Buying alcohol

nqtabroad · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd August 2012, 05:28 PM

Hello all,

Some alcohol questions

Liquor license?
I have lived in the UAE before (Abu Dhabi) in 2007 and it was always easy enough to buy alcohol. No one ever had a permit and you could buy alcohol at the one designated shop where I was living. Even though in principle you should have a liquor license this was ignored by the majority of western expats. This was in 2007 and I am wondering if things have changed? Also I am aware this is Dubai and the rules may be different? I've always been under the impression it was easy enough to buy alcohol and I never heard of any of my friends who lived in Dubai at the time obtaining a liquor license.

Where to buy alcohol?
Where can you buy alcohol in Dubai? Is it in the Spinneys? Where would be the nearest place to Mirdiff?

Airport alcohol
I know you can buy two litres of spirits when you arrive at the airport (which is great). However I was wondering if you would get away with buying spirits at your departure airport (ie London) and carry it into the country as part of your handluggage. I asked a sales assistant in the airport I am flying out with and he said there is no problem with flying into the UAE. I just want to double check.

Thanks for any replies!

new_me · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd August 2012, 05:51 PM

Hi,

To buy alcohol from the licensed shops ( MMI or African & Eastern) you definitely need a license. However if you can drive to RAK (Baracuda) there is a massive store that sells alcohol - and you don't need a license. There are slight chances that you are stopped on the way by police and if they know you have alcohol they will require ur license - if you don't have one u might be in trouble.

From the airport you can buy 4 liters as far as I know and yes you can bring alcohol in ur handbag too. I never got stopped and asked about it.

It's better that you get a license - so you have no worries.

Felixtoo2 · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd August 2012, 05:58 PM

Not many people take it seriously but it's actually the law to have a liquor licence to go out for a drink and not only just to buy it in an offy. You get most of the cost back in gift vouchers so no reason not to have one.

AndySueGeorgina · #4 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 07:29 AM

I need a liquer licence can you pplease tell me what the procedure is to get one.

I have my Emirates ID

ynatt869 · #5 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndySueGeorgina

I need a liquer licence can you pplease tell me what the procedure is to get one.

I have my Emirates ID

Very easy.
Check these two websites:
MMI :: Welcome
African + Eastern, Middle East, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Alcohol Distribution

suzimack · #6 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 07:47 AM

Here's a question...I arrived in April and applied for/ received my alcohol licence even though I'm married as my husband at that time wasn't resident. He is moving out later this month, so my question is will he be able to use my licence to buy alcohol?

I was going to try and ask at the MMI but I'm not sure how well understood I'll be!!!

BedouGirl · #7 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 08:16 AM

If the licence is in your name and you haven't moved from the accommodation it is registered for, i.e., the copy lease you presented, then you can use it.

Laowei · #8 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzimack

Here's a question...I arrived in April and applied for/ received my alcohol licence even though I'm married as my husband at that time wasn't resident. He is moving out later this month, so my question is will he be able to use my licence to buy alcohol?

I was going to try and ask at the MMI but I'm not sure how well understood I'll be!!!

If your husband is on your sponsorship then he can use your license but will need to register him on it. Without registering he wont be able to use it as the name is on the system in the booze shops. My wife is on my liquor license although it doesnt have any reference to her on the license only on the system.

From my experience it was simple to register her and the shop had no difficulty in understanding. You may need to complete the form again and pay the fee though as you need to sign the application form to get them transferred onto your license.

Garth Vader · #9 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nqtabroad

Hello all,

Some alcohol questions

Liquor license?
I have lived in the UAE before (Abu Dhabi) in 2007 and it was always easy enough to buy alcohol. No one ever had a permit and you could buy alcohol at the one designated shop where I was living. Even though in principle you should have a liquor license this was ignored by the majority of western expats. This was in 2007 and I am wondering if things have changed? Also I am aware this is Dubai and the rules may be different? I've always been under the impression it was easy enough to buy alcohol and I never heard of any of my friends who lived in Dubai at the time obtaining a liquor license.

Where to buy alcohol?
Where can you buy alcohol in Dubai? Is it in the Spinneys? Where would be the nearest place to Mirdiff?

Airport alcohol
I know you can buy two litres of spirits when you arrive at the airport (which is great). However I was wondering if you would get away with buying spirits at your departure airport (ie London) and carry it into the country as part of your handluggage. I asked a sales assistant in the airport I am flying out with and he said there is no problem with flying into the UAE. I just want to double check.

Thanks for any replies!

There's an Afican & Eastern in Uptown Mirdiff, but we've gone down the Barracuda/Hole-in-the-Wall route, and getting visitors to bring us some bits from duty-free. Seems to work OK.

suzimack · #10 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laowei

If your husband is on your sponsorship then he can use your license but will need to register him on it. Without registering he wont be able to use it as the name is on the system in the booze shops. My wife is on my liquor license although it doesnt have any reference to her on the license only on the system.

From my experience it was simple to register her and the shop had no difficulty in understanding. You may need to complete the form again and pay the fee though as you need to sign the application form to get them transferred onto your license.

My concern is that married women normally aren't able to obtain a licence, it has to be in their husbands name, so I dont know if I can just add my husband the way you've added your wife.

Secondly, while I will sponsor him initially, he will be working, and so ultimately won't remain on my sponsorship.

The tenancy agreement is in my name!

Maybe I'll just need to be in charge of buying the booze!!! :-)