Corks Of Cotham

If you want special, good quality drinks then you have to pay slightly more for them, but only slightly and the alcohol they sell here is of the best, rarest, variety.
They sell bottles of spirits here you will not find anywhere else in the city, not even in the top bars. Every single time I go in looking for a bottle of rum or a gin I like, they recommend a better one to me and tell me exactly how to serve it.
They also have a great selection of bourbon and these aren’t the brands you get in your supermarket, they are imported specifically for the purpose of being sold here.
They also sell Cuban cigars and the owners will chat to you about anything drink related really. They are very honest and clearly passionate about getting the best quality products into Bristol. I don’t think there is another shop like there’s in town.

Corks of Cotham is everyone’s favourite place for quality booze. Whenever I have asked someone where best to buy something a little out of the ordinary, I am invariably pointed in the direction of this Clifton wunderkind.
It’s great because the staff know their alcohol and the selection is mind-​boggling. Whatever you want, Corks of Cotham is sure to have it in stock.
Unfortunately, as is usually the way, such luxury comes at a price. There aren’t the same offers and promotions that you’ll find in a supermarket. If you’re in line for something special, make sure you pay a visit to Corks… just perhaps don’t make a habit of it.

I came in here looking for a present for someone that had helped me get a job. I cam in looking for something a little bit more special than what you find on the supermarket shelves, not in price but in variety. I came in and explained that i wanted a whiskey fit to give as present, and i was shown the Whiskeys and the one i was recommended i chose. The person that helped me was nothing but helpful and showed me a range of what was on offer along with their favourite.
A couple of weeks later i ended up getting a call from the person who i got the bottle for who was keen to find out where i got it from!

This is my all time favourite off licence. I am as careful with my money as the next person, but when something is exceptional then I would, in theory, pay whatever for it. Think Innocent Veg Pots. They’re the most satisfying, healthy, lush meal ever but they’re £3.50 a pop… doesn’t stop me buying three or four a week. The same can be said for Corks of Cotham. Yes, their prices are undoubtedly more than those of the nearby Sainsbury’s and Somerfields but you pay for quality.
Where else can you get a range of more than 50 beers, with new lines added on a weekly basis? Where else can you get a bottle of mead? Of Honey Bourbon? Of Somerset Cider Brandy? And if you want a decent bottle of wine then there’s no contest. The supermarkets can keep their Blossom Hill and their Lambrini. Corks of Cotham has an unrivalled and glorious selection.
Add to this the knowledgeable and friendly staff and this really is the British Library of off licences. They also have regular tastings and some lovely nibbles to accompany the good stuff.

For somebody like me who doesn’t know the difference between fruity and dry, and crisp and sweet, or which wine is ideal for drinking with salad or potatoes, then this is definitely the place to go for advice. This is quite a famous wine merchants. Corks of Cotham is absolutely perfect if you are searching for a bottle of wine to take with you to a dinner party, an extra-​special ale for an after-​exam chill, or rare spirits to give your home-​made cocktails an extra kick. The staff are actually amazing! Ask them any question booze-​related and without hesitation they will be able to answer.

Not just a great name, but a great wine merchants too.
The welcoming and knowledgeable staff are an ideal team for someone as useless as me when it comes to picking a bottle of the good stuff. With their friendly and un-​patronising tone they’ll guide you through the basics up to the best that they offer. (It’s a great way to bluff yourself through dinner conversation, and learn an interesting thing or do).
But it’s not just wine they have on sale but spirits and ales too. So if you’re looking for a bottle of something to take to a party, be sure to pop by to Corks of Cotham.

One of Bristol’s few independent wine merchants, Corks of Cotham offers a little more character than the beer and wine aisle of your local supermarket.
It’s more of a general off licence really, with generous spaces given to spirits and beers in the shop. They do know their stuff about wine though, and will happily talk you through the basics or discuss some obscure vintage. The staff are always friendly too and don’t take themselves too seriously.
They do tasting sessions, which are a laugh. I can’t take this sort of thing too seriously, but I’m sure there’s plenty to learn. Doing so whilst having a couple of glasses of wine can’t be a bad thing either. It’s certainly preferable to guessing at the quality from what the label looks like, which is what I usually end up doing at the supermarket. Corks of Cotham is a niche store where you’ll probably end up buying a better bottle than you otherwise would.

Corks of Cotham is a good independent Off Licence on Cotham Hill, off Whiteladies Road.
The shop is well set out and everything is quite clean and new looking. The staff are quite helpful and will make recommendations if you are not sure what to buy.
I prefer this type of shop to the large chain Off Licences e. g Victoria Wine and Odd Bins.

Literally one of the best off licences in the country! Very knowledgable on wines, beers & spirits. Specialises in high quality, hard to find beers. Friendly people!