Pearson’s Liquor & Wine Annex

Three and a half stars. Staff behind the counter are happy to answer questions and set aside bottles for pickup. Liquor selection’s quite good, with pricing on par for DC; not quite good enough to make it into my top 5 Ron Swanson shopping stops. Sprawling wine section, mediocre beer fridges. Street parking in the neighborhood can be sporadically competitive, so it’s nice that they have their own small parking lot despite the randos lounging in it.

I have been a regular customer for six years. Usually one hundred to five hundred dollar purchases. Today I went in to inquire about their online sales for wine. In particular I wanted a Pinot Gris that was advertised online at twelve dollar range for a case. I also wanted a Malbec. I wanted a case of each. I was directed to Mike at the wine counter. After he stopped talking to a visitor who was not purchasing anything he asked me if he would help me. I asked about the sale, about which he knew nothing. He offered me several pages of printed out page selections, then walked me to the Pinot Gris section of the store. I asked about the online sale wines. He said he knew nothing and that it was probably an out of date web posting. I walked out saying that I would never come back because of no customer service. He shouted back we don’t want you back. I was prepared to spend five hundred dollars. Avoid this place!

I found Pearson’s to be a decent liquor store — great wine selection, friendly staff, and your standard bottles to choose from. Sure, the prices are a tad inflated, but it’s located on the main drag in Glover Park across from Whole Foods and just a few doors down from the best BBQ joint on the eastern seaboard, so no whining is permitted.
They always have a bit of a tasting happening with their very informative sommelier, which is lovely. He’s also very eager to help you select something, so if you find yourself overwhelmed by the copious selection or aren’t in the mood to spend 30 minutes browsing, he’ll ask you a few question and help you pick the perfect thing.
Sure, the interior is a little scruffy and dim, but it’s an old liquor store with loads and loads of booze ranging from $ 500 bottle of wine to nips. I happen to find the sagging shelves and dusty windows charming, but that’s just me.

The most efficient wine buying experience. They have free parking. Friendly people who are very knowledgeable. I will be back!

Stayed at the savoy suites right down the road and the staff here answered all the questions i had about the area and were very helpful with wine selections. They care about their customers and it shows!

Pearson’s is my favorite place to purchase wine in Washington, DC, mostly thanks to the expert advice of Michael Du. His recommendations have never disappointed. Pearson’s isn’t the largest wine shop, but the selection is very well chosen. Numerous bottles are usually available for tasting at all times. Despite its location in Woodley Park, Pearson’s has its own spacious parking, making it an easy trip. Sales and discounts occur with some frequency, and the saavy shopper will be able to get a generally good price here. They certainly aren’t expensive.
Although they have spirits as well, their strength is wine. I’ve noted that many of the less enthusiastic reviews revolve around their beer and liquor selections.
Also, their parking rules (customers only) are plainly posted. I’m sure they pay a huge premium for their lot and the easy parking is a big draw, so not letting people park to use other businesses isn’t unreasonable in my view.

I live right in the neighborhood at this store. I can say that they certainly do have a good liquor selection however their prices are pretty high. Forget about trying to get wine and beer at the store though. Selection of beer is very small and the price of wine is almost painful to look at. I don’t mind going here for the occasional bottle of liquor for Glover convenience but certainly wont be picking anything else up. The staff is always nice and helpful. Also they have parking which is always a plus.

From the reviews it sounds like they are a lovely business in person, but buyer beware if you shop online. They don’t seem to have their act together in the online department.
I ordered wine online from Pearsons on July 13. After receiving an email confirmation, I didn’t hear or receive anything for 10 days. I sent an email asking about my order status but didn’t receive a response, so on July 24 I called to inquire whether they could provide a tracking number or otherwise let me know the status of the order. The guy said they had tried to be in touch (note: I had heard nothing from them by phone or email, which is why I called…) They were concerned because my address was a business address and they thought they would have trouble delivering there. I explained that no, in fact it was my home address, we confirmed they had the correct address, and they promised the driver would be there to deliver within 30 minutes to an hour. When I arrived home from work that evening, nothing was there, so I called the next day. Someone explained that they had come out but no one was home. Of course no one was home — I was at work and this was a home address — so I suggested that if they need someone to sign for the package, they need to communicate that in advance. At this point I just offered to come by and pick up the order, which they said was fine. I asked if they would be able to refund the $ 15 shipping fee, and the guy said he wasn’t sure… Seriously?
Like many people in DC, I lead a busy life, which is why I shop online and am willing to pay for delivery. It simplifies my life, which is a premium I am willing and fortunately able to pay for. What does not simplify my life is waiting almost 2 weeks for delivery and having to make multiple phone calls to track the status of an order. If they have questions about delivery, it is their responsibility to notify me.

