ENO Fine Wines in Providence, Rhode Island, is more like visiting a library than a liquor store. This is the antithesis of the sticky, neon-lit package stores of yore. Located in downtown at 225 Westminster Street, this part of the city is full of hip boutiques and eateries.
What brought me to ENO Fine Wines initially was Heady Topper. After enjoying the elusive beer at Ogie’s Trailer Park, I quickly searched to find if any nearby store was carrying it. ENO was the closest, so away I went. With “fine wines” in the name, I wasn’t expecting a smokey dive of a store, but I was not expecting this!
ENO Fine Wines
Climb up a couple of stairs to enter the main part of the store. Wood-lined cabinets and shelves filled with wine and spirits are displayed from floor to ceiling on all sides of the room. Adjoining this is a long hallway-like room. On the far side is a cooler full of beer, from craft favorites such as Lawson’s, Exhibit “A,” and Other Half to crowd-pleasing domestics. Across are non-chilled beers. These include Saison, aged beers, and sours, including many rare finds.
The Heady Topper (and Focal Banger) are kept in the back, so I had to ask for them, but I was able to leave with a four-pack of each. A few weeks later when I ventured back, I left with another four-pack of both. It was nice to fill the fridge with these since I had not been able to get to Vermont recently. I also grabbed a large bottle of Saison Rue by Bruery Terreux.
During my latest visit, there was no Alchemist. I settled on a Briefcase Porter from Exhibit “A” Brewing and Lawson’s Hopzilla. And those library-like shelves? They are actually saved from an 1800s courthouse in Pennsylvania. The next time you’re in Providence, and you’re thirsty, check out ENO Fine Wines!
