Wiggy’s

I love me some Wiggy’s…it’s just got the best old school feel. I can’t lie, I’ve shopped many times in the cold alienating light of a big box booze store, but that feeling (while it might save a little ca$h) doesn’t really touch the charm of Wiggy’s. I love their well-​worn and quite uneven wood floors, their fantastic selection and the friendliness but not over-​eagerness of their employees. They’re always knowledgeable and willing to share what they know about spirits & wine, you’ll rarely get a «huh?» or «I don’t know» up in here. Wiggy’s is what shopping locally is all about, I think. You can walk in & keep to yourself, or you can chat a bit with them, but if you need help, they will help you select the perfect thing. I’ve found many many spectacular bottles of various liquid love over the years and I’m thrilled they’re still a going concern. Booya Wiggy’s, not small feat in the ever-​changing landscape of Austin today. And you may find a stellar easter egg of something you didn’t think you could get anymore up in there too!

As out of towners, we came in for cigars and beer for my bachelor party. The customer service here was second to none. Leo talked us through our cigar purchase and perfectly curated our experience. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. Thank you!

Above and beyond knowledgeable! Super helpful and friendly staff even though it had a «we are closed“feel from the outside. They knew a lot about the beer and were dead on with what I said I usually like. I was so happy!

Great cozy little store with huge wine section. On Austin original they will stand there and explain things just for you. Excellent customer service and very friendly. A model for successful retail. Keep your booze money in Austin shop here

When a business has an ax to grind with customers:
So a few days ago I went in to this liquor store because a dear friend told me they have a good selection, and hold wine tastings and events.
A very shabbily dressed man, with bad teeth, bad skin and an unclean air about him was unfriendly, did not smile when I walked in and told me no, they do not have events, no I could not leave my name and email and that the selection was ok. Clearly he did not want my business, I left.
Tonight after a medical appointment I decided I wanted to get a NV grower’s grapes small batch Champagne, my doctor is on 6^th st as is my dentist so in I went.
Same cold reception, by same unkempt man. Greasy hair, shlubbed out clothes. No pride in appearance.
I tried telling him what I wanted, told him I was relatively new in town, same cold reception. Only this time it wasn’t micro agressions, he was aggressive.
He cut me off as I spoke, and did not let me finish the description of the kind of Champagnes we like. I said to him, you know you were rude to me the other morning and you are being rude and dismissive tonight, clearly I am not welcome here.
He said no you are not,
Austin, the town where people turn customers away based on… hmmm I wonder what?
Anyway don’t waste your time in this dusty, poorly laid out store, with its old and poor selection, served with a heft of snark and where «certain people:» are not welcome.
I had my cellphone on in my pocket, taped the whole exchange I may go to the city and file a complaint.
I only went in and gave them another chance because my doctor is literally around the corner and I have a dinner party to go to tomorrow night and thought I’d bring Champagne, not from this sad, croweded, dirty little store I guess. I will go to Austin Wine Merchant at lunch time tomorrow where the service is tops, they are keen to please, everyone is welcome, it is immaculate, they smile and will even walk out with you and help you load a case. Yes, no need to try this place again.
This guy, the owner, clearly has issues, his tone, demeanor and even the way he dresses and the coniditions in the store reflect it.
This person is supposed to serve all the public, Segregation is illegal now, yes, even in Texas.
I hate this town and many of its merchants, there is a reason many of us buy almost everything online.
Yuck!

Great vino selection! Lovely staff that assisted me in finding a nice wine to take to a clients house! Parking was easy when I went but can be a little more challenging when Z tejas is packed.

After walking across town on a hot day, I found Wiggy’s. Was. So. Thirsty…
I stopped in for a water and found the place to be well stocked. Although I didn’t want to walk around town with a paper bag, they had a nice selection and found it to be a good opportunity to buy a local cider.
I found an organic tasty apple cider that I brought back to the hotel to enjoy later. A ice cold water and a nice diet Dr. Pepper to enjoy on the way back. ;)

How do I love thee!!!
This is a wonderful little local, funky liquor, beer and wine shop.
Parking is a bit of an issue which I am sure prevents many from stopping, but it is worth the extra drive around the block.