I like alcohol. I don’t even think English has a word for how much I like it. I mean, I drink it ALL the time. And not just because I like it. It’s almost like I have to. And when I don’t drink it, I get all shaky and sometimes pass out.
Anyway, this place is great for keeping me from waking up in the emergency room under the judgemental eyes of the nurses.
Would get 5 stars, but (like pretty much everywhere) there a bit too much emphasis on the vodka section, and the beer selection is a bit weak.

Bought a couple of single malts yesterday only to realize that they were almost 20% cheaper at Calvert Woodley. Need to do a bit of research.

Not bad, not great. Pretty weak beer selection, and not cheap. Convenient location, but would be more convenient of they stayed open until ten.

This is simple. Great family owners who recently sold out to another couple, so always hands on help from the owners in the wine selection. I have never had trouble finding what I am looking for here, and with special requests the staff have special ordered for me. There is a cold beer selection, large liquor section, and a great wine selection. Prices are reasonable and very fair for the location and the level of service.
Mixers, lemons, limes and juices are available as well.

Love this place — the free tastings are great and I have learned a ton about wine from the smart staff there!

Free tastings every day, good prices, fantastic selection. We’ve been regulars for years.

Okay liquor shop. The customer service is just not there. The parking guys out in the lot aren’t too friendly (for ex. I pulled in to the lot and he came charging me down telling me I couldn’t park in the lot when I was walking towards the shop!) I ended up spending well over $ 200 and they give me a lecture on parking? It used to be a great shop with cool staff but they were bought out and it’s gone downhill since.

This is one of three liquor stores I use, buying all my store-​brand liquor here. Don’t laugh. Some cocktails call for exotic alcohols, and you’d be hard pressed to finance a big inventory of top-​shelf spirits needed for a complete bar. For example, I have one drink I almost never make that calls for absinthe. You can go to any other store in DC and spend $ 55 — $ 200 for one of the many brands sold in states following legalization of this drink… or buy a bottle of «Pearson’s Anisette» (a variant anise-​flavored drink) for $ 6.99. This store enabled my complete bar. Outside of store-​brand it is a bit pricey.

I agree with the post just a few below me, about the parking. Customer service is shoddy – the eastern european-​ish a-​hole that works there got a horrible attitude with me, because I was going to leave my car in the lot for literally one minute while I ran an errand (after shopping at Pearson’s, mind you). He said, and I quote: «I will f*ck you up» (presumably if I left my car there).
I am no longer a customer of Pearson’s, after being a long time customer there. The guy who started with me is almost always working inside during the week, wearing a lame eastern european-​ish type hat.
Sad that I’ll be giving all of my business to whole foods or safeway from now on, instead of a local store, but I will not deal with customer service like that. Someone needs to f*ck up the dick that works there.

A couple of updates… Pearson’s was recently sold to new ownership. Fortunately, pretty much everything has stayed the same including the excellent staff. Steve still pens (actually, types) the informative e-​mails. Sadly, however, Mary passed earlier this year after a long battle with cancer.
Pearson’s is still the standard by which a wine shop should be measured!

The first time I entered Pearson’s, it was like the gods smiled upon me and decided to introduce me to wine heaven. Rows and rows of shelves and racks of wine. And I saw, and it was good.
There’s not much more describing that I can do that the other reviewers haven’t handled, so I’ll reiterate. Pretty much any wine you can imagine, at reasonable prices. I have found a couple of the wines they carry for cheaper at Whole Foods and Safeway, but it’s a bit of a roll of the dice. Never more than $ 5 difference.
The people who work there have a great interest in being a neighborhood store. The first time I ever went in, one of the owners remarked that I looked exactly like a long-​time customer and so she was confused when I handed her my ID and it wasn’t who she thought! They like to get to know their customers and keep an eye on what items people are interested in. I’m sure they’re great for party supplies as they sell ice as well. A wonderful place with wonderful people!

The thing my friends and I like about this liquor store is the large selection of «baby» alcohol bottles. These airplane-​sized doses of alcohol are in a huge barrel near the cash register, with a sign that says something like «.99 cents. You can’t buy less than six. DON’T ASK WHY.» Our guess about this rule is that it prevents homeless people from buying more booze. Why Pearson’s feels that the homeless should be deprived of alcohol — I’m not sure.
Pearson’s also has parking along the side, which is very convenient, since there usually aren’t many available spaces in Glover Park. They often have someone watching the lot like a hawk, so be careful if you decide to park here and then frolic aimlessly around the neighborhood. They might tow you.