One of essentially the most regularly requested questions and complicated areas of Islamic Law and native customs that guests to Dubai want to concentrate on 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 guidelines on this regard considerably modified on 7 November 2020 beneath a federal legislation change, and an extra change was introduced by Dubai lawmakers on 1 January 2023.
UAE Alcohol rule adjustments since November 2020:
- Consumption of alcohol is now not a felony offense and a license price is now not required for residents or vacationers.
- An individual nonetheless should be not less than 21 years outdated to purchase alcohol legally within the UAE, and anybody caught promoting alcohol to somebody deemed underage might be punished.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’ve got left all of the earlier alcohol licensing info on this web page.
Dubai Alcohol Rules Changes January 2023
The Government of Dubai introduced that for the subsequent 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) might be eliminated.
Read on to see the place alcohol could be bought and consumed and the way a lot you need to anticipate to pay.
Drinking Laws in Dubai for Tourists
- Licensing legal guidelines require venues serving alcohol to be hooked up to resorts or non-public golf equipment.
- It’s unlawful to drink on the street or a public place or be inebriated in a public area.
- The authorized ingesting age in Dubai is 21 years outdated.
So the fundamental premise – over 21’s ought to drink solely in licensed venues and behave your self!
Where can I discover licensed premises?
Nearly all resorts in Dubai serve alcohol from a bar or restaurant. There are a restricted few that are designated “dry” or “Family” and won’t have a bar on-site – if that is vital to you, do examine the main points earlier than reserving a lodge in Dubai.
Clubs, equivalent to sporting golf equipment and purpose-built leisure venues, equivalent to Pier 7 in Dubai Marina even have alcohol-serving licenses and function leisure hubs across the metropolis. Alcohol bought should be consumed on the premises.
Drinking 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 receive an alcohol license (now free).
How do I get an Alcohol license in Dubai?
If you maintain a residents visa, are aged over 21, and are a non-Muslim, you possibly can apply for an alcohol license which lets you 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 have to pay a license utility price has been eliminated, however it could nonetheless take 4 weeks for a license to be issued for residents, legitimate for 12 months. Note that making use of for a license now not requires the presentation of a tenancy settlement, labour contract, and wage certificates.
The license could be utilized for at African + Eastern and MMI Liquor Stores. 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 immediate momentary 30-day license from African + Eastern and MMI Liquor Stores.
NB the Federal legislation change introduced on 7 November 2020 instructed this license for expatriates is now not required – that is actually the case in Abu Dhabi. However, in Dubai, African + Eastern and MMI Liquor Stores have confirmed a license continues to be wanted, it’s now simply free to use for.
Other Frequently Asked Questions & Rules to Know about Alcohol in Dubai
So let’s set the file straight on a variety of points surrounding the acquisition and consumption of alcohol in Dubai & the UAE.
Can I take alcohol into Dubai with me from Duty-Free?
Individuals 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 beneath the letter of native legal guidelines, no. In actuality, you’re unlikely to be challenged when making your buy.
But I’ve heard of individuals going to jail for being drunk in Dubai, is that this true?
What you’ll discover is that there’s usually one other occasion that has result in the person being arrested fairly than ingesting in itself. The police will then search so as to add additional costs, equivalent to intoxication or ingesting and not using a license. The easy 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 a gray space of the legislation, as technically, you wanted a liquor license to drink within the UAE, no matter what kind of visa you’re on however vacationers didn’t have the documentation that was required.
Recent steps have opened as much as assist cowl this gray space for purchases you might need to make for “home” consumption, in your lodge room or staying with mates. Non-muslim guests can even receive a free 30-day vacationer license from African & Eastern or MMI Liquor Stores.
Tourists want their authentic passport, fill out a brief type 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 retailer will take a replica and problem you pointers for accountable ingesting within the UAE.
How a lot will an alcoholic drink value me in Dubai?
We are but to totally take a look at this because the guidelines change – watch this area as we discover it exhausting to imagine suppliers will cross on the whole 30% saving (significantly once they nonetheless have inventory to make use of up that they’ve paid excise on already).
Prior to the change, you may 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 value will go up. Let’s see if this will get 30% cheaper in 2023!
The backside 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.
Where can I discover cheaper booze in Dubai!?
It is fashionable with the expatriate inhabitants to additionally head to the Northern Emirates of Umm Al Quwain and Ras al Khaimah, the place alcohol is equipped in bigger shops with out the added taxes.
For vacationers, hold your eyes peeled for pleased hour specials, and if you’re going to be within the nation for just a few 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 need to try our information to Sundowner Venues in Dubai as many have pleased hour provides.
Where to exit ingesting in Dubai
Almost each giant lodge – except it’s dry – can have a bar hooked up, in any other case just a few key eating spots we suggest you check out:
- Around Dubai Marina – recognized for its alfresco choices and sports activities bars
- Around Downtown Dubai – a well-liked vacationer space although discovering the ingesting holes is usually a problem! We take you thru our favourites, from small hidden gastropubs to sky-high smooth 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 Taste of Dubai Festival and Oktoberfest in Dubai.
But I noticed alcohol on sale within the grocery store!
Look carefully! what you’ll discover is the “beer” on sale within the grocery store has zero % alcohol – if that’s your factor then go for it….
- The info on this web page is simply advisory in nature. You ought to look to make clear legal guidelines for your self and search authorized recommendation instantly do you have to run into any points whereas ingesting alcohol in Dubai & the UAE.
Before you go… More vital issues you need to know when planning a visit to Dubai
Please be aware we aren’t a journey company. This web site is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can not e book your flights, resorts, visas or connections for you. We could make a small fee when you click on on any of our suggestion hyperlinks.
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