Where are the liquor stores? (Seattle, Issaquah: sales, to buy, taxes)

[VeronikaW]

I know that hard alcohol is regulated by the state in WA, but for the life of me, in 3+ months of living in the Seattle area, I've yet to see one liquor store. Where do they hide them? We stocked up at BevMo before moving here (which will probably last us our entire 4 years here, as we're not heavy drinkers), but I just find it so strange not to see liquor stores anywhere.

V. =)

[scirocco22]

http://liq.wa.gov/stores/find-store (broken link)

[cityx]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

I know that hard alcohol is regulated by the state in WA, but for the life of me, in 3+ months of living in the Seattle area, I've yet to see one liquor store. Where do they hide them? We stocked up at BevMo before moving here (which will probably last us our entire 4 years here, as we're not heavy drinkers), but I just find it so strange not to see liquor stores anywhere.

V. =)

You're correct. Washington State has more stringent liquor laws particularly when it comes to the purchasing of alcohol. From my recollection from my years in Seattle, there are no "liquor stores" like in parts of California where there is almost one on every block. Corner stores in Washington, (like 7-11), were forbidden to sell alcohol for the most part. I had to buy my booze at traditional grocery stores such as QFC, Safeway, or a retailer that specializes in the sale of alcohol - like a wine emporium. Even the clubs and bars in Washington that sold hard alcohol were required to have food available to purchase on-site. Most of these places had to have a facility to cook food even if it was just having a microwave or a hot plate. Many clubs that sold the hard stuff would just stick a microwave, some hot dogs, and a coffee pot in the back and voila! You met Washington State requirements. At least this is how it was when I was there.

[pw72]

Washington liquor stores are sometimes in odd places, but I've noticed that especially in Seattle, they are moving into new, better locations. They've even opened up some of them on Sundays, even more of finding a needle in a haystack. Also expect to pay some of the highest prices for liquor in the country due to heavy "sin" taxes in WA.

[CityGirl72]

OHHH I miss BevMo!

[pw72]

This is in interesting topic, because, the State wants complete control. There have been ideas floated about grocery store sales, but always seem to get shot down. The State wants to be able to tax these sales to the max, which is typical for a liberal, tax-needy state. However, I do see the State trying to improve their stores, move to better locations, and take advantage of a steady revenue steam. But, as I mentioned earlier, State control = higher prices. I'm not a frequent purchaser, but noticed that the same 750 ml bottle costs about $4.00 more in Washington than in California, Nevada, or even state controlled Idaho. Hmmm...

[citywoman]

There's at leaast one liquor store in North Bend & Issaquah, I know.

It's all part of WA state liquor laws......

You can buy wine & beer at grocery stores or Costco. But if you want rum, gin, or any hard alcohol, you'll have to find a liquor store.

Every state has its own rules. In SC, they had wine & beer or one side with its own entrance & exit. Then on the other side you had hard liquor with its own exit & entrance.

Guess the SC alcohol board worried about inter-breeding amongst beverages.....

[pw72]

Yes, kind of funny about the different laws in different states. I was in Kansas a couple of months ago, tried to buy a six-pack at a grocery store in Wichita on a Sunday, and was told "no sales" on Sunday. They WERE polite and directed me to an area of town (perhaps different county), where I could buy after 12 noon.

In Oklahoma, you can buy beer on Sunday, but it is "low alcohol" beer, much lower than other states. I guesss we can complain about Washington, but there are still States out there that have much more strict liquour laws!

[VeronikaW]

Thanks, everyone. We're not really drinkers, but it just seems weird not to see liquor stores at regular intervals.

We lived in Indiana when I was younger, and they have some serious blue laws there, too, so it's not too unusual, but still just odd to me.

V. =)

[Pittgal]

There is one on Gilman Blvd past Target, sorta behind wher the McDonalds is.