If you’re heading to Doha, Qatar you may be curious about the rules and restrictions regarding alcohol. Will you be able to knock a few back while you’re on your vacation? With Qatar being a Muslim country will it be easy to locate alcoholic beverages?
Can a tourist buy alcohol in Doha? Yes, tourists can buy alcohol in Doha. It’s important to remember that while you can find and buy alcohol in Doha, they are very strict when it comes to public intoxication.
There are many things that you must consider before you decide to go out for a tipple since making the wrong moves can have dire consequences. Drinking in Doha can be a treat if it’s done right. Read on to find out everything you will need to know to make your Doha trip the best it can be.
Where To Find Alcoholic Beverages In Doha
While you can drink in Doha, as a tourist, the hard part is finding the goods. Really the only places that you can consistently find alcoholic beverages in Doha are at licensed venues and various 4 and 5 star hotels.
The first thing you will need to do is decide where you’re going to go to unwind and knock a few back. You should always have a plan for how you are going to get there and get back to your hotel safely. You should also know what to expect as far as costs are concerned when it comes to the drink prices.
A beer or cocktail can set you back anywhere from $9 to $30 USD (30-100 QAR) and a bottle of wine can cost up to $80-$90 USD (300-330 QAR). These quasi-ridiculous rates are mainly due to the “sin tax” that Qatar places on their booze. Your best bet to save some cash on your drinking is to find out when and what bars host a happy hour and visit during those times.
Know The Drinking Laws In Qatar
It’s important to remember that while you can find and buy alcohol in Doha, they are very strict when it comes to public intoxication. The legal drinking age is 21 and they require a valid passport in order to even enter a bar.
If you are not able to hold your liquor it may be a better idea to just go without. Being openly drunk out in public can easily land you in jail. While they allow tourists to drink, they don’t want it to cause a distraction for the strict Muslim community. You should never drink and drive anywhere, but especially in Doha where the legal limit is 0.00%.
Also, you can easily be arrested and fined just for talking out of place in a rude way. You must always stay sober enough to maintain your faculties and be respectful to those around you. Be mindful of where you are, which is in a foreign country that considers drinking a sin, but tolerates it in moderation.
Best Bars In Doha
Now that you know that you can buy alcohol in Doha and what prices to expect, you should know the best places to live it up while out on the town. As long as you drink responsibly and in moderation you are sure to have a good time in Doha.
One of the best bars in all of Doha is Rise Skybar which is located inside the Mondrian Doha hotel. It’s on the 27thfloor and offers spectacular views of the Pearl and Lusail City. If you decide to visit this bar make sure to look up and take a moment to appreciate their hand-painted ceiling and the gorgeous chandeliers.
If you want to do a bit more lounging and spend some time in the sun, head on over Oyster Bay & Bar by the pool at St. Regis Hotel. This bar offers amazing views of the Arabian Gulf, and it’s even better during the nighttime when you can see the beautiful skyline. They offer some pretty good specials, like Ladies Night, so call ahead of time to see if and when they have any promotions going on during your visit.
If you don’t mind hanging out in a crowded venue that doesn’t offer much of a view, you should head on over to Paloma at the Hotel Intercontinental Doha. They offer a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Tex-Mex to dishes from South America and an even more diverse music offering including the top jams from the 1980’s and Salsa music. You can dance and drink late into the night since they are usually open until 2 A.M.
Sports fanatics that enjoy a good pint every now and then should head straight to the Irish Harp inside the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort. They have great pub food, decent prices, and an authentic pub atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in Doha. What makes this place really shine is their many different happy hour promotions and fun themed nights.