Alkali Rye - Oakland's Beverage Shop — Local services in Oakland

Alkali Rye isn't what I'd consider your "normal" liquor store.

They have a wide selection of wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, teas, etc.) and other items that are more unique that going to a normal liquor store.

They really try to feature women-owned/people of color-owned businesses as well as local businesses. They have a range of different priced items to match different occasions.

When I've been the owners and staff seem pretty knowledgeable about the different items and have helped me and others to make good recommendations and not just trying to upsell the most expensive items.

I'm a whiskey fan, so I'll put it this way, if you just want a bottle of Jack and Jim, you probably wouldn't go here. But if you want a good bottle that you couldn't get at a...

I like small stores like this with well curated selections. As a tequila and mezcal geek, I can appreciate the carefully selected items in their selection.

However, I'm upset at their pricing on a recent "semi limited" release of Tequila Fortaleza's annual Winter Blend release. Their price was the highest in the Bay Area by far. It retailed for as low as $120 in San Francisco and some locations had it for $150. This place ... $250.

This is not good for the distilleries, it makes no difference to the distributor and is ultimately awful for consumers. I love capitalism too but they crossed the line.

As such, not a business I can see myself supporting...

Alkali Rye - An East Bay Gem! Highest quality, careful selection, impeccable taste in shop design and ambiance. Now part of a vibrant and diverse food and spirits community, a warm and professional Jessica and Kori bring an added dimension to meeting an increasingly diverse palette. From tripled distilled and aged Japanese Whisky to select Oaxcan Mezcals, so much to choose from. Also nice, the aroma of Red Bay Coffee (even buy a package) is a nice addition, all the while finding something special to fit any budget. Around the corner from the Grand Lake Theater at the foot of Lake Merritt, Alkali Rye - a bright, new gem on this Grand Avenue. Love...