I used to live in the neighborhood and this was the nearest source for booze and Megamillion tickets so I’ve been in this store MANY times. This is a nicely stocked place for a smaller sized store that carries wine, liquor and beer. The good news and the bad news is that this place carries a lot for the size of the place but the size of the place limits what they can carry so you might not find exactly what your looking for all the time. Overall its a cool place and will probably have most of what you need even if it might not have all you want.

So many people wiggin’ out on Wiggys! Apparently I hit an off day. We needed some gin… and we needed it STAT. I broke some speed limits getting there but as I screeched into Wiggys, I was feelin’ good about it.
Where better than an Austin original with a whacked out name to find some local gin? Except when they only carry one bottle typically of any given kind. I needed THREE bottles and prefer to stick with the same delicious juniper-​y flavor. Hey, it was a party. Don’t get all judge-​y.
So I ended up with something not local and that’s fine. But the dude was the tortoise to my hare. Said tortoise was holding back the hare from getting her gin on. And you know how ornery rabbits can get.
Alright so the analogy got weird but the bottom line is, I wasn’t super impressed with the offering and since the guy at the counter wasn’t super impressed with the idea of being what the cool kids call «friendly» — Wiggy’s was only a-​okay for me. And you know it hurts me not to give a liquor store five stars.

The staffer who waited on us patiently helped my friend search high and low for an unusual wine. Before leaving empty-​handed, I spotted a 30-​year-​old Ardbeg sitting on a high shelf, and started throwing money in the general direction of the cash register.
Detecting that I am a man of discerning tastes, the manager opened a bottle of a rare bourbon that he had special ordered for a regular customer, but being so very rare, that customer had offered to let the manager drink half of it first. So there we were swapping shots of one of the finest single malts in Islay, and shots of the best bourbon I have ever seen. Wiggy’s is just a phenomenal, special, place.

I lived behind Wiggy’s for over a year but it wasn’t until I left the hood that the place became a shining star in my opinion. Every now and then I’d pop in the buy beer or a bottle of wine and was always treated very politely. The employees are on a name to name basis with many of the customers so it makes up for the little price jump in product. They also have a big selection of different kinds of bitters and other hard to find unique cocktail accessories.
I called one day to ask if they carry Verdillac Sauvignon Blanc, I feel bad for not remembering his name I think it was Eric advised me they could order a case for me as long as the brand had a Texas distributor. I searched on line and found bottles on line for $ 9.95 that could be shipped to Texas, he told me he would put in the order and call me in a few days. Once he called back he had placed an order for a case and he would sell them to me for $ 7.25 a bottle for the case or under $ 9.00 per individual bottle. I was overjoyed! The case came out to be a little over $ 100 for 12 bottles… great deal considering a glass costs $ 7 at Uchiko’s Happy Hour. Now I have a whole case of badass wine to give away as gifts or drink myself like a Beverly Hills Housewife… Thanks Wiggy’s you have my business any day

When it comes to local, old school liquor store this place takes the proverbial cake.
I needed to pick up some provisions for a train ride to Dallas. I happened to be in the hood and Unilocal brought me here.
This place is classic. Great, old fashion ambiance and colorful staff (as well as what appeared to be a regular). I’d definitely stop in here again when I’m in the hood.

This is a real blessing to have in our neighborhood. Great beer selection, very big (and decent) wine selection. Yeah, they have booze too… I just don’t drink it too much. It is quite large and well stocked and prices are not bad.

