Cellars Fine Wine & Spirits

I do not live close enough to stop by Cellars on a regular basis but I have visited approximately 4 – 5 times over the last year due to positive reviews, social media posts, vast growler selection and low pricing. I know quite a few people rave about this liquor store and for valid reasons, but I guess I do not frequent Cellars enough to have the same rapport with the staff yet. Every time I have visited the staff hasn’t been as helpful as I would like. I have asked questions about beers and I typically get very short answers. If a regular walks in the conversation kicks right up, its almost like they are talking to a different person than I am. This may be the culture at a liquor store vs. big chain stores. Since this is a small and local business I want to spend my money here, but I may visit some other local beer stores as I have had a more positive experience with some others in this general vicinity. The jury is still out, but I was surprised to see that I am the only one on here that has had this experience. Maybe I’ve come in on the wrong days/​times.

Mickeys operation is top notch. Best selection of craft beer you will find in Phx and even better prices. His worker Blake is extremely nice and helpful as well. I go out of my way to purchase my beer, wine and spirits. Thanks Mickey!

Personally, I think you should avoid Cellars at all costs.
I feel that this gravy train that Mickey Salem has going at Cellars can’t last forever, so the fewer people that go there, the better for ME!!! :)
Seriously, I don’t understand how Mickey can do this, so any craft beer enthusiast should go there ASAP to check out the wide variety of offerings. Mickey is obviously a very intelligent, savvy, and extremely resourceful manager, but he lacks the buying power of the Big Box stores. So how can he mount this INSANE growler fill station at prices 40%, 50% or sometimes even 75% below the Big Box prices? Low overhead may help, but it can’t be the whole answer. I chalk it up to voodoo and magic, or maybe he has some really, really embarrassing dirt on the CEOs of all the local distributors. Whatever the case, I count my lucky stars everyday that Cellars exists, and that Mickey is managing it.
Here are a few examples of the unsustainable insanity at Cellars I’ve seen recently, or over the years:
— 6 pks of a well known San Diego craft beer for 2.99. CRAZY.
— Dogfish 4pks for 3.99. Dont want the whole 4pk? Fine, he sold singles of the same for $ 1.
— Ommegang 3 pack boxes with snifter glass for 7.99. LOL, Big Box was selling the SAME BOX SET for 39.99. I saw it with my own eyes!
— Hey, I just filled a 64 oz growler with outstanding craft beer for $ 8. I wonder if Mickey would go even more insane and let me take a couple craft bombers for $ 1.99 each? Answer = YES.
— Occasional craft growlers at 4 $ for 64, and 2 $ for 32.
— Out-​of-​season, high ABV bombers from top notch breweries for 2.99 or 1.99 (i.e., a pumpkin ale in summer, or a winter ale in fall, etc.) He does this sort of thing all the time.
Now, I’m not saying any of those particular deals are active or current, but you can expect similar craziness and similar deals at any particular moment. Go in, see for yourself!
The selection madness goes way beyond growlers and traditional cans/​bottles, by the way. The place may be called Cellars, and it obviously has a respectable selection of Wine and whiskeys, but Mickey really shines when it comes to extremely hard-​to-​find and unique bombers from across the globe. When you are are browsing the craft coolers, its hard not to get whiplash as you keep doing 180 degree spins to see the 4 – 5 rows of growlers directly behind you. Its truly a wonder.
Aside from the ridiculously large selection at ridiculously low prices, a big part of the Cellars experience is your interaction with Mickey, who apparently does not sleep and is always there ready to answer your questions, or to recommend beers according to your particular tastes (without so much as a hint of ‘upselling’), or gossip about rumors of upcoming releases. Mickey is not afraid or reluctant to share every bit of his industry insider knowledge with you. And over time, he has built up a very reliable network of knowledgeable friends and insiders from coast to coast, so he is very much in tune with craft happenings from Vermont to Washington to Arizona, and beyond.
Cellars also has all of the amenities a person may want on a late night beer run… ice, snacks, sodas, and so forth.
There is one thing I think could be improved. THE NAME. The owner should know that «Cellars» is not steeped in history, nor does it’s name resonate with the customer base of this store. When I tell people about Cellars, and then they realize what store I am talking about, they almost always say «Oh, you mean Mickey’s? Its actually called Cellars? I didn’t know that.» LOL. the customer is always right… and your customers want the name changed to MICKEYS! Or maybe Salem’s. Nice ring to it.
Viewed as a whole, Mickeys (ooops I mean Cellars) really is an amazing thing, and Mickey is downright inspirational. He took a DYING unit in a DEAD strip mall, and converted the tiny space into an elite oasis known throughout the valley, a true craft beer mecca.
When life gives some people lemons, they make lemonade. Life gave Mickey some lemons, and he crafted us a gold medal Unfiltered Citrus Saison Ale aged on Kentucky bourbon staves @ 8.7 ABV 54 IBU. Well done my friend.

Super convenient, pretty much always open, and Mickey is always friendly even though he is ALWAYS there! Glad this place is right down the street from my house.

