Written by Rob Peterson
When bars closed a few years back and we were no longer able to go out and drink, many of us (including myself) stocked up on supplies to play mixologist at home. Though the world’s since opened back up, some still enjoy to stay in rather than go out. If that’s you, I have some leads on where you can find those special supplies to make for a great night.
Note for liquors: Some manufacturers have gone to an allocative model to keep supply flat and “in demand.” This keeps prices up and inventories low. Liquors like Chartreuse and many bourbons have not increased in production since the cocktail renaissance has been in full swing. This means the average home bartender needs to be either quick, order ahead, or have a relationship with their local purveyor. I highly recommend having a good working relationship with one or all of the retailers on this list. It makes it so much easier to find that Holy Grail bottle when you have someone to call.
A trick for cocktails: Since the 19th century when cocktail culture was born, bartenders have been using a fortified wine as part of their repertoire. Wine can be fortified with higher proof or sugar to increase its longevity, although in this day and age of preservation it is more of a well established style. You will find sherrys, vermouths, ports, and others in many of the recipes you love. Most of the local retailers will have a separate section for these wines away from your normal lower ABV wines. You can drink all of the fortified wines on their own, but what they bring to the party should be understood. Their strength lies in playing the support role in your cocktails.
Based on research I have done, here are the eight best liquors stores in Spokane. Let me help you track down those rare, dusty bottles so you can fill out your bar and get ready to host, as well as make delicious drinks for yourself.
Total Wine & More
Both the North Point location at 9980 N Newport HWY and the Valley location at 13802 E Indiana Ave are open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
After the voter passed initiative of the repeal of state owned liquor stores in 2012, Total Wine moved into the area to offer a large establishment encompassing beer, wine and hard liquor. With easily one of the most extensive selections of all three, you can find normal selections of vodka, gin, mezcals, whisk(e)y, and modifiers, they also carry many brands that are absent in your local corner grocery or liquor store.
The real gem though, is their tastings. They host monthly events where they feature different themes from all bourbon, to different styles of the same wine grape. This allows you, the buyer, to try things you have not had before, adding them to your collection. With their selection of bitters and mixers, Total Wine is your one stop shop for almost all of your cocktail building needs. Highlights for me include St. George Terroir Gin, Bib & Tucker Bourbon, and the Giffard brand of Liqueurs.
Egger’s Liquor Store
Located at 5612 S Perry St on Spokane South Hill, Egger’s Liquor Store is running 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day but Sunday, when they are closed.
If you have lived in Spokane as long as I have, Egger’s is synonymous with quality. Their butcher counters have been open for more than 70 years, and they took that same drive to deliver high quality customer service and products to the liquor market. Nestled deep in the South Hill in the original meat building, Eggers has curated a very nice selection of liquor. Catering to the cocktail aficionado like me, they have a varied selection of aged liquors and fortified wines to mix your favorite Manhattans with and more. They have also hopped on the tasting train, and offer tastings monthly. Note that when you peruse their shelves, the pricing you read is the “out the door” price which already includes the WSLCCB assessed taxes. Highlights for me were available bottles of Chartreuse, Pierre Ferand cognac, and XXXX.
Bulldog Liquor & Wine
Bulldog Liquor & Wine is located at 1101 N Division St. Suite A and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. most nights. Friday and Saturday, Bulldog Liquor is open until midnight. On Sundays, they close at 10 p.m.
Housed in an old WA State Liquor location on Division, Bulldog has quickly established themselves as a destination for those rare gems in the liquor industry. Bottles of allocated bourbon and such line the shelves with those old copper colored nameplates that adorn the headers above the shelving. In addition, their special order program has been second to none. I find myself wandering the aisles pouring over the different bottles of whatever in every corner of the store.
They also have one of the best high quality top shelf selections in town behind their glass. If you are looking for that special bottle of Macallan 25 for the bargain price of $2499, they have you covered. They have also started a signature line working with specific distillers to develop a “Bulldog” version of some of your favorite hooch. Highlights for me, Eagle Rare SB “Bulldog,” Absolut Elyx vodka, and Singani 63.
Full Stop Grocery & Liquor
Full Stop Grocery & Liquor is located at 4417 W. Wellesley Ave. in Spokane, WA and advertises as “always open.”
Tucked away in a former hardware store location, Full Stop is your normal C-Store with gas and snacks, but also offers a very wide selection of liquors that rival other establishments. They have the largest selection of Canadian Whiskey I have found in south of the 49th parallel. In addition, they have large selections of bourbon, rums, mezcals, and vodkas not necessarily found elsewhere. Their endcaps are usually filled with special offers and unique offerings that they may not have more of once they run out. Highlights for me were Old Overholt BIB, Cream of Kentucky Bourbon, and St George Absinthe.
My Fresh Basket
Located in Kendall Yards at 1030 W Summit Pkwy, My Fresh Basket is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days, except for Saturdays and Sundays when the store opens an hour later at 7 a.m.
When Spokane Produce decided to get into the retail space, they identified Kendall Yards as their first flagship location. While they have the widest selection of grocery items than any other location in this article, their liquor selection is purposefully curated. Rare bottles of allocated whiskey that I have a hard time finding in town are easily acquired once you get past the locked glass doors. They also carry some unique fortified wines I have not found in town elsewhere. If you are looking to outfit yourself for a night of entertaining, make this place your first stop for food and drink. Highlights for me were Lustau Vermouth and the Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Rocket Market
Rocket Market at the corner of Scott and 43rd on Spokane’s South Hill houses a quaint little corner market where you can pick up dinner and a bottle of wine any day of the week before the place closes at 10 p.m.
This may seem like an unlikely place for unique alcoholic selections, but believe it or not, this place holds one of the widest selections of bitters (the “seasoning” in cocktails) along with fortified wines that you will find in the Inland Northwest, I believe. When you do a deep dive into cocktail building, you will notice bottles of orange bitters and Angostura at most locations on this list. However, when you get off the deep end, you will find yourself looking for barrel aged, cherry, lemon, walnut, blood orange and many other flavors of highly seasoned high proof alcohols to add to your drinks, which can be found at Rocket. I spent an inordinate amount of time pouring over the different flavors and brands of bitters to complete my collection.
Costco
Costco has two locations in Spokane. One at 12020 N Newport Highway and the other in the Valley at 5601 E. Sprague Ave. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8:30 Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
No list would be complete without Costco. Its selection is not the most robust, but if you are looking for the best price (or the largest size) on some of your favorites, there is no better place to go. Costco’s buying power allows them to negotiate with manufacturers to get sought after varietals or special releases that are hard to get elsewhere. Bonus points for showing up on sample day where the aisles are lined with toothpick adorned items to stuff in your face. Note: the Kirkland Brand of some liquors could be a generic repackage of some of your favorite spirits at a deep discount.
Had to Throw in Idaho State Liquor
Idaho State Liquor Store is located in Post Falls at 7209 W Seltice Way serving the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day but Sunday, when it is open from noon to 5 p.m.
If you live close enough to Idaho, you may find yourself swinging by to stock up your bar in Idaho instead of one of the above locations. Always friendly and well organized, you can find a good selection of your favorite liquors and mixers at any one of the Idaho State Liquor Store locations. Be on the lookout for their “local spirit” section where they feature selections from local distilleries from the area. One of the nice advantages to the Idaho system is that you can find their inventory list online with prices (for those of you who are looking for a deal), or a rare bottle of whatever.
That does it! This list is by no means exhaustive. If you have a favorite local retailer that does an exceptional job of stocking their liquor shelves, please let us know. We will be happy to check them out and add them in.