Dubai is a city of contradictions. And for many visitors and residents, this is one of the biggest reasons for the emirate’s allure. You’ll find lush gardens amidst a harsh natural environment. Dazzling skyscrapers and centuries-old souks. Futuristic megamalls and the world’s oldest mosques. A culture driven by both age-old traditions and modern global values. Hot chocolate in a subzero lounge… You get the drift.
Wine aficionados would also notice the contradiction in the way wine can be enjoyed in Dubai: the choices are incredibly impressive, but there are strict limits on consuming, buying and carrying alcohol, as expected in any Muslim country.
If you’re visiting or staying in Dubai, here’s what you need to know about its wine scene:
Image Source : Wotif
1. Must-try wine experiences
Dubai is called the City of Gold for obvious reasons, and its decadent wine scene offers one of the finest reasons why the nickname fits. Who can forget that the most expensive red in the world – a 12-litre bottle of Château Margaux 2009 priced at Dh716,235 (around $195,000) – was unveiled here?
Moreover, the leading liquor shops boast a global selection of labels curated mostly for a cosmopolitan market with a taste for first-rate wine and spirits. The city is also home to a number of high-end, award-winning wine bars.
- Enter the two private rooms at the Oeno Wine Bar at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi: One is dedicated to wine tasting while the other is for sampling cheese from all over the world.
- Toast to the sunset at Pure Sky Lounge, a glamorous outdoor bar overlooking the Arabian Gulf and located on the 35th floor of Hilton Dubai The Walk.
- Make some fine grape discoveries with the help of the well-versed staff at Oscar’s Vine Society, or simply savor your Prosecco while an Édith Piaf record plays in the background in this French-inspired bistro.
- Sip your favorite red while lounging in one of the daybeds inside The Cave. Its beverage list is a Parisian lover’s dream, describing the Bourgogne Rouge Couvent des Jacobins as “soft & slurpable” and the Domaine du Bois Brûlé – Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie as “fresh & racy.”
- Indulge in a cheese and wine night at Vintage Cheese and Wine bar which serves an exquisite spread of cheeses and cold cuts with unlimited (selected) wine. Have a taste of the Mediterranean with BOCA’s French, Italian and Spanish wines served with delectable cheese and tapas. Or wash down a feast of fried cheese and fondue with some fine wine at Media One’s cozy and casual Café M.
2. Drinking laws
Before you enjoy all these, however, it’s important to understand the alcohol laws in Dubai. Drinking in public spaces (streets, parks, beaches, etc.) is a no-no. Openly carrying wine in public is prohibited. Appearing intoxicated in public can lead to jail time, large fines and visa penalties.
Tourists and expats are allowed to drink in establishments such as hotels, bars and hotels, provided that these venues are licensed to serve alcohol. Visitors may also stop by the duty-free shop at Dubai airport but they need to abide by the purchase limits set by Dubai Customs. Drinking, needless to say, must be done in private.
Outside these leisure and hospitality venues, you can only buy wine from a select number of liquor stores with branches in strategic locations all over the city.
3. Getting an alcohol licence
Take note that you can only buy alcohol from a liquor store in Dubai if you have an alcohol licence. You also need to be a licence holder to be able to transport alcohol to your home and store it there.
No license yet? The process is fast and simple. You can actually complete your application in the liquor store itself. You may also apply online, or have the license delivered to your door.
Image Source : WION
Expat advice
If you plan to work and stay in Dubai for a while, getting an alcohol license is highly recommended – if not a must. With all the fine wine experiences Dubai has to offer, knowing and following the rules will allow you to eat, drink and be merry without worries.
