! Ever heard of it? It's the "natural herbal digestive" according to an old German friend of mine. Great after a meal, they say. So, I did a search of Madison liquor stores to see if I could find any. First one on the list never heard of it. Same with the second and on down the line. About the fifth store or so, the person on the phone said they had heard of it but didn't carry it. They said: "Try Star Liquor". So, I called them. The gentleman at Star said: "Yeah. We've got it. You want a case, 12 pack, or a single?" Whoa! I've heard a lot about the legend of Star Liquor in the past. Now I'm a believer! They've got my business from here on out. Not only because they actually carry Underberg, but they are really nice folk! What's not to like?! read more

Star Liquor really epitomizes the neighborhood liquor store. It's selection isn't the largest in Madison, but it's still very good in beer, liquor, and I'm guessing wine as well (I haven't bought wine there yet, hence my reason for not drawing conclusions just yet). The prices are reasonable, and the staff is helpful. Pretty much a great place to purchase wine, beer, or liquor. read more

As everyone has said good selection great staff in a smallish sized store.

My uncle, my aunt, my husband and I spent a dark, chilly evening and an even chillier morning camped out in the parking lot waiting in line for tickets to the Great Taste of the Midwest. Though I only spent about 10 minutes inside the store, the employees handled the crowd well and they had a great selection of suds. read more

An incredible liquor with superb management. They often meet or beat the big boys on price and the selection is fantastic. In addition a staff that seems to enjoy the customers and each other. read more

I was in Madison for literally 30 minutes to pick up my sister from UW. I needed a spot to pick up some New Glarus for me and a friend and found Star Liquors here on Yelp. Very knowledgeable employees helped me decide on Moon Man Ale to go with the thumbprint Cherry Stout I was already picking up. A great hole in the wall liquor store! read more

Stopped by on our way through town looking for interesting beers that we don't get down in St. Louis, and left with a big box full. Great selection & prices & the guy who helped us (sorry didn't get his name) was friendly & super knowledgeable. Great place. read more

Star Liquor is one of those places I was slow to appreciate. I never thought there was anything wrong with it -- just maybe a wee bit pricey. But after asking people at other stores for a beer recommendation, or even if they had heard of a certain brew, I've come to appreciate how much Star goes to have an educated staff, and how much that is awesome, and how I have been spoiled. I loathe pretension when buying beer or wine so much, and yet I do like to be able to ask questions of people who know their stuff. I also have fond memories of being told to rock and/or party on, especially when I've visited with my pocket-pint-of-cheapest-vodka-ever buying dad. read more

This place just really speaks to my likes. I love the small town feel this place offers in a city of over 200,000! Quality product and quality people. It offers a great selection of brews that would be tough to find at some other places. They have great relationships with their distributors and that ensures they can get a hold of limited release and hard to find beers. Can't go wrong with the free tastings every week ;) read more