Where can you drink in the Emirates?

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah allow non-Muslims to drink alcohol, so alcohol is served there, for example, in hotels and restaurants.

Is it legal to drink alcohol in the United Arab Emirates? This is a question many people ask. In general, it can be answered as follows: non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in the emirates, although individual emirates treat this differently. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah allow non-Muslims to drink alcohol, only in certain places. For example, if it is private real estate in the United Arab Emirates or places where the “green light” is given.

Public drinking of alcohol

The harsh rules of the Arab country say that you can not drink alcohol in public places (streets, public buildings, squares, parks, beaches) or walk around the city in a drunken state, trying to harm architecture or disturb the peace of local residents. Licensed hotels and restaurants serve alcohol in their territories. And during Ramadan, the windows are carefully closed with curtains. Of course, you can relax with a glass in the hotel garden or on the beach. These spaces are not considered public spaces.

However, you can't go out with a drink, take a half-empty bottle of wine with you to drink it somewhere else. Thus, the sale of villas in the United Arab Emirates is the best option for those who want to acquire property in the country in order to be the master of their holiday and decide when to drink and when to abstain from alcoholic beverages in their home. You can buy alcohol without a permit (in the past, residents and tourists also needed a license to buy alcohol).

Penalties for breaking the rules

Alcohol in the supermarket is not always available. There are separate specialized stores for this. It is worth remembering that the UAE has zero tolerance for driving alcohol and drugs, and even the consumption of chocolate with liquor is unacceptable. The fines are really high, a minimum of 20,000 dirhams (approximately $5,500), and jail time is very likely.

It is also worth remembering that the country has a special culture of alcohol consumption. And bars often require you to make an order for a specific amount to reserve a table. Also bars have some kind of dress code - so they will refuse a visit if a person comes in shorts and a T-shirt.