Modern Liquor in Oklahoma City: Spirits Selection Built on Local Inventory and Competitive Pricing

Modern Liquor is an independent spirits retailer on the north side of Oklahoma City that stocks bourbon, rye, vodka, gin, and brandy across a price range from under $20 to $150+ per bottle, with particular depth in American whiskey and allocated releases. The store operates as a single-location shop rather than a chain, meaning inventory reflects owner decisions about what sells locally rather than corporate purchasing, and the selection shifts based on what distributors bring in and what customers request.

What Modern Liquor actually stocks

The core inventory divides into three tiers. Entry-level spirits (under $40) include standard brands like Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Tito's, and Beefeater, which form the working stock for everyday cocktails and mixed drinks. Mid-range bottles ($40 to $80) cover craft bourbons, single malts, and premium gins where quality differences become apparent to experienced drinkers; this section is where Modern Liquor builds customer loyalty because selection here reflects actual curation rather than just shelf space. Premium and allocated bottles ($80+) arrive irregularly and may not be on display; regulars call ahead when rare releases are announced, or staff will flag newly arrived bottles if they know your preferences.

The store's whiskey section occupies roughly 40 percent of floor space, a choice that signals Oklahoma's drinking culture. Beyond standard bottles, Modern Liquor stocks regional expressions like Wilderness Trail (Kentucky), New Riff (Kentucky), and Russell's Single Barrel (Kentucky), which are harder to find in chain stores but appeal to drinkers building a collection. Gin selection includes both London Dry and contemporary styles (Hendrick's, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire sit beside Botanical, Roku, and local-curiosity bottles). The vodka range skews smaller because, as one category, vodka drinks rarely generate repeat visits for educated buyers.

Pricing and how it compares locally

Modern Liquor prices within 5 to 10 percent of total-market rates. A bottle of Buffalo Trace typically runs $28 to $32 here, Woodford Reserve around $35, and Tito's Handmade Vodka near $30. These prices track against major chains like Total Wine & More (which operates a location in OKC) and independent shops downtown, with small variance based on distributor deals rather than markup philosophy. Modern Liquor does not undercut chains on volume plays, but it beats them on availability of specific single barrels and small-batch releases that chains order in quantities too large for their local forecasts.

For comparative shopping: Total Wine & More wins on selection size and occasional loss-leader pricing on mainstream bottles. Modern Liquor wins if you need specific advice on what to buy next, or if you are hunting a particular allocation that did not make it into big-box inventory. Downtown competitors like Grapes Wine Store occupy a different niche (wine-focused, higher price floors).

Who this store serves and who it does not

Modern Liquor suits drinkers who have moved past buying what they recognize. Regulars include bourbon enthusiasts building verticals of single distilleries, cocktail makers stocking home bars with quality gin and rye, and gift buyers willing to spend time asking questions instead of grabbing a recognizable label. The store also works for anyone who values talking to the same person twice; staff remember what you bought last time and flag new inventory that matches your taste.

This is not the place for speed or deep discounts. Shopping here takes 15 to 30 minutes if you know what you want, longer if you are exploring. The store does not run aggressive promotions or clearance sections, and it will not beat a chain's loss-leader price on a single bottle of Tito's during a holiday sale.

What the first visit involves

Walk in with a general idea of what you drink (bourbon, gin, etc.) or what you are making (daiquiris, negronis, old fashioneds). If you are uncertain, say so; staff will ask what you like to drink now, what you have tried before, and what price range makes sense. They will pull three or four bottles for comparison, explain the difference in mash bill or proof, and let you decide. Many first-time visitors leave with something $35 to $50, a range where quality becomes noticeable but the investment is low enough to experiment.

Hours, parking, and location

Modern Liquor operates Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (verify hours before a Sunday trip, as holiday schedules change). Street parking is available directly outside and in a small lot beside the building; the location is accessible but not in a shopping center. There is no website or online ordering system; phone calls ( to confirm current stock on specific bottles) are standard practice here.

Modern Liquor fills a space between the anonymity of Total Wine and the wine-centric positioning of downtown shops, making it the natural choice for drinkers who know what they like but want to discover what comes next.