One of the ceaselessly requested questions and complicated areas of Islamic Regulation and native customs that guests to Dubai want to pay attention to is round whether or not it’s authorized to drink alcohol in Dubai.
The quick reply – for non-Muslims – is YES, you possibly can drink alcohol in Dubai.
The foundations on this regard considerably modified on 7 November 2020 below a federal regulation change, and an extra change was introduced by Dubai lawmakers on 1 January 2023.
UAE Alcohol rule modifications since November 2020:
- Consumption of alcohol is now not a legal offense and a license price is now not required for residents or vacationers.
- An individual nonetheless have to be at the very least 21 years outdated to purchase alcohol legally within the UAE, and anybody caught promoting alcohol to somebody deemed underage will likely be punished.
- Alcohol can solely be consumed privately or in licensed public locations.
As you’ll little question nonetheless come throughout conflicting info on this regard, we have now left all of the earlier alcohol licensing info on this web page.
Dubai Alcohol Guidelines Adjustments January 2023
The Authorities of Dubai introduced that for the following 12 months, the alcohol gross sales excise (municipality tax) of 30% levied on all alcohol purchases (for private consumption and the meals and beverage business – i.e. bars and eating places) will likely be eliminated.
Learn on to see the place alcohol will be bought and consumed and the way a lot it is best to anticipate to pay.
Consuming Legal guidelines in Dubai for Vacationers
- Licensing legal guidelines require venues serving alcohol to be connected to resorts or personal golf equipment.
- It’s unlawful to drink on the street or a public place or be drunk in a public house.
- The authorized ingesting age in Dubai is 21 years outdated.
So the essential premise – over 21’s ought to drink solely in licensed venues and behave your self!
The place can I discover licensed premises?
Practically all resorts in Dubai serve alcohol from a bar or restaurant. There are a restricted few that are designated “dry” or “Household” and won’t have a bar on-site – if that is essential to you, do examine the small print earlier than reserving a resort in Dubai.
Golf equipment, resembling sporting golf equipment and purpose-built leisure venues, resembling Pier 7 in Dubai Marina even have alcohol-serving licenses and function leisure hubs across the metropolis. Alcohol bought have to be consumed on the premises.
Consuming legal guidelines in Dubai for expatriates
Non-Muslim expatriates within the UAE are permitted to buy alcohol from specialised shops in the event that they acquire an alcohol license (now free).
How do I get an Alcohol license in Dubai?
If you happen to maintain a residents visa, are aged over 21, and are a non-Muslim, you possibly can apply for an alcohol license which allows you to purchase alcohol from licensed buying and selling shops. The 270AED utility price for this annual license has been eliminated, you now solely want your Emirates ID.
The necessity to pay a license utility price has been eliminated, however it may nonetheless take 4 weeks for a license to be issued for residents, legitimate for 12 months. Be aware that making use of for a license now not requires the presentation of a tenancy settlement, labour contract, and wage certificates.
The license will be utilized for at African + Japanese and MMI Liquor Shops. These shops are inconspicuously signed however situated all around the metropolis, simple to find on Google Maps.
As a vacationer, you now solely want your passport with proof of your vacationer visa entry stamp to acquire an instantaneous short-term 30-day license from African + Japanese and MMI Liquor Shops.
NB the Federal regulation change introduced on 7 November 2020 steered this license for expatriates is now not required – that is definitely the case in Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, in Dubai, African + Japanese and MMI Liquor Shops have confirmed a license remains to be wanted, it’s now simply free to use for.
Different Steadily Requested Questions & Guidelines to Find out about Alcohol in Dubai
So let’s set the report straight on quite a few points surrounding the acquisition and consumption of alcohol in Dubai & the UAE.
Can I take alcohol into Dubai with me from Responsibility-Free?
People are permitted to import 4 litres of alcohol or two cartons of beer (24 x 355ml max) – see present customs guideline right here.
Can I get alcohol in Dubai as a Muslim?
