Dubai’s image as a place for parties and amazing boozy brunches is well known. So much so, that many tourists end up forgetting they’re still in the Middle East, where the UAE follows Sharia law, and where drinking alcohol is essentially against the law. Don’t worry, the brunches come with alcohol, and there are lots of bars where you can try different cocktails, but you should keep a few things in mind. However, legal age for drinking in Dubai is important. Do you know about legal UAE drinking age? Any information related to the case can be acquired in this guide on Indubaimall.
What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Dubai?
Drinking alcohol is allowed in Dubai for non-Muslim people with legal age, but it’s only permitted in specific places that are officially licensed such as hotels and bars, and it’s controlled closely there. However, you may want to know and you ask as a tourist “What is the legal age for drinking in Dubai?” The legal age for drinking in Dubai is 21 and older, and those who follow the rules can drink in Dubai except the fact that public consumption is not allowed. However, this age is lowered to 18 years in some UAE emirates. For example, although the legal drinking age across Dubai is 21 years old, but the legal drinking age in Abu Dhabi is 18. Is Alcohol legal in Abu Dhabi?
Current Legal Age Under UAE Law
Can 18 year olds drink in Dubai? The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has officially lowered the minimum age for selling and serving alcohol from 21 to 18 years, while this law is matching with its alcohol laws with new UAE law that now consider 18 as the legal adult age. The new rule started on January 1, 2026, and it applies to licensed hotels, bars, restaurants, and other approved places to serve alcohol in the emirate. Even though the minimum age has been lowered, but the overall rules and regulations stay the same.
Does Dubai Follow Federal or Local Law?
For international visitors, particularly from places where 18 is the usual legal drinking age, this change makes expectations clearer and it helps Ras Al Khaimah match more with global hospitality standards. Dubai follows Federal law for the drinking age with no local (Emirate-level) exception. The Federal Law on Alcoholic Beverages Control sets the nationwide minimum age of 21 years old for purchasing, consuming, and possessing alcohol.
Is the Drinking Age Different for Tourists?
Legal age for drinking in Dubai for foreigners is at least 21 years old, and if you’re a tourist or you are living there as a expat, you should know that the rules about drinking are taken very seriously. If you are going to a licensed store, hotel, or bar such as bar in Dubai Mall, you can drink alcohole if you are in the legal age and have an ID. However, in some places, you might also need an alcohol license to purchase alcohol.
Rules for Tourists Drinking Alcohol in Dubai
Tourists can drink in Dubai if they are 21 years of age or older. In the following, there are some important rules for tourists if they want to drink in Dubai:
- Alcohol can only be bought from places that are officially allowed to sell it.
- You are allowed to drink in Dubai restaurants serving Alcohol, hotels, bars, lounges, and private homes if you have the proper license.
- Drinking in public places is prohibited.
- Tourists in Dubai must follow strict drinking rules, and there are penalties if they break them.
Do Tourists Need an Alcohol License?
Is Alcohol allowed in Dubai for tourists? If you’re living in the UAE or you are a tourist for a short time, and you’re thinking about buying or drinking alcohol, you might be asking if you need an alcohol licence. In fact, you will need a licence if you plan to purchase alcohol and drink it in a private setting, such as your home. The process to apply is simple and has no cost, and you can do it either online or in person. However, you don’t need to have licence for drinking in public allowed places.
What Happens If You Drink Underage in Dubai?
Drinking alcohol before the age of 21 in places such as restaurants serving Alcohol in Dubai Mall is against the law in Dubai. If someone under the legal age is caught, they will be detained right away, fined up to AED 5000 and he/she may face up to six month jail which can result in a permanent criminal record. For residents, this can also lead to having their visa canceled and being deported. The place or person that served the alcohol can face much stricter consequences, such as bigger fines, possible jail time, and losing their business license.
Drinking Alcohol in Public vs Private Places
In the UAE and Dubai, it is not allowed to drink alcohol in public places, unless you are at licensed restaurants, bars in Dubai, club, or hotel. As a result, you may only drink in these aspects if you have legal age for drinking alchohol:
- Private places such as your home if you have a personal alcohol license as a resident
- Drinking alcohol in any public place with licence, or within approved locations of hotel bars, restaurants, and clubs.
