Meeting women in liquor stores

[dasein]

Another thread reminded me of this idea from past experience for a good place to meet women that I haven't posted before. It's a great idea for social drinkers, so thought I'd make a thread for guys wondering where to go to meet women, or even women who complain about "no good guys approach" where to meet men.

 

There was one of those franchise type wine stores near an ex GF where I would go to get a couple of bottles of wine before spending a weekend together. Sometimes she would be with me, sometimes not. It was an absolutely phenomenal place to meet people/women. During the weekend rush hours of 5-8 on Fri/Sat, the store would have tastings and be full of cool people, MANY good looking women of all ages. Whenever I or we were in there, it was very easy to meet people, get numbers, got invited to a party or out for drinks given phone numbers almost every time I was in there. The staff introduced me to many people. Everyone relaxed and friendly.

 

As long as you end up buying a bottle or two, you can hang out there indefinitely. If you are polite, dressed well and friendly, they love having you there. Striking up conversations about wine as an icebreaker is easy, and it's not full of wine snobs, just normal wine lovers. Women were very relaxed and likely up to party and not super busy like at the grocery. You don't have to be quiet like a bookstore, not too crowded, good music not crappy and not too loud. No screeching drunk kids running around.

 

Because I was involved at the time, never got to really try this kind of place, but when I get out dating again am definitely going to. Other stores I've been in were similar and these places have sprung up all over. I think this would even work in better retail liquor stores, many have the same kinds of events and clientele, just use common sense and avoid obvious alkys.

[carhill]

When we were doing a lot of entertaining while I was married, I did a goodly amount of shopping at places like BevMo and indeed did strike up casual conversations while shopping, generally about giving or soliciting opinions on a particular product. Most of the fellow shoppers at that time were women. Instead of ordering online for the holidays this year, perhaps I'll do a little in-person shopping for comparison. Good suggestion.

[dasein]

Didn't even think of the holidays angle. Could probably fill a dance card full of holiday parties with new people just hanging out in liquor stores. Chug a lug

[veggirl]

That's an interesting idea. I never would think of something like that. Although I will say your title is pretty funny, when people read "liquor store" I am not sure they generally think of a wine shop, lol I was picturing something much different...like something with a drive-thru option as well, hah.

[dasein]

Yeah, VG, I titled it a little provocatively to get more views, still truthful though People probably imagine the following seeing the thread title:

 

Her: "Is that Mad Dog the cheapest sh-t you got? Last week it was $2.98 and it's $3.49 now, what the hell is up with that? This store used to be AMERICAN owned, haji!"

 

Me: "Pardon me, miss, but I couldn't help noticing you were browsing the Mad Dog? Have you tried the Night Train? It shares many of the characteristics of the Mad Dog, it's purple for example, and probably contains grapes. It also has a train on the bottle as a bonus... Costs about the same."

 

Her: "No but if you buy me a bottle, I'll show you my choo-choo. You a cop? Hell, I don't care, we can have a little party between the dumpsters behind the store. Meet me out back, better bring two bottles, I'm real thirsty."

 

I know, a little wishful thinking on my part, I would -hope- it would turn out that way, of course like any other cold approach, success wouldn't be certain.

[ascendotum]

Dasein are you talking about a franchise bottle shop (wine + spirits + beer), or some boutique style wine store, that is differentiating itself with wine tasting sessions. I am thinking of the liquor stores where I live and there is 2 varieties. the small ones where people generally come in grab something and get out and the big supermarket style ones. These do have wine tasting, but its a company rep near the exit aisle. No one really lingers in these either. The people who do stay the longest are older couples picking wine for dinner party or their cellar or groups of guys or couples buying up for a weekend party. There are women there on a Friday night but its over whelming early 20s buying up for a party that night.

I would find it easier to strike up a conversation there with a woman browsing for wine (assuming I was knowledgeable on it) as opposed to a coffee shop where women sit and focus on there smartphone. If women are standing around tasting wine then that would be a good scenario.

[dasein]

@ascendotum What I'm really talking about is these franchise wine stores that have sprung up everywhere in cities and suburbs over the last ten years, not the bright lights giant liquor stores or the super expensive wine connoisseur places. Would google some of these up and link them but unsure of LS current commercial linking policies. Maybe google "wine store franchise" if you want to find the names and look in your area yellow pages.

 

The stores I have seen, and the particular one I went to often, was very middle of the road. No wine over $30, almost all under $20. The store was small but roomy, probably 1500-2000 sqft, and the wines were all arranged by type with extensive descriptions. The staff were all very friendly good looking women, 25-35, and they always had cheese and some wine tasting either going on or about to happen on Fri Sat. The staff made a point to meet everyone who came in and introduce everyone to everyone else.

 

It was such a good concept, I even checked into getting one, the franchise fee was $75k several years back, which is quite reasonable among franchises. No idea if the model was sound, that store was making bank though. One thing I forgot to mention in the OP. This place was in a trendy shopping center very close to a large trendy middle priced apt complex with 1000 or so tenants, and it was in a heavy, successful retail area near a mall also. So if anyone tries to find these places, look for ones near decent sized retail and residential areas. Combining this concept with a customer singles/tasting club that added outings or nearby parties could be a really good business model. Lots of folks out there like to drink decent $20 wine at home and carry to parties, and love the personal service and warm environment. Always good jazz, blues or classical music at the right volume in there too, sometimes live. No cover !

 

EDIT:Just checked, the store I used to go to is closed! Maybe they weren't making bank after all. O well times they are tough. Dont ever get into retail!!

Edited November 2, 2012 by dasein