Strictly talking and below the letter of native legal guidelines, no. In actuality, you might be unlikely to be challenged when making your buy.
However I’ve heard of individuals going to jail for being drunk in Dubai, is that this true?
What you will discover is that there’s usually one other occasion that has result in the person being arrested quite than ingesting in itself. The police will then search so as to add additional expenses, resembling intoxication or ingesting with out a license. The straightforward message is, simply don’t break the legal guidelines within the UAE and don’t get your self closely intoxicated.
Is there a drink-driving restrict in Dubai?
Dubai has a zero-tolerance coverage on driving while intoxicated; your blood alcohol restrict is 0.00.
Can I get liquor from a retailer on a customer visa?
This was once a gray space of the regulation, as technically, you wanted a liquor license to drink within the UAE, no matter what kind of visa you might be on however vacationers didn’t have the documentation that was required.
Latest steps have opened as much as assist cowl this gray space for purchases you might need to make for “residence” consumption, in your resort room or staying with associates. Non-muslim guests can even acquire a free 30-day vacationer license from African & Japanese or MMI Liquor Shops.
Vacationers want their authentic passport, fill out a brief kind and signal an official declaration to state that they aren’t a UAE resident, and can obey the UAE’s guidelines and laws in regard to alcohol buy and consumption. The shop will take a replica and difficulty you tips for accountable ingesting within the UAE.
How a lot will an alcoholic drink price me in Dubai?
We’re but to completely check this for the reason that guidelines change – watch this house as we discover it onerous to consider suppliers will cross on the full 30% saving (significantly after they nonetheless have inventory to make use of up that they’ve paid excise on already).
Previous to the change, you would simply anticipate, at most bars, a pint of beer to set you again as a lot as AED50/$13.60/ €12.80/£11.35. A small glass of wine prices roughly AED40/$10.90/ €10.3/£9.
The classier the venue and the higher the view, the worth will go up. Let’s see if this will get 30% cheaper in 2023!
The underside line: Alcohol in Dubai, on the entire, is fairly costly however the removing of the municipality tax ought to make this facet of visiting Dubai extra inexpensive.
The place can I discover cheaper booze in Dubai!?
It’s common with the expatriate inhabitants to additionally head to the Northern Emirates of Umm Al Quwain and Ras al Khaimah, the place alcohol is provided in bigger shops with out the added taxes.
For vacationers, maintain your eyes peeled for joyful hour specials, and if you’ll be within the nation for a couple of days, think about buying “Cheers Dubai” by the Entertainer, that is a web-based coupon product that comprises reductions at bars and eating places throughout city.
You may additionally need to take a look at our information to Sundowner Venues in Dubai as many have joyful hour gives.
The place to exit ingesting in Dubai
Virtually each giant resort – except it’s dry – may have a bar connected, in any other case a couple of key eating spots we suggest you check out:
- Round Dubai Marina – recognized for its alfresco choices and sports activities bars
- Round Downtown Dubai – a preferred vacationer space although discovering the ingesting holes could be a problem! We take you thru our favourites, from small hidden gastropubs to sky-high glossy lounges
- Rooftop drinks in Dubai – from the skyrises to sundown views over Dubai Creek, all our favorite licensed rooftop venues
You’ll additionally discover giant annual occasions promoting alcohol, together with Style of Dubai Competition and Oktoberfest in Dubai.
However I noticed alcohol on sale within the grocery store!
Look intently! what you will discover is the “beer” on sale within the grocery store has zero % alcohol – if that’s your factor then go for it….
- The data on this web page is simply advisory in nature. You must look to make clear legal guidelines for your self and search authorized recommendation instantly must you run into any points whereas ingesting alcohol in Dubai & the UAE.
Earlier than you go… Extra essential issues it is best to know when planning a visit to Dubai
Please notice we’re not a journey company. This website is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can’t ebook your flights, resorts, visas or connections for you. We might make a small fee for those who click on on any of our advice hyperlinks.
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