Can You Drink Alcohol in Dubai? Your Guide to Drinking Rules in Dubai

Australians planning a holiday to the UAE often ask whether they can drink alcohol in Dubai. While Dubai does have substantial regulations in place when it comes to drinking, it can still be done legally.

Understanding drinking rules in Dubai is essential for making sure you don’t find yourself on the wrong side of the law should you choose to drink responsibly during your holiday to the UAE.  

We’ve created a helpful guide that offers a practical overview of how to enjoy alcohol responsibly and legally while visiting Dubai. We’ll cover topics such as where and how alcohol can be purchased and consumed, who is permitted to drink, bringing alcohol into Dubai, consequences of breaking alcohol laws in Dubai, how drinking could impact your comprehensive travel insurance for Dubai, and other important facets of Dubai’s drinking culture and laws.

If you choose to purchase travel insurance, it is important that you review the full policy terms and conditions and target market determination and determine if the coverage suits your needs.

Understanding the Legal Landscape of Drinking in Dubai

Our aim is to encourage and assist Australian travellers to show respect for local culture and laws while still being able to enjoy their holidays. Whether you’re planning to relax with a drink by a luxury resort pool or toast to a special occasion, our guide will hopefully help you consume alcohol the proper way in Dubai.

Drinking in Dubai has changed considerably since 2020, when the UAE implemented significant reforms to its alcohol laws. This decriminalised alcohol consumption for both residents and tourists. This change means that Aussie travellers can now legally consume alcohol in permitted areas without the need for a special license, provided they adhere to the regulations in place.

More recently, Dubai softened its attitude towards alcohol further by temporarily eliminating a 30% tax on alcohol sales that was formerly in place and made liquor licenses free to obtain. That helped reduce the price of drinks in shops, bars and restaurants.

That 30% tax has since been reintroduced in 2025, which means travellers can expect to potentially pay higher prices for drinks in Dubai than they may have during the past few years, although several businesses have stated they plan to fully absorb the reintroduced tax on many alcohol brands and products.

Dubai's progressive stance towards alcohol showcases its desire to meet the needs and wishes of its ever-growing, diverse population and visitors from around the world. Their goal is to balance cultural sensitivities with legal frameworks to ensure responsible alcohol consumption.

Alcohol is now able to be consumed in licensed venues, private residences, and in hotels.  And while drinking may now be legal, you need to be aware that public intoxication is still a serious offence, as is choosing to drink in unlicensed public spaces. These are offences that can lead to serious legal consequences. There are further restrictions on who exactly is allowed to purchase and consume alcohol.

Who Can Drink? Age Restrictions and Residency

The first important aspect of drinking alcohol in Dubai to point out is that, unlike here in Australia, where you are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol legally from the age of 18, you must be 21 years of age to do so in the UAE. This restriction aligns with other countries, such as the United States, which also enforces a minimum legal drinking age of 21.

Another interesting drinking restriction in Dubai is that only non-Muslims are permitted to consume alcohol in Dubai. Muslims are still prohibited from drinking alcohol due to religious laws.

There are no gender-based restrictions on drinking alcohol. Both men and women can legally purchase and consume alcohol in Dubai, provided they adhere to the local regulations.

Regulations do differ a bit between residents of Dubai and visiting tourists. Residents are required to obtain an alcohol license in order to purchase alcohol in Dubai, but this can be easily done by showing your Emirates ID at a local liquor store and registering for a free license, which presents you with a license barcode that is accessible via the License DXB app. This barcode is then presented whenever a resident wishes to purchase alcohol.

If you’re an Australian tourist, things are much easier. While non-Muslim residents must obtain a personal alcohol license to purchase, transport, and consume alcohol, tourists visiting Dubai on a tourist visa generally only have to show their passport when purchasing alcohol, and there is no requirement to obtain a license. If you are, for some reason, told you need a license, it should still be a quick, easy, and free process, but again, not likely to be required. 

Where Can You Drink Alcohol Legally in Dubai?

Dubai only allows legal alcohol consumption in designated and licensed venues. Here’s a clear breakdown of where it's legal to drink and where drinking could land you in trouble with the law. 

Places You Can Legally Drink in Dubai

Licensed Hotels and Resorts

Most international hotels and resorts in Dubai are licensed to serve alcohol, so whether you’re looking to order a drink in one of their bars, lounges, restaurants, or poolside, you’ll be able to do so legally and safely.

Licensed Bars, Nightclubs, & Restaurants

Many bars, clubs, and restaurants serving alcohol are attached to hotels and resorts, but there are standalone restaurants as well in Dubai that have alcohol licenses, so you can enjoy a drink with a meal.

