Select Beer & Wine House

Select Beer & Wine House sits on Ipapantis street in Fira, the capital of Santorini, and operates as a specialist drinks retail shop rather than a bar or restaurant. The focus is on a curated selection of beers and wines — a different proposition from the generic supermarket shelves and the wine-tasting rooms that dominate the island's drinking scene.

For travelers who want to pick up something specific — a bottle of local Assyrtiko to drink on the caldera terrace, a craft beer for the apartment, or a gift to carry home — having a dedicated shop with extended evening hours is genuinely useful. The address on Ipapantis puts it within walking distance of Fira's main streets, making a quick detour straightforward.

The shop's Google rating of 3.5 from 317 reviews suggests a mixed reception, which is worth factoring in before making a special trip. That said, the volume of reviews confirms it is well-known among visitors and locals alike.

What to Expect

Select Beer & Wine House is a retail shop, not a tasting venue or bar. You can browse and buy bottles to take away rather than sit and drink on site. The stock, based on the shop's positioning as a specialist, covers a broader range of beer styles and wine labels than a typical Santorini convenience store or tourist minimarket.

On the wine side, Santorini is one of Greece's most productive wine regions, built on the volcanic soil of the caldera. Local varieties — Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri — are widely produced by estates such as Santo Wines, Gaia, and Domaine Sigalas, and a specialist shop on the island is well-placed to carry bottles from across the denomination. Whether Select stocks island wines exclusively or mixes in mainland and international labels is not confirmed in available information, so it is worth checking on arrival or calling ahead.

On the beer side, Greece has developed a growing craft brewing scene over the past decade, and specialty bottle shops in popular tourist destinations often carry small-run Greek labels alongside Belgian, German, and British imports. The range here is described as curated, which typically implies more selection depth than a convenience store.

The shop runs from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM every day of the week, including weekends, which means it is available both for daytime browsing and for late-evening top-ups after dinner.

How to Get There

The shop is located on Ipapantis, a street in central Fira (officially Thira), the island's main town. Fira sits on the western edge of Santorini along the caldera rim, roughly in the centre of the island's western coast.

If you are staying in Fira, Ipapantis is walkable from most accommodation. From the main square (Theotokopoulou), head toward the caldera-side streets and follow signs or use the coordinates (36.4182214, 25.4314556) on Google Maps for the exact position.

From other parts of the island — Oia, Imerovigli, Akrotiri, Perissa — you will need a car, taxi, or the public KTEL bus, which stops at Fira's central bus terminal a short walk from the shop. Parking in central Fira is limited; if driving, use the public parking area at the edge of town and walk in.

Fira is also accessible by cable car or donkey path from the old port (Fira Skala) if you arrive by cruise tender, though the shop is a few minutes' walk from the cable car upper station.

Best Time to Visit

The shop is open year-round (hours should be confirmed outside peak season), seven days a week, from mid-morning through late evening. For shopping purposes, timing is mainly about avoiding Fira's foot-traffic peaks.

July and August bring the heaviest crowds to central Fira, particularly in the late afternoon and evening as cruise passengers move through town and dinner crowds build. If you want to browse without pressure, aim for the first couple of hours after opening — 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — when the streets are quieter and the heat is still manageable in spring and autumn.

Santorini's shoulder season (April–May and September–October) offers cooler temperatures and noticeably thinner crowds in Fira, making it a more relaxed time to explore the town's independent shops. The shop's late closing time of 11:30 PM is particularly useful in summer, when evenings are warm and long and many visitors prefer shopping after dinner.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead if you are looking for something specific. The phone number is +30 2286 022328. Inventory in specialist shops can vary, and confirming availability saves a wasted trip.
• Bring a bag or ask for one. If you are buying multiple bottles, a sturdy carry bag matters, particularly if you are walking back through cobbled Fira streets.
• Check wine labels for the Santorini PDO designation. Bottles carrying the Santorini Protected Designation of Origin are made from grapes grown on the island itself, which is a meaningful distinction given the volcanic terroir.
• Factor in luggage limits before buying. If you plan to take bottles home on a flight, most airlines allow wine in checked luggage when wrapped securely, but weight allowances fill up fast on Santorini holidays. Shops can sometimes recommend shipping options for larger purchases.
• The 3.5 Google rating is worth noting. Read recent reviews before making a special trip if you are looking for a particular product category, as the experience appears to vary.
• Combine with other Fira errands. The shop's central location means it is easy to stop in as part of a broader visit to Fira rather than as a dedicated destination.
• Evening visits work well. With closing at 11:30 PM, you can pick up a bottle after dinner at one of the caldera restaurants nearby without rushing.

Practical Information

Select Beer & Wine House operates as a retail drinks shop on Ipapantis street in Fira, Santorini. It is open every day from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM.

Address: Ipapantis, Thira 847 00, Greece Phone: +30 2286 022328 Website: select-santorini.com Coordinates: 36.4182214, 25.4314556 Google rating: 3.5 / 5 (317 reviews)

Note that the website was not returning full content at the time of writing — it appeared to be in a setup phase — so the most reliable way to confirm current stock, hours outside summer season, or pricing is to call the shop directly.

No social media profiles are publicly listed for the shop at this time.