New York City Liquor Stores

New York is a great place to drink beers and cocktails, but if you'd rather drink from a handle there are tons of high-quality liquor stores to help you find exactly what you need.

Heights Chateau, 123 Atlantic Ave. (www.heightschateau.com), A classy liquor store for a classy neighborhood. The Chateau stocks an enormous collection from all over the world, so you can go from Australia to France without having to seek out specialty stores. The prices can exceed airfare, but luckily the owners keep discount bottles up front—consider it a student deal. Discount items $8-15. Other items $10-80. Open M-W 10am-9:30pm, Th-Sa 10am-10pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Bowery and Vine, 269 Bowery Whether you're a wine and liquor connoisseur looking for something special or you just like a cheap bottle of wine once in a while, you'll be able to find something here that appeals to your interests and, er, wallet. They place large selections of wines in the $8-25 range separated by country in the middle of the store. Italian vermouth starts at $6, Japanese sake at $10, and there's lots and lots of Stoli starting at $28. Wines $5-160. Open M-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-11pm, Su noon-9pm. Tastings Th-Sa. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Sakaya, 324 E. 9th St. (www.sakenyc.com), Sake all the way from the land of Japan. The Kikusi Funaguchi ($7), which comes in a 200mL can and has a high alcoholic content, is a bestseller. For something slightly fancier, check out the more expensive options ($35-40). If you really want to go hard, you can pick up a bottle of Katchou Gesseki ($96). Sake $7-96. Open M-Sa noon-8pm, Su noon-7pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.