Mickey is the man… he knows about what he sells and that’s huge in my book. Nothing worse then going somewhere looking to try a new craft beer and the guy behind the counter has no idea about any of it. Not the case at cellars! Mickey even toasted with my fiancé and I some rum chata because we had never tried it before. Thanks Mickey, you have two loyal customers in us!

Great local place to get some great beer at crazy low prices. Been there a couple times now and I’m never disappointed. Very happy this place is here.

Fantastic selection, prices, and service. The manager is great and always friendly and helpful. Don’t change a thing!

This place kicks seriously ass! Amazing selection of beer, liquor and wine. Really a great gem in the valley. And the manager, Mickey, he’s awesome. This place has become my go to spot for growlers. And the bourbon selection is improving daily!

I am continually amazed by Cellar’s and the manager Mickey. He continues to improve on an already great store. The growler station now offers 40 beers which frequently run the gamut in styles from IPAs to Stouts to seasonal selections. Example: They recently had Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin on tap! The prices are unbeatable as well compared to other local growler stations.
It’s also a great feeling to support a local store not just because it’s local but it’regardless of it’s proximity, it outshines any of the big boys.
The Phoenix beer scene is growing daily, which is great. Yet it’s awesome to have such a well run store this area of the valley. Keep it up!

My step-mom’s brother is a huge craft beer fanatic and he suggested stopping by here to grab a growler. I am sure glad I took his advice!
Mickey was really helpful in helping me pick out the «right» beer, and after a couple samples, I was definitely satisfied with my choice.
The prices here are insane (in a good way) — you can get a full growler of really good beer for about $ 10 or less.
And the selection is on point — I think there were over 20 taps of all types of micro-​brews.
When I was trying to choose, I asked Mickey, «Have you tried all of these beers?» His response: «Well, I’m the one who chooses which beers are on tap, so I only get good ones.» He definitely knows what’s good.
They also have a great selection of lots of other liquor in the store (wine, hard liquor, regular beers, etc.).

The customer service I have received from Cellars has been second to know. A few months back I got into contact with Mickey from Cellars on Facebook via the Arizona Craft Beer Lovers group. Originally I was talking to him about some rare beers he had in and if he would be willing to hold them for me for an hour or so while I drove over from Tempe and sure enough he was.
That was awesome service enough that when i started looking for a limited release bottle of bourbon (Woodford Reserve Masters Collection) I contacted Mickey again. He told me that it hadn’t been released yet and he would keep in contact. Sure enough every so often he would update me on the ETA for the bottles. When the time came that he got the bottles he not only let me know he gave me a great deal on the price and held a bottle for myself and a friend for a few hours.
Yet Mickey didn’t just stop there when I was in the store picking them up he and talked and he recognized that I really appreciated good bourbon so he offered to sell me an even more rare bottle that is near impossible to get (those of you who know what time of the year it is can guess what that may be). This was a bottle he didn’t even have on the shelves and I would have never known he had but he offered it to me knowing it would be going to a good home. I walked out of the store feeling like I hit the jackpot of some excellent drinking nights to come.
On top of the great service Cellars also has an incredible selection of beers both in the bottles/​cans but for growler fills as well. My buddy questioned my vision when I read how much some of the fills cost. They have beers on tap that could sell for double what they ask. Not to mention the fact that they have a huge selection for growler fills so you are pretty much guaranteed to find something that floats your boat.
Cellars may be on the other side of town from me but Mickey has made it worth the drive with excellent service and a wonderful selection. If you are looking for something special or just need to stock up check Cellars out.

BEST GROWLER PRICES IN PHOENIX! Hands down the best place I’ve ever been to for growlers. They have a large chalk wall with the beers and prices. I found this place on taphunter and went down and filled 3 growlers for a fraction of the price of whole foods or total wine. The staff was super friendly and allowed me to sample one that I was on the fence about. After he filled my growler with café racer 15. He blew the keg into a half tulip which he handed me free of charge.
Always a great selection of IPAs the following beers were cheaper per ounce for a growler fill than you can get in can, bottle, or bomber.
Firestone double jack
Firestone Wookey jack
Ballast point sculpin
Oscar blues G’knight
Deschutes hop henge
Bear republic racer 5 and café racer 15
I found my new favorite place.

Love this place! Hard to believe how much goodliness is in this little store! My new go to!

This isn’t just your average liquor store.
The drive-​thru is convenient and I’ve never had to wait a long time. Mickey knows his products and always makes good suggestions, if needed.
In order to truly appreciate Cellars, you MUST go inside. They have an amazing selection. More mini bottles than anywhere else, a wide range of all liquors, and for the beer drinker– this is the secret place you’ve been searching for. Their IPA selection is extensive! DogFish 120min! This was the only store I could find that carried it.
Best of all, their prices are great.
Go! Take a few minutes and drive out of your way, if needed. It’s definitely worth it.

this is a great quick local wine and liquor store. small but has a good selection and friendly staff. can’t argue with the convenience of a drive thru. ask about specials they always have something on sale.