Offy

JungleFaceJake · October 2009

Hello All

I am new to the area (well moved three months back) and I'm getting a bit bored of Tesco as the off licence option.

Are there any Actual off licences around this area, not local shops that sell booze, but actual off licence/wine shop.

I am not a proper lush, but its always nice to browse a lovely wine selection, and cider and beer... a bit like a nice bookshop, you just spend a while in there pretending you know what you're looking for.

thanks

ADGS · October 2009

There's a Threshers down by Finsbury Park station (though maybe not for much longer given the mutterings one hears about said firm) and a dedicated independent booze shop on the Haringey side of the Crouch Hill end of SGR.

JungleFaceJake · October 2009

wicked, cheers...

staplejack · October 2009

Jacks always throws up a surprise or two...

Ian · October 2009

There's an Oddbins on Crouch Hill - just before you get into Crouch End.

andy · October 2009

Yep. Thumbs up for the oddbins.

Mills · October 2009

Jacks for me. Support your independent booze supplier! Jack (or Ravi as he is more accurately known) gets specialist belgian beer in for my other half.

Colette · October 2009

Jack's is brilliant for beer (but check the sell by date), not so good for wine. There's a good independent wine merchant as you go up towards Highbury Barn, on the right hand side - can't remember the name right now.

Ian · October 2009

@Collette - [HIghbury Vintners](http://www.highburyvintners.co.uk/)

underscore_cue · October 2009

Its all about Jacks. Used to live very close. Ravi has lots of stories. Used to get him confused His twin brother Majinder until I got used to the different mannerisms.. check the sell by date and then when he tries to blag you that beer doesn't go off don't have any of it. Use it as a tool to bargain him down... And then use what he let you have them for last time as an absolute maximum and always try to blag him to let you have them for less.

tosscat · October 2009

I like Jacks..

dorothy · October 2009

I like Oddbins. They tell you you've got remarkable good taste, if you happen to choose their recommended wines, and they don't care if you use their carpark, but don't actually go into the shop. Staff always look suitably pale and wasted, which seems appropriate somehow.

matt · October 2009

Tesco, Oddbins, Jack's or [Nicolas](http://www.nicolas.com/en/magasin/london/crouchend-473-178-378.htm) (Crouch End) depending on my needs

andy · October 2009

Nicolas is expensive compared to Oddbins, but has a good selection of French wine.

As for Jacks, I'm never sure what's charming about a shopkeeper trying to slip me out of date merchandise. Maybe it's because he's smiling it should be OK. Maybe it's just me.

Ian · October 2009

@Andy - part of me would rather the charming shopkeeper giving out of date merchandise than any of the staff of Woodies but I know what you mean.

David · October 2009

I've never had an out of date bottle of anything from Jacks. While I've no doubt it's happened I'm no sure we should be making it sound like the norm. Ravi is always friendly, he'll get a particular bottle in for you if you ask and frequently gives us a freebie like a lighter or some skins just because. For me, that's the charm of Jacks - it's no Oddbins but it gets my vote.

JungleFaceJake · October 2009

Thanks everyone, pretty comprehensive...

I went to Jacks in the end on Friday, pretty good... but may have to venture some more wine specific places soon, as Jacks was a bit limited.

cheers

matt · October 2009

Londis on Ferme Park Road have a good range of wines, spirits, etc. Mostly reasonably priced.

magicP · October 2009

Yes, the range at Londis is v good. Also, another vote for Jack's.

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