Generally, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi, but a Ministry of Tourism by-law prevents hotels from serving alcohol to those under the age of 21. In Dubai and all other emirates besides Sharjah, the drinking age is 21. Drinking alcohol in Sharjah is illegal.
Dubai drinking laws
Alcohol can only be consumed in private (such as your own home or hotel) or in licensed public places.
Alcohol. Alcohol is only served in hotel restaurants, bars and pubs, along with a small number of mall-based restaurants.
Around new areas such as Dubai Marina or Downtown it is not such an issue and men and women can wear shorts and sleeveless or strappy tops. If you are in some of the older areas like Deira or Bur Dubai then a little more respect should be shown and wearing a t-shirt and slightly longer pants is recommended.
Dress code in public places in Dubai
Women do not have to cover their head, face and hair with a scarf or something similar in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, face and head with a scarf for cultural and religious reasons.
Partying in Dubai is restricted to star hotels as they have liquor license to serve alcohol in their lounges, bars and clubs. While Dubai's world-class bars and clubs are not new among party goers, its is also important to know the law before you get into the party mode.
Is it legal to kiss in public? While rare, people have been arrested for kissing in Dubai – it's not a city big on public displays of affection. In fact, outside your hotel room, it's best to avoid anything overtly physical.
Sexual relationships or unmarried couples cohabiting is illegal in Dubai. Cohabiting, including in hotels, is also illegal, however most hotels in Dubai do not enforce an 'only married couples' rule. The luxury hotels which mostly cater to foreigners are especially relaxed.
If interested in planning a Dubai itinerary, then a stay of about 5 days is the best amount of time to squeeze all of the tourism juices out of this illustrious middle eastern gem. From luxury to style to architecture—it boasts of the tallest building in the whole world: the Burj Khalifa.
Unmarried pregnant women in UAE
It is very crucial to remember that it's absolutely illegal for any woman who's unmarried or single to be pregnant while residing in UAE. The consequences of local authorities discovering that any single woman is carrying a baby can include jail and deportation.
Based on the aforementioned amendments of year 2000 in the law, the provision of 'indecent assault' has since been removed. Following this, unmarried couples may now live in the same accommodation and cohabit without marriage in the UAE.
The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Authorization defines tap water in UAE be safe for human consumption as long as it complies with the UAE. S GSO 149 code. DEWA-Dubai Electricity and Water Authorities makes sure that the water is completely safe.
The code says that only straight couples who are married are allowed to hold hands in public. Even in the case of married couples, the practice is tolerated, but not encouraged. In theory, you can hold hands in public in Dubai, however, you risk offending the locals and going against their cultural customs.
Women can wear any tops, jeans, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and casual shoes like sandals or trainers. No flip flops or bikinis. Men can wear any shirts, t-shirts, jeans, pants, shorts, and casual shoes such as trainers. No flip flops or singlets.
It's easy to purchase alcohol anywhere in Dubai thanks to the presence of such stores, however, residents and tourists both require a valid licence for legal alcohol consumption in the city. Tourists can apply for a 30-day licence in any of the alcohol shops in Dubai to legally buy liquor.
Dinning out usually takes place four times a week for the average socialite. Guys pay for girls. And the average bill for two people plus drinks usually ranges from AED1,100 ($300) to AED1,500 ($410) in Zuma's case.
Many plumbing issues in Dubai come down to blocked toilets, with most problems being easily solved. Always remember that only bodily waste and toilet paper can be flushed down the toilet, and if you flush anything more substantial than that you will find yourself having to call a Dubai plumber sooner rather than later.
There is very little crime in Dubai. Mainly because the main population is foreigners, and if they commit a crime, they'll be deported. There's also a strong police presence in tourist areas and CCTV cameras that line the streets, meaning you'll be safe if you don't wander too far off the track.
There are certain things you can't do in Dubai and PDA is one of them. In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail.
Check out the dating scene in one of the best places to meet new people: Dubai. Whether you live here or plan to travel for a visit, on Tinder, you'll find plenty of locals near you.
The Dubai Tourism Bureau states: “Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that recognises that marriage does not define all relationships and as such does not discriminate against singles or unmarried couples visiting the emirate.”
FaceTime isn't available in the United Arab Emirates. The carrier, not Apple, provides technical support for iPhone in this country or region. Might include an additional fee or requirement. Contact the carrier for more information.
Swearing on WhatsApp
Swearing is punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine as high as 10,000 dirhams (£2,157). Flashing your middle finger, which is considered an “indecent gesture” that breaches “a victim's pride, privacy and/or modesty”, will result in deportation.
Paracetamol is not featured on the MoH's list of controlled drugs4, so you should be able to take it into Dubai. However, if you are ever unsure then check with your doctor. Codeine is a controlled drug in the UAE, so you will need permission to take co-codamol (paracetamol and codeine) into the country.