Could you please tell me more about drinking in Dubai? I know it's an Islamic state, but at the same time very modern... I don't know if/where/when is it appropriate to have a drink or two? are there any pubs?
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To buy alcohol in shops, you need a license (for which one applies and it take some time to get it). However, if you're a tourist and coming for a few days or never have to drink at home... then, you can safely have a drink in hotel bars. You can also buy alcohol without a license at Dubai Duty Free at the Airport.
No pubs in Dubai, not in the real sense of the word. You can have drinks in a hotel bar as was mentioned. Alcohol is also rather expensive here.
ok, here's a comprehensive answer to your question I just found out:
"It is a criminal offence to have liquor in your car or home if you do not have a valid liquor license. Many people are unaware of this and many have been fined or imprisoned. You can buy alcohol at duty free or Barracuda but it is illegal to have it if you have no license."
Alcohol is available in Dubai but not everywhere. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs attached to the hotels serve alcohol although on certain religious holidays the sale of alcohol is not allowed. It is illegal in Dubai to serve or sell alcohol to Muslims.
To buy alcohol to drink at home you need either a liquor licence or you can buy duty free on your arrival in to Dubai. Duty free allowance for non-Muslims only is 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine per person! If you are transporting alcohol in the car you must have your liquor license and the purchase receipt for the alcohol on your persons.
It is against the law to drink alcohol in public places e.g.: in the street, in the desert or at the beach. During Ramadan, only hotels can serve alcohol and then it is only allowed to serve after 7pm.
Getting a Liquor Licence?
Conditions:
* To get a liquor licence you must be non-Muslim;
* You must be resident in Dubai (have a Residency Visa);
* You must earn a minimum monthly salary of 3,500AED;
* You must be at least 21 years old;
* If you are married - only the husband can apply for a liquor licence. However, he can send a letter to MMI or A&E asking for his wife to be allowed to buy alcohol on his licence.
Alcohol in Dubai is only available to purchase for home consumption at one of 2 stores:
- African & Eastern Ltd. (A&E) - they have 5 stores in Dubai;
- Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI) - they have 6 stores in Dubai.
When applying for a liquor licence you can go to a branch of the above stores and collect an application form from them. Return the completed form to them & they will submit it to the police on your behalf.
Documents required?
* You must complete an application form (available from the police station or MMI or A&E stores) and this must be signed and stamped by your employer. (If you work for a company in a free zone you must also get the official stamp of the free zone - ask your PRO to do this for you)
* Your Passport + a copy of it;
* Residency visa + a copy of it;
* 2 passport photos with your full name written clearly on the back;
* Copy of your Tenancy Contract;
* If you are employed: Company stamp on your application form + a copy of your Labour Contract (issued by Ministry of Labour) - again ask your PRO for a copy of this if you haven't been given a copy.
* If you are self-employed: Copy of your trade licence + proof of income each month.
* Cost: - 105AED application fee (cash only)
Take all of the above to A&E or MMI you will be given a receipt when you pay the fee and they will also give you a date when you can return for the licence. It usually takes around 10 days for the licence to be processed and the store will call you to tell you when it is ready for collection.
When you collect your licence, show them your receipt and sometimes they may also ask to see your passport. Each licence application has a monthly limit placed on alcohol purchase and ranges from 500AED upwards. The police consider a number of factors when deciding on the limit, such as your age, family status and job position. Your monthly limit is at the police's discretion.
When you buy alcohol you will be asked to show your liquor licence so they can deduct the monthly allowance from it.
Renewing my liquor licence?
A liquor licence is valid for 1 year & must be renewed.
Go to one of the stores and submit a completed renewal application form along with:
* Photocopy of passport + visa page
* Your liquor licence card.
* If you have changed employer since your first application they will need a copy of your Labour Contract
* If your accommodation has changed since your first application they will need a photocopy of your new Tenancy Contract.
* If your Residency Visa expires during the licence period you must ‘revalidate' your liquor licence by submitting: Liquor licence card Photocopy of visa page in passport Completed application for revalidation.
* If you want to request the police review your monthly limit - submit a letter to the CID Office along with a completed application form.
* Cost to renew? 150 AED.
In addition, here's a few more things to bear in mind:
--- Minimum personal income in order to obtain an alcohol license is AED 2,000 / month.
--- To qualify for the license you must be a resident of Dubai and not Muslim. (It's illegal to serve alcohol to Muslims.) To apply, pick up an application form from either a MMI or an A&E store. Fill it in and have it stamped by your employer, return it to the store together with your photo and copies of your passport (in Dubai you need lots of photos and copies of your passport), your residence permit, your employment contract and your tenancy contract.
--- The license itself is a chip card that records every purchase. The amount you can buy every month depends on your salary. Bear in mind that the guys at Big Brother (The CID) have access to all your purchase records and know what your expenses on alcohol are.
i've heard of peoplewho dont have a liquor license doing crazy thing like going to Ajman or Umm al Quwain in the northern emirates to buy alcohol coz it's no illegal there. ajman is less than 1 hr from Dubai