Dubai Alcohol Rules 2025: Your Quick Guide

Thinking about having a drink while you’re in Dubai? The city is famous for its luxury, but the rules around alcohol are strict and can catch you off guard. Here’s a clear rundown of what you can and can’t do in 2025, so you enjoy the nightlife without any trouble.

Who Can Legally Drink?

First off, you need to be 21 years old. That’s the legal drinking age for anyone—tourists, expats, or residents. If you’re an expat, you’ll need a personal alcohol licence, which you can apply for through your employer or a local sponsor. The licence lets you buy alcohol for home use and drink in private. Without it, you’re only allowed to drink in licensed venues like hotels, bars, and private clubs.

Tourists don’t need a licence, but they can only drink inside those licensed venues. Walking around with an open bottle, even in a hotel room, can land you a fine. Keep your drink in its original sealed container unless you’re in a permitted spot.

Where & How to Buy Alcohol

Alcohol is sold in licensed liquor stores, most of which are inside major hotels or dedicated outlets like African + Eastern and MMI. You’ll have to show a valid passport and, if you’re an expat, your licence. The stores only operate during set hours—usually 10 am to midnight—and they’re closed on Fridays and public holidays.

When you’re out, stick to places that have a visible licence displayed. Bars in high‑end hotels, nightclubs, and some private clubs have the right to serve alcohol. If the venue looks like a regular restaurant without a licence sign, they probably can’t serve drinks.

Buying for home use is only allowed with an expat licence. If you try to bring alcohol across the border, customs will confiscate it, and you could face a fine. The safest bet is to purchase what you need from a licensed store after you’ve got the licence.

Now, what about the fines? Drinking in a public place, being drunk in a non‑licensed area, or bringing unregistered alcohol into the country can result in penalties ranging from AED 500 to AED 5,000, plus possible imprisonment for repeat offenders. The authorities take it seriously, so it’s best to stay on the right side of the law.

Tips to stay safe: always keep your ID handy, drink responsibly, and never accept drinks from strangers in unlicensed places. If you’re unsure whether a spot can serve alcohol, just ask the staff—they’ll tell you.

Bottom line: enjoy Dubai’s vibrant nightlife, but respect the rules. With a licence or by sticking to licensed venues, you’ll have a smooth, fun experience without any unwanted surprises.