In a time where we’re being reunited with some old fashioned cocktails that have some unique ingredients, it’s good to know that someone actually stocks that hard-​to-​find, slow-​to-​sell oddballs. Twin is nice and all if you want Titos and Capt’n but when you want Antica vermouth, Gordons Sloe Gin, Aperol, Genever gin, real Maraschino cherries, you’re out of luck, they move high-​volume stuff, period. Wiggys, they appear to care about the details, the oddballs, the small batch, the special edition green chartreuse in the wood box, the grappa, the «hey, I like this can you recommend something else I might like». And they deliver.
Want to recreate some of the cool drinks from Peche and ESSR, the basics and the essentials are at Wiggys.

Small but offering a good variety of quality wines, liquor and stuff for the bar. Austin friendly and not a chain. I found a bottle of the excellent locally-​made sarsaparilla bitters from Bad Dog Bar Craft here as well as a bottle of Pol Roger champagne. Like this place a LOT.

I love the ambiance and attitude of this liquor store. Also, the staff is very friendly. The guy at the counter turned me on to Topo Chico! Those were the best mojitos ever — paired with a local white rum that he recommended. This is your one stop shop for Austin’s various hometown brews.
And, when I needed boxes to move, they helped me out. In all aspects of a liquor store, Wiggy’s has been helpful and excellent.

Jeb is out of town and I have been staying alone at his house for the past week. His sink has started to smell like rotten eggs to the point that I need to wrap a towel around my face in order to use the crapper. This afternoon I reached a critical turning point, I either needed to
a) scoop the dirty water out of the sink and figure out what’s going on
or
b) get so massively drunk that I can no longer smell it.
I set out in search of a liquor store and stumble upon Wiggy’s.
I tell the guy behind the counter, «I need a bottle of Jack like right freakin now.»
And he’s like, «No problem, boss.»
He heads down an aisle, returns with a bottle, and I’m out of there in like 2 freakin seconds. Well done, bro.

Did you start off the day telling your friend «If anyone messes with me, I just might maim them»?
Did you call everyone on the road ‘a piece of s — ’?
Did you see that there was plenty of open parking spots in front of Wiggy’s as if it was a sign from on High?
Well unless you’re me you probably didn’t, but I did so I ended up here. The same man behind the counter from the other location is behind this counter and it threw me for a second. I liked the wood floor, but I’m sure the sound of my heels on it was annoying. There is a much bigger selection here, obviously as it’s a far larger space. I wandered all around and settled on a pomegranate vodka (it’s chilling and soon I will be too).
I go to check out and the man behind the counter reminds me why I like him. He’s so low key, but so cool. We got into a conversation about elderberry wine. I love when you go buy something, but it’s also a little experience. I feel that way about most places I frequent now, and it gives me a feeling of community I’m not used to. I’m getting used to it though and loving it. ;)

I walked past it daily, never gave it a second thought. One day I needed a very nice champagne for a gift, they special ordered it for me, I found something I wanted more elsewhere, called to cancel the order (oops, too late), and they were not in the slightest bit bothered — told me, «No matter, someone else will buy it.» I walk in and browse the wine, and though the person hovering around me to «help» me was a bit off-​putting for a «if I want help, I will ask for it» person like myself, I was astounded at the wine.
Firstly, they carry champagne-​in-​a-​can (in packs and chilled singles, $ 4.49 a pop). Secondly, and this is where it gets…
***IMPORTANT***
Wiggy’s sells the best wines at the lowest prices. Read that? Read it again. I was as surprised as you just might be at this moment. At least 3 – 4 of my favorite wines, no, at LEAST 4 of my favorite wines, regularly purchased between Whole Foods and Central Market were there for less. One was $ 7 less. Same wine, less $.
They had a wall of just… whatshisface’s favorite under $ 10 wines, lengthy notes on what to expect from some of them (I always appreciate tasting notes on wines — I want to see more of that from everywhere), and this seemingly Goldilock’s ‘just right’ sizing on what they had to offer.
Now I’m a bit sad that I walk by daily, now I’ll have to come in equally!