Here you'll find a similar mind-boggling array of between 900-1,000 whiskeys from around the world. As the shop's name implies, you can also pick up some high-end cigars, … which boys seem to find exciting. (photo) [link]

A nice whiskey or cognac is considered pretty classy, as long as you're not hanging out with people who think that these need to be served in shot glasses and go down in … one fell gulp. There are around 250 whiskeys on offer here, as well as a ton of rum and cognac. [link]

The basic teas green, black, and herbal, as well as some more creative aromatic options, are available in bulk here, along with nice tea-making paraphernalia, obscure hot … cocoa flavors, and frilly cards, knick-knacks, and other gifty items. The owner of the shop is basically always there, so the service is great. [link]

Tea's not generally an icebreaker, but it tells your host/hostess, "we are civilized ... despite what might happen here tonight." If tea's not your thing, there's any … number of biscuits, jams, and other prim snacky items eaten by Brits. Either way, you shouldn't forget to also bring the compulsory bottle of conversation-starting liquid. (photo) [link]

If you're interested in some of the lesser-known regional German beers, you can find them here, among the approximately 500 brews from around the world. The shop's gift … baskets of assorted beers are especially fun to bring to parties, though this can lead to lots of germ-swapping as everyone will want to taste one another's beers. [link]

This tiny shop packs an enormous variety of beer from around the world. In particular, it's the place to go for Belgian beers and the "best of" from around the globe … (including a couple of American microbrews and mass market brands). Along with the usual suspects, you'll find beers you've never seen before, including some from points east and Africa. [link]

Bringing a rare or specialty beer brand to a party tells your host/hostess, "I care enough to go somewhere other than spätkauf!" (literally, "late buy," which is … basically the corner bodega). Ambrosetti has more than 600 brands from around the world on offer. Though this busy shop in Charlottenburg is practically a Berlin institution, its beers are super cheap -- generally around €0.70 a pop. [link]

For that dull friend's party, we'd like to recommend a bottle of absinthe, the notoriously potent, once-forbidden intoxicant. That should liven things up while carrying … the mystique of 1920s Parisian artists and writers. Best of all, you can pick up a bottle without worrying over those pesky early closing times here, as the shop is open until midnight Monday through Saturday. [link]