There are many myths around alcohol in Dubai: some think there is prohibition here, others that you can drink anywhere. In reality the truth is in the middle: alcohol is legal but strictly regulated. It is important for a tourist to understand where you can have a drink, where to buy alcohol and what you absolutely must not do. Let us go through it in order — this is part of our rules of conduct in Dubai.
Can You Drink Alcohol in Dubai
Yes. Dubai is the most liberal emirate in the UAE in this respect. Tourists and residents over 21 are allowed to drink alcohol:
- in bars, restaurants and clubs at hotels (they have a licence to sell it);
- in a hotel room;
- at home (if you bought the alcohol legally).
But you cannot drink in public places: on the street, in a park, on the beach, in a shopping mall. It is also prohibited to appear drunk in public — you can be fined or detained for it. And separately: drink driving is dealt with on a zero-tolerance basis — arrest and a heavy fine even for the smallest amount.
Where to Buy Alcohol
You can buy alcohol “to take away” in the shops of two licensed chains:
- MMI (Maritime and Mercantile International)
- African + Eastern
Their shops are located all over the city, often near large residential areas and shopping zones (the entrance is usually inconspicuous). Previously a special resident’s licence was required to buy, but now a tourist can obtain a free temporary licence right in the shop — a passport is enough. This licence is valid for a month and lets you legally buy alcohol for personal consumption.
Besides the shops, alcohol is always available in bars and restaurants at hotels — there the licence is already in place, and no permit is required from you.
How Much Alcohol Costs
Alcohol in Dubai is pricier than in Europe, but in 2026 it became more affordable: Dubai abolished the 30% municipal tax on alcohol and the fee for a personal licence. Approximate prices:
| Where | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bar at a hotel | Glass of beer | 35–60 AED |
| Bar at a hotel | Cocktail | 50–90 AED |
| Bar at a hotel | Glass of wine | 45–80 AED |
| Shop | Can of beer | 8–12 AED |
| Shop | Bottle of wine | from 40–60 AED |
| Shop | Spirits (0.7 l) | from 90–150 AED |
The most expensive option is drinking in trendy rooftop bars on the skyscrapers: prices there are premium, but the view is worth it. Happy hours and ladies’ nights, when drinks are cheaper or free, help you save. If you are planning a budget trip, it is worth budgeting for alcohol in advance — more on this in the guide to the cost of a trip to Dubai.
Alcohol in Duty-Free
At Dubai Airport (DXB) there is a large duty-free with alcohol at prices below city ones. You are allowed to bring up to 4 litres of alcohol per adult passenger into the UAE (or 2 cases of beer). This is a convenient and legal way to bring in alcohol — for example, to drink at the hotel.
What You Cannot Do
So that your holiday does not end in a fine or detention, remember the main “do nots”:
- Do not drink in public places — only in licensed venues, the hotel or at home.
- Do not appear drunk on the street — it is an offence.
- Do not get behind the wheel after drinking — zero tolerance, the punishment is harsh.
- Do not buy alcohol under 21 and do not pass it to minors.
- Observe the rules during Ramadan — in this month the rules are stricter (see the guide to Ramadan in Dubai).
There is no prohibition in Dubai — there are clear rules. Drink in bars and restaurants at hotels, buy at MMI or African + Eastern with a free licence, bring alcohol from duty-free within the limit — and know your limits: the street, the beach and the wheel must stay sober. For what else you can and cannot do in the city, see the guide to Dubai’s laws and conduct.
