Bar & Garden — Local services in Culver City

Visited on 3/30/2019

After getting some coffee from a few stores down, I decided to check out this shop before heading home. Although the beer selection was pretty small, I bought a random 4-pack of some IPAs from the front cooler since they carried a variety not found in most grocery stores and the price wasn't too bad. I bought a Modern Times LA Like, Brouwerji West Picnic Lightning, Brouwerji West 8 1/2 IPA, and Brouwerji West/Modern Times collab Spelt Yeah.

LA Like and 8 1/2 IPA were great and was nice to try something new while Spelt Yeah was ok. The Picnic Lightning, however, tasted pretty awful, which was odd because I had this before in the past. Unfortunately I didn't do my due diligence before purchasing and later noticed that the Spelt Yeah and Picnic Lightning were canned 2 months and 4 months ago. The Spelt Yeah wasn't as fresh, but not too terrible. The Picnic Lightning, on the other hand, was canned on 12/18/2018. It tasted pretty bad and I ended up dumping it out.

This was pretty disappointing because I was really looking forward to coming back to see the different selections they'd get in the future and try some new beers. If they're going to be selling old beers instead of rotating them out once they're past their prime, it's not worth spending money there if you're looking to purchase beer. I can't comment on the other liquor items they sell, but I probably will not buy beer here...

An awesome independent little wine and spirits store. You won't find a single name-brand in here and you'll be better off for it. Each wine is carefully selected, and all vineyards are vetted for responsible farming practices as a prerequisite for making it onto the shelves.

Tags beneath the wines range from playful quips to straightforward flavor descriptions to genuinely helpful guidance on what kind of event that wine might be best suited for. And if you need more help the staff is extremely knowledgeable.

Above all else, however, Friday's 5x5 wine tastings is where Bar & Garden shines. Pick 5 wines from the collection on the counter in the back as you hang out, drink, and socialize. When you're done, just pay up at the front of the store and let the cashier know which wine was your favorite. In return for helping the owners pick which wines to carry at the store, you're rewarded with generous sampling portions and a great time. Just be sure to get there early (5:30-6:00) to make sure you're there before they run...

Our family’s favorite wine bar! The wine selection is superb, and the staff is amazing and knowledgeable. We are part of their wine of the month club and always get amazing wine to try! And while wine shops aren’t necessarily the most kid friendly place, these guys make everyone in the family feel welcome! We love stopping by for a sunday tasting, and then walking down the street so our kid (and dog) can play at the park. It’s a great day for the whole family! The staff even went out of their way to save me empty wine bottles to use in a ring toss game I had volunteered to bring to my daughter’s school festival. Can’t say enough good things about the people working here… or the wine. Stop by and experience B&G...