Can you drink in Dubai?
Yes. But only if you understand the rules. Dubai is far more relaxed than many people expect, yet alcohol is still regulated, and getting it wrong can land you in real trouble.
I lived in Dubai for over 25 years, moving there in 2001 when it was still a very different city. I’ve seen the alcohol laws evolve from strict and opaque to far clearer and more visitor-friendly — especially in the last few years. As of 2026, tourists can legally drink alcohol in Dubai, but only in licensed venues and under specific conditions.
This guide explains exactly what’s legal, what’s tolerated, and what’s still a hard no — whether you’re visiting on holiday, stopping over, or considering a longer stay. No scare tactics, no outdated myths — just practical, current advice based on lived experience and the latest regulations.
If you want to enjoy Dubai without awkward moments, fines, or cultural missteps, you’re in the right place.
For broader tips on visiting UAE etiquette and culture, see Is Dubai Worth Visiting? Insider Tips From 21 Years in the City.
Quick Facts – Drinking Alcohol in Dubai
🍷 Legal? Yes, but only in licensed venues
🎂 Minimum age: 21+ with valid ID
🏨 Where to drink: Hotels, bars, clubs, licensed restaurants
🛒 Buying alcohol: Tourists must use passports. Residents must show Emirates ID or Licence DXB
🚫 Public drinking: Illegal, including beaches and streets
💸 Alcohol tax: 30% sales tax applies (reintroduced in 2025)
⚠️ Behaviour: Public drunkenness can lead to fines or arrest
Is Alcohol Legal in Dubai?
Yes, alcohol is legal in Dubai, but it is regulated.
Both residents and visitors are allowed to drink alcohol in Dubai as long as it is consumed in licensed venues, such as hotels, bars, clubs, and certain restaurants. Buying alcohol from licensed retail stores is also permitted under specific conditions.
Dubai’s alcohol laws have evolved to reflect the city’s international population, and the rules today are far clearer than they were in the past. That said, alcohol is still taken seriously, and behaviour outside licensed settings is closely regulated.
⚠️ Important: Alcohol laws vary across the UAE. This guide applies only to the Emirate of Dubai, where the rules are generally more relaxed than in some other emirates.
Legal Drinking Age In Dubai
To drink alcohol in Dubai, you must be at least 21 years old. Offering alcohol to anyone under 21 is illegal. This applies in licensed venues as well as private homes and hotel rooms.
Always carry a valid form of identification, as venues and retailers may ask for proof of age.
⚠️ Drinking underage is treated seriously and can result in fines, legal penalties, or other consequences under UAE law.
Where Alcohol Is Legal and Where It Isn’t
⚠️ Drinking alcohol in public places such as beaches, parks or streets is not permitted in Dubai.
Alcohol can be legally purchased and consumed only in licensed venues, including hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and members’ clubs such as golf clubs.
If you buy alcohol from licensed retailers such as MMI or African & Eastern, it must be consumed in private, for example in your home or accommodation. Drinking purchased alcohol in public is illegal.
Recent Changes to Dubai’s Alcohol Laws
Dubai’s alcohol laws have evolved significantly over the past few years, which is why so much conflicting information still circulates online.
From 2020 onwards, the rules around buying and drinking alcohol became far more practical for both residents and visitors, particularly in licensed venues and retail stores.
In 2023, Dubai removed the annual fee previously required for resident alcohol licences, simplifying the process further. Around the same time, the long-standing 30% alcohol sales tax was temporarily abolished, making prices noticeably lower.
However, this tax was reintroduced in 2025, and now applies again to alcohol sold in shops, bars, and restaurants. While the rules remain relatively relaxed by regional standards, alcohol in Dubai is still regulated, and prices reflect that.
Do You Need an Alcohol Licence in Dubai?
Yes. Residents of Dubai are required to hold an alcohol licence, but the system has changed significantly in recent years.
Today the licence is digital and linked to your Emirates ID through the Licence DXB system, if you are a resident. In practice, most licensed retailers simply scan or check your Emirates ID at the point of sale, with no separate paperwork required.
Alcohol Rules for Tourists
Previously, tourists could not purchase alcohol in Dubai. Since the relaxation of the laws in 2020, tourists and non-residents can now buy alcohol from designated retailers, such as MMI and African + Eastern.
⚠️ You will need to present your passport showing your tourist entry stamp when purchasing alcohol from retail stores.
Alcohol Rules for Residents
Dubai residents can purchase alcohol from licensed retailers once their digital alcohol licence is linked to their Emirates ID.
The process is now straightforward and usually handled automatically in-store when you present your Emirates ID. Compared to the past, there is no lengthy application process, and purchases typically take only a few minutes.
⚠️ Alcohol purchases remain regulated, and retailers may apply internal checks in line with local compliance rules.
Where You Can Buy Alcohol in Dubai
Alcohol can only be sold legally in Dubai through the two official distributors: African + Eastern and Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI). Both operate multiple retail stores across Dubai, with outlets in most neighbourhoods.
Each distributor offers an online store locator to help you find the nearest branch. Access to these sites may be restricted outside the UAE, and residents may be asked to sign in using their digital alcohol licence or Emirates ID.
If you are already in Dubai, store staff are generally helpful and can direct you to the nearest licensed retailer if needed.
If you’re planning where to stay while you explore Dubai (including where to enjoy a drink), see Dubai’s 15 Best Neighbourhoods to Explore.
Bringing Your Own Alcohol Into Dubai
If travelling into Dubai, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol with you, but strict quantity limits apply.
You can bring in either;
🍾 Up to 4 litres of wines or spirits
Or
🍺 Up to 2 cases of beer
These allowances apply per person over the age of 21.
