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.
The legal drinking age is 21 all over Dubai.
A person has to be at least 18 years of age to be able to purchase alcohol from duty-free. Some supermarkets do sell alcohol in UAE. But it is mostly the hotels and resorts who sell alcohol in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Consumption of alcohol by Minors:
Article 313 (bis) of the Law No. 15 of 2020 reads as follows: No penalty shall be imposed on drinking, possessing or trading in alcoholic drinks in the cases and at places authorized in accordance with the legislation in force.
Can you drink alcohol in Dubai? If you're 21 or over, expat or holidaymaker, you can legally drink alcohol in Dubai. However, you will need to purchase alcohol from a licensed premises, such as a shop, and enjoyed in the privacy of your own accommodation.
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.
Alcohol. UAE Residents can drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues. Liquor licences are still required for Residents in Dubai but are no longer required for Residents in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates (save for Emirate of Sharjah) to purchase alcohol for personal consumption.
Minimum age allowed to enter a nightclub in Dubai is 21. However, some clubs do not allow people under the age of 25 also.
Everyone enjoys a little nightlife by visiting nightclubs. Dubai being such a beautiful city, it does not fall back when it comes to nightclubs. It may be a misconception that partying in Dubai is not so enjoyable, but the fact is that there are some great nightclubs to party in.
Normal cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape, heating tobacco, and other tobacco products are all legal in Dubai. Only if you use it in a location where smoking is prohibited, such as an outdoor smoking cabin. Smokers caught using an e-cigarette in a banned place face a fine of up to Dh 2.000.
As is being drunk or intoxicated in a public place, or causing trouble, annoyance or disturbance to a third party, while intoxicated." The penalty is a jail sentence for a maximum of six months and/or a fine of up to AED 100,000.
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.
Laws that apply anywhere in Australia
Legal drinking age – you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in a licensed venue. Selling alcohol – it's illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to someone who is already drunk.
Age of Consent: Must be Married2 There is no age of consent in the United Arab Emirates, as any form of sexual activity outside of marriage is illegal.
The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.
Germany — 16 for beer and wine (14 if with parent or guardian), 18 for spirits. Ghana — Age to purchase is 18.
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.
In order to use Tinder safely in the UAE, you need to consider the best features of a VPN in this situation. The fantastic social discovery app Tinder was blocked in the UAE a few years ago.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law.
That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.
For UAE residents, most clubs grant entry based on a valid driving license or Emirates ID. Your passport will suffice for ID requirements if you're visiting Dubai as a tourist. Certain party clubs in Dubai do not allow entry to anyone under 25.
Avoid walking around at night by yourself. Dubai may be generally safe, but best to be extra careful, especially in quieter areas of the city or on deserted streets. Some women travelers get mistaken for sex workers. If you need to get around at night, get a taxi.
Dubai is a great place to live if you're into late-night partying. With lively bars, bustling nightclubs and opulent bistros, there is plenty to experience and enjoy. In the best areas to stay in Dubai for nightlife, simply every day of the week is party time!
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.
The short answer – for non-Muslims – is YES, you can drink alcohol in Dubai. The rules in this regard significantly changed on 7 November 2020 under a federal law change, and a further change was announced by Dubai lawmakers on 1 January 2023.
UAE Vaping Rules
You can vape in the United Arab Emirates, but you have to be careful where you do it. If you use an e-cigarette in a public place, hospital or in a vehicle, the fines can be hefty. For instance, vaping in the wrong place in Dubai could land you a fine of 2,000 Dirham (around £400).