Old Bastakia

Alcohol in Dubai as it used to be

Assumption by those who have not visited Dubai is Dubai is alcohol free!

Nothing could be further from reality. Alcohol is freely available in Hotels and Clubs to all non Muslim Visitors but Liquor License is required by Non Muslim Residents to purchase alcohol from Liquor Stores for their personal use.

In the early 1970s there were no restrictions on Alcohol sales. All the popular brands were freely available in in Cafes, Restuarants, Hotels and Clubs.

Favourite spot for Friday Lunch was the Chalet Swisse on Al Maktoum Street. Food was quickly ordered for the kids - usually sausage and chips. Mum and Dad pondered the menu and scanned the wine rack covering the far wall. It housed a magnificent range of fine French Wines! And this was just an ordinary Dubai Cafe!

Political changes in Iran

In early 1970s the regime in Iran changed. The new Iranian Foreign Minister's first visit to Dubai gave Sheikh Rashid opportunity to ban the sale of Alcohol throughout Dubai. This was generally interpreted as Sheikh Rashid keeping the new Islamic Iranian Regime happy. In reality Dubai Government has lost control of Alcohol distribution. The Iranian Foreign Minister's visit provided the opportunity to regain control.

New Alcohol Licensing Laws in Dubai

Dubai's Government introduced a Liquor Licensing Law after the Iranian Foreign Minister's departure. Slowly Alcohol was reintroduced to Clubs, Hotels and Liquor Stores and for non Muslim Residents provided they complied with the new Liquor Licensing Law. However Alcohol never became as freely available as it had been in the early 1970s. At least not in Dubai!

Sheikh Rashid