Alcohol can be purchased upon arrival from Dubai Duty Free in the baggage halls of Dubai International Airport. Prices are generally competitive and often cheaper than duty-free purchases made at departure airports.
Alcohol Costs In Dubai
Alcohol in Dubai is no longer tax-free. After a temporary suspension, the 30% alcohol sales tax was reintroduced in 2025, which has increased prices in both retail stores and licensed venues.
That said, alcohol prices in Dubai can still vary widely depending on where you buy and consume it.
How Much Does It Actually Cost?
The cost of alcohol in Dubai depends largely on whether you are buying from a retail store or consuming alcohol in a bar or restaurant.
🍷 A standard bottle of wine typically costs from around 50–100 AED in retail stores. The same bottle can cost significantly more when ordered in a restaurant or hotel bar.
As an example, Whispering Angel rosé, a popular choice in Dubai, usually costs around 120 AED in stores such as MMI, but can range from 300–500 AED in restaurants.
🍾 Champagne prices generally start at 200–400 AED per bottle in retail stores and rise considerably in bars and restaurants.
🍺 Beer in bars typically costs 40–60 AED for a large serving. In retail stores, beer prices are much lower, often from around 7–15 AED per bottle, depending on brand.
⚠️ A word of caution: To put restaurant pricing into perspective, premium wines can be extremely expensive in Dubai’s high-end venues. I recently heard from a friend who paid around 700 AED for a single glass of Minuty rosé in a restaurant. While this is not typical everywhere, it highlights how dramatically prices can increase in luxury settings.
Drinking Rules, Fines and Penalties
Cultural Expectations Around Alcohol
The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, and its laws and social norms are influenced by Islamic values, which prohibit alcohol consumption for Muslims.
As a result, alcohol consumption in Dubai is regulated, and visitors and residents are expected to behave respectfully, particularly outside licensed venues.
For more essential visitor rules I’ve learned from living here long-term, check out 7 Dubai Rules for Visitors from a Long-Term Resident.
Drink Driving Laws in Dubai
Dubai operates a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drink driving. You should not consume any alcohol if you plan to drive.
⚠️ Penalties can include heavy fines, custodial sentences, licence suspension, and vehicle confiscation. Residents may also receive black points on their licence.
Public Drinking and Police Enforcement
Dubai maintains a strong police presence, including both uniformed and undercover officers, which contributes to the city’s generally safe environment.
Being drunk or intoxicated in public is illegal and can result in fines, detention, or other legal consequences.
💡 Top tip: When leaving a bar or restaurant, take a taxi or rideshare service directly to your next destination to avoid lingering in public areas.
⚠️ While enforcement may vary, these laws do exist and should be taken seriously.
FAQs On Drinking In Dubai
Can Muslims Drink In Dubai?
While Islam prohibits alcohol consumption, Muslims in Dubai are legally permitted to purchase alcohol under the current regulations.
That said, discretion and moderation are expected. Public intoxication or behaviour deemed offensive can still result in legal consequences.
Can You Go To Jail For Being drunk?
Yes. Being publicly intoxicated, disruptive, or causing offence can lead to legal consequences in Dubai.
Alcohol-related offences are taken seriously, and visitors and residents are expected to behave respectfully at all times.
What Are The Rules For Social Media?
When posting on social media in Dubai, it’s important to be culturally sensitive.
Sharing images or videos that show drunken behaviour, public intoxication, or content that could be considered offensive may lead to legal issues under UAE laws.
Can You Drink Alcohol During Ramadan In Dubai?
Yes, alcohol is still served in licensed venues during the holy month of Ramadan.
However, visitors and residents are expected to be especially respectful during the holy month, particularly around those who are fasting.
Are There Dry Areas In Dubai Where Alcohol Is Banned?
Alcohol may only be consumed:
- In private residences or hotel accommodation, or
- In licensed venues such as hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants
Drinking alcohol in public places such as streets, beaches, or parks is illegal.
What Are The Penalties For Public Intoxication?
Public intoxication can result in fines, detention, or other legal penalties under UAE law.
Penalties vary depending on the circumstances and behaviour involved.
Can You Buy Alcohol At The Airport In Dubai?
Yes. Passengers aged 21 and over can purchase alcohol on arrival from Dubai Duty Free in the baggage halls at Dubai International Airport.
The allowance is up to 4 litres of wine or spirits, or 2 cases of beer per person.
Is Alcohol Delivery Legal In Dubai?
Yes. Alcohol delivery is permitted in Dubai, but only through authorised retailers (MMI or African + Eastern)
Are There Restrictions On The Amount Of Alcohol You Can Purchase?
Alcohol purchases in Dubai are regulated. For residents, retailers may apply purchase limits or checks as part of compliance requirements.
In practice, these limits are rarely restrictive for personal use.
Can You Drink in Dubai? Final Thoughts
Yes, you can drink in Dubai, but only within clearly defined rules. Alcohol is legal in licensed venues and private settings, and both tourists and residents can purchase it under regulated conditions.
As long as you avoid public drinking, never drink and drive, and behave respectfully, enjoying alcohol in Dubai is straightforward. The city offers plenty of licensed bars, restaurants, and hotels where drinking is perfectly acceptable.
If you understand the boundaries, Dubai is a safe and enjoyable place to have a drink. Use this guide to stay informed, avoid missteps, and enjoy the city with confidence.
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Written by Richard Hoskisson
Founder of The Cosmos Traveller
With over 30 years of travel experience across France, South Africa, the UAE and Greece – and many more far flung places – Richard helps curious travellers explore hidden gems, discover culturally-rich adventures and enrich their travel stories.
Published October 2024; Updated January 2026