Liquor Licence in Abu Dhabi | ExpatWoman.com
 

Liquor Licence in Abu Dhabi

Everything you need to know about getting your liquor licence in Abu Dhabi

Posted on

23 July 2013

Last updated on 8 January 2018
Liquor Licence in Abu Dhabi

In order to drink alcohol in the UAE either at home or at a bar, you will require a liquor licence which only non-Muslims with a residence visa can apply for. The penalty for drinking alcohol without a licence could be as much as five years in jail and an AED 5,000 fine.

It is fairly easy to apply for a new Liquor Licence, in 2012 the government here created a Special Licence Office, and it is now possible to make the application online via a secure e-form.

New Application Process (updated 9th Dec 2012)

You must first create a log in, https://www.auhsl.ae/Pages/Home.aspx then the process is straightforward, click on the links to either apply for new licence or a supplementary licence (if you previously have been granted a licence).

In order to qualify to hold an Alcohol Licence you must agree to the terms and conditions of use, and provide all the required documentation. Individual alcoholic beverage licenses can only be granted to non-Muslim residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, over the age of 21
 

  • The maximum limit of alcoholic beverages purchased is 20% of one’s basic salary.
  • Purchased alcoholic beverages are for personal use only and resale is strictly prohibited.
  • The licensee can consume purchased alcoholic beverages only at one’s personal residence, or at any private residence where he/she is a guest.
  • Purchased alcoholic beverages cannot be displayed or carried openly in public.
  • Licensee can purchase alcoholic beverages only from Abu Dhabi-licensed retail stores.

The licensees are only allowed to purchase up to the monthly alcoholic beverages limit. Anyone caught inebriated in public spaces or in the road will be jailed as per UAE law (including driving under the influence, where the zero tolerance rule is observed).

The license will be withdrawn upon any violations of the previously mentioned rules and regulations.


The license must be renewed on an annual basis

The documents required for registration are.
  • Digital Passport sized photograph
  • Emirates ID
  • Passport information page
  • Visa page from passport
  • Salary Certificate
  • Religious certificate…. If you are a non-Muslim and have a passport from a Muslim Country, you will require a religious certificate issued by your home embassy.

All these documents can be scanned and attached to your e-form.

To collect the licence, applicants can select either Spinneys, African & Eastern, Gray Mackenzie, ADNH (Abu Dhabi National Hotels office), or NCTH (National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels), on the online application, you will be advised when it is ready to pick up, if collecting at a shop, they often will provide discount vouchers that you can use immediately.

The licence is only valid for one year and when renewing your liquor licence, you will need to bring your old one.

Licences issued by the Abu Dhabi