Private Residences

If you are staying with a non-Muslim resident of Dubai and they have a valid alcohol license, you can consume alcohol in their home as well. Alcohol must have been purchased from licensed retailers and transported directly home. You, of course, would be relying on their word that they indeed have a valid license; therefore, it is much wiser to stick to drinking in licensed Dubai venues.

Private Events

There may also be additional licensed venues that allow you to legally drink alcohol, such as those offering spaces for weddings, meetings, parties, or other special gatherings.

Where Drinking is Illegal in Dubai

Both public consumption of alcohol outside of licensed venues and public intoxication are criminal offences. It’s important to note that even mild signs of public drunkenness can lead to you being arrested or fined.

We should also caution you from arriving intoxicated at Dubai International Airport. While you are allowed to have a drink on your flight to Dubai, becoming visibly drunk or disruptive during the flight or upon arrival can lead to legal trouble. You don’t want to be detained or deported before your holiday even begins.

You are not allowed to consume alcohol on public beaches or in parks. You also cannot drink while walking along the streets or while in a vehicle. Most public places outside of the licensed venues will be off limits to drinking alcohol, so best to stick with drinking at your booked hotel or resort.

Navigating the Rules for Buying Alcohol in Dubai

As stated previously, rules differ slightly for residents of Dubai and visiting tourists. There are also rules relating to duty-free alcohol.

If you’re looking to purchase alcohol outside of bars or restaurants located in your hotel or resort, there are also licensed liquor stores where alcohol can be purchased for personal consumption.

The most popular liquor stores include African + Eastern and Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI). You again must be non-Muslim and at least 21 years of age to purchase alcohol in retail stores. Keep in mind that although you can purchase alcohol at these stores, you cannot drink in or around their premises.

You may notice what looks to be alcoholic drinks being sold in various grocery stores, most notably beer. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the drinks sold in grocery stores are alcohol-free, and therefore not subject to Dubai’s alcohol restrictions.

Many returning tourists are now claiming they were not required to obtain any kind of alcohol license in order to purchase alcohol in shops; rather, they simply needed to show their international passport and be 21 years of age.

With this said, it may be wise to expect some stores may still require a temporary alcohol license, but this would be free and can usually be issued on the spot at the store. Simply show your valid passport with entry stamps into Dubai, and you will likely be issued a 30-day permit if it is required at all.

When it comes to residents of Dubai wishing to purchase alcohol, they must be non-Muslim and aged 21 or over. Residents are also required to have a free permanent alcohol license to be able to purchase and transport alcohol to their home. As a resident, you would need to show your Emirates ID and possibly proof of residency when you apply for a license at a liquor store such as African + Eastern or MMI.

When it comes to purchasing alcohol at duty-free in Dubai, you can legally purchase alcohol at Dubai Duty Free in the airport after landing, but before exiting customs. Keep in mind, you are only allowed to purchase upon arrival and not departure. Visitors are currently allowed to purchase up to 4 litres of alcohol in the case of wine and spirits or up to two cartons of beer containing a maximum of 24 cans. 

Important Things to Know About Drinking Culture and Laws

Not only is it respectful to obey the drinking laws in Dubai, but also to be knowledgeable and courteous of the local cultural expectations. Dubai may be a modern and very popular international travel destination, but it remains a Muslim country with deeply rooted religious and cultural values that may differ from those in Australia.

Respecting the Local Law

It may be a common sight in Australia to see people exiting bars or restaurants a bit tipsy or even noticeably drunk, and without any consequence. Public intoxication in Dubai, on the other hand, is taken very seriously, and any noticeable sign of intoxication in public, such as being loud or slurring your speech, can land you in serious legal trouble.

Avoid drinking too much and stick to the recommended maximum servings of alcohol for your body type to avoid becoming drunk. You always want to leave bars or restaurants quietly and respectfully to avoid causing a scene.

We should also mention that whereas Australia affords drivers a blood alcohol concentration limit of up to but not including 0.05, Dubai has a strict zero-tolerance policy. That means you cannot drive a vehicle if you have recently consumed alcohol since the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0%.

Getting caught driving under the influence of alcohol can result in immediate jail time, hefty fines, license suspension, vehicle confiscation, or deportation. It simply is not worth risking the severe consequences, so always rely on taxis, rideshare apps, and hotel transport if available.

You want to avoid using public transportation, such as buses, the metro, or Palm Monorail if you may display signs of intoxication, since again, public intoxication is illegal and can land you in legal trouble in Dubai. 

Respecting Local Culture

In Australia, drinking alcohol has become a widely accepted social activity, whereas in Dubai, it is something that is most often done in private. Dubai lacks the pub culture we have here in Australia, and it is quite rare to see residents of Dubai drinking in public.

During the month-long religious holiday known as Ramadan, Muslims observe fasting, prayer, and reflection. The exact dates of the holiday change each year, and during this period, there may be restrictions or changes in place when it comes to eating and drinking for both residents and non-Muslim tourists.

Alcohol service may be limited during daylight hours in Ramadan, with many venues only serving alcohol after sunset. Local Muslims in Dubai abstain from eating, drinking (even water), and smoking from sunrise to sunset.

If you're a tourist looking to eat or drink during these hours, some hotels may offer designated areas for non-Muslims. However, it’s a good idea to check with your accommodation in advance if you’re travelling to Dubai during Ramadan.

Consequences of Breaking Alcohol Laws in Dubai

Australians may be surprised by the potential penalties for violating local alcohol laws in Dubai, and they can be quite severe in some cases. For instance, even showing mild signs of public intoxication can cop you a fine of up to $2,000 AUD and possibly upwards of 6 months in jail.

Tourists caught drink driving under Dubai’s zero tolerance policy can expect to be arrested and be fined even greater amounts up to $8,000 AUD in addition to the possibility of being deported.

Drinking in public spaces or unlicensed venues can also lead to arrest and fines. Arriving intoxicated at the airport or when going through customs can also result in you being detained at the airport or denied entry.

Summary of Key Tips for Responsible Drinking in Dubai

Here’s a helpful summary of the main points we’ve covered when it comes to drinking responsibly while visiting Dubai. 

• Only drink in licensed venues such as resorts or hotel bars, restaurants, and lounges.
• Never drink in public spaces such as beaches, parks, streets, outside shops, or in your vehicle. 
• Avoid showing signs of public intoxication by carefully monitoring how much alcohol you’re consuming. 
• Carefully plan your transportation ahead of time if you plan on drinking, sticking to taxis, rideshare services, or transport provided by hotels and resorts. Never drive a vehicle if you have consumed alcohol. 
• Respect local religious and cultural norms in Dubai, especially during Ramadan.
• Never bring alcohol into unlicensed accommodations. If unsure, ask what the restrictions are regarding alcohol possession in the accommodation you are staying in.

How Insure&Go Can Help Your Trip to Dubai

While you now know that drinking in Dubai is legal so long as you adhere to local laws and restrictions, it’s very important to be aware of the fact that most travel insurance policies include exclusions relating to claims arising from drinking alcohol whilst travelling.

Should you be involved in a travel incident or accident while you were intoxicated, your claim may be denied. Breaching local Dubai drinking laws or exceeding a certain blood alcohol level will likely also be taken into account and can disrupt your travel insurance coverage.

Even if you are legally allowed to drink in Dubai, your travel insurance policy may not cover accidents or injuries that occur under the influence of alcohol. The best course of action while travelling is to abstain from alcohol or, at the very least, drink in moderation. This becomes even more important if you are incorporating various activities, tours, and sports into your itinerary.

Comprehensive travel insurance offered through Insure & Go provides crucial added peace of mind for Australian tourists. It can not only financially prepare you in the event of many different travel mishaps but also offer support in the event of legal misunderstandings, medical emergencies, or accidents related to alcohol consumption.

Insure&Go may be able to assist with legal referrals, translation services, or emergency medical expenses. Respecting local drinking laws and customs not only keeps you safe, but it also ensures that your insurance protection is not impacted if you break these.

Always read your policy carefully before you travel and consider how alcohol consumption may affect your coverage. Making responsible choices ensures you’ll enjoy your holiday in Dubai with fewer unexpected or unwanted surprises.

The Bottom Line

Alcohol consumption is legal in Dubai for non-Muslim visitors aged 21 and over, but it’s tightly regulated. Drinking is only permitted in licensed venues or private residences, and public intoxication, drink driving, or consuming alcohol in unlicensed areas can result in serious legal consequences.

Tourists typically don’t need a license to purchase alcohol, though some stores may request a temporary permit. Cultural awareness is essential, especially during religious periods like Ramadan, when alcohol service may be restricted.

Travel insurance policies often can include exclusions related to alcohol, so drinking responsibly can help ensure your coverage remains valid and offer added peace of mind during your trip.

It is important to check the appropriate authority for the most up-to-date travel requirements.