Is alcohol legal in Dubai?

Asked by: Mr. Wilson Senger MD  |  Last update: September 10, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (10 votes)

Alcohol. UAE Residents can drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues. Liquor licences are still required for Residents in Dubai but are no longer required for Residents in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates (save for Emirate of Sharjah) to purchase alcohol for personal consumption.

Can I drink alcohol in my hotel room in Dubai?

Drinking Is A-OK, in the Right Places

Tourists are permitted to drink in licensed restaurants, hotels and bars attached to licensed hotels. It is unacceptable and punishable to drink in public places—even beaches. Dubai is incredibly strict about public drunkenness and has zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

What happens if you get caught with alcohol in Dubai?

Punishment for a person caught drunk or drinking without an alcohol permit includes imprisonment for a period of six months or a fine of Dh5,000 or both. This is according to the UAE Alcohol Law of 1972.

Can you drink in your house in Dubai?

UAE Residents can drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues. Liquor licences are still required for Residents in Dubai but are no longer required for Residents in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates (save for Emirate of Sharjah) to purchase alcohol for personal consumption.

Do restaurants serve alcohol in Dubai?

There are a multitude of hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants that serve alcohol. So yes, alcohol is FULLY legal in Dubai! This applies to both tourists and residents who are over the age of 21. One of the Dubai drinking laws is that the venue needs to be attached to a hotel in order to serve alcohol.

Dubai Alcohol laws | License | Stores

19 related questions found

Can unmarried couples go to Dubai?

In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue. This is especially true in Dubai's mega luxury hotels, which mainly cater to foreigners.

Can you kiss in Dubai?

It does not matter if one party kisses the other on the lips, on the cheek, or in a private place that would get them locked upon any part of the world; kissing is forbidden in public places in Dubai.

Are unmarried couples allowed in Dubai?

Sexual relationships or unmarried couples cohabiting is illegal in Dubai. Cohabiting, including in hotels, is also illegal, however most hotels in Dubai do not enforce an 'only married couples' rule. The luxury hotels which mostly cater to foreigners are especially relaxed.

Can I wear shorts in Dubai?

Can you wear shorts in Dubai? There are no fixed rules regarding wearing shorts. When it comes to wearing shorts in Dubai, even in case of tourists, remember that thigh grazing shorts, hot shorts, booty shorts and mini-skirts that barely cover may not be a good choice in Dubai, unless you are wearing them at a beach.

Can you smoke in Dubai?

Normal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape, heating tobacco, and other tobacco products are all legal in Dubai. Only if you use it in a location where smoking is prohibited, such as an outdoor smoking cabin. Smokers caught using an e-cigarette in a banned place face a fine of up to Dh 2.000.

What is forbidden in Dubai?

Dubai severely punishes acts that many Western travelers would never even imagine are illegal, including drinking alcohol without a permit, holding hands, sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex other than your spouse, taking pictures of other people, offensive language or gestures, and unsanctioned social ...

Are tattoos allowed in Dubai?

While many believe it is illegal to get a tattoo in the UAE, there is no law prohibiting it. However, tattoos are deemed a form of self-injury, something which is forbidden in Islamic culture. Do you have any visible tattoos on your body? It is illegal to get a tattoo by an unlicensed artist due to the health risk.

Can I share a room with my girlfriend in Dubai?

Although according to the Islamic Shariah law it is illegal for unmarried couples to share a room at a hotel, the UAE has gone through a transformative relaxation of regulations in 2020 in an effort to improve its global image. Therefore, it is absolutely legal for an unmarried couple to share a room in Dubai.

How do female tourists dress in Dubai?

The general rule regarding dressing in public in Dubai is to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and your knees. It's best to refrain from wearing clothing that is too tight or too revealing for both men and women. It's a good idea to carry a light sweater or shawl with you when going out into public places.

Can I buy condoms in Dubai?

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Can you hug a man in Dubai?

- Public displays of affection should be minimal – holding hands is acceptable but kissing and hugging in public is not. - Noise disruptions, bad language, making obscene gestures and showing disrespect in any way to Dubai's religion or its leaders are all forbidden and may land you in legal trouble.

What you should not do in Dubai?

15 Things Not To Do In Dubai
  • Do Not Use Your Left Hand To Greet Anyone.
  • Do Not Indulge In PDA.
  • Do Not Dress Inappropriately.
  • Do Not Cuss In Public.
  • Do Not Take Photographs Without Permission.
  • Do Not Carry All Your Medicines.
  • Do Not Eat-In Public During Ramadan.
  • Do Not Make Rude Hand Gestures While Driving.

Does Dubai still have slaves?

In Dubai slavery does not stop at construction labor exploitation. Another bastion of human rights violations in the city is the servitude and abuse of thousands of migrant domestic worker women.

Can I hold my wife's hand in Dubai?

Married couples holding hands "is tolerated" but the Foreign Office suggests all open displays of affection are "generally not tolerated.” Kissing is also not allowed.

Do you have to wear hijab in Dubai?

No, women are not required to cover their hair in Dubai. This might be required at certain religious places, but places that have this requirement usually also offer to borrow appropriate clothing to cover up.

Can you drink the water in Dubai?

Generally speaking, yes, you can drink tap water in Dubai.

Can I have a girlfriend in Dubai?

To many couples' relief in November 2020 the situation has changed. The UAE government has introduced the latest edition of the penal code which now officially allows people of unmarried couples to live together.

Why you shouldn't go to Dubai?

Aside from petty crime such as pickpocketing, scams and sexual harassment, person-on-person crime is not much of a concern for tourists in Dubai. Another thing tourists need to remember is that despite Dubai being moderate and open towards Westerners, it is not a democratic society.

Can you drink alcohol in Dubai Airport?

alcohol consumption is not prohibited on our flights. Furthermore, alcohol is also served in the lounge in Dubai airport and available for purchase in the Duty Free.”

Can I smoke on the beach in Dubai?

Smoking in public places

Dubai Municipality banned smoking shisha in parks, beaches and all public recreational areas in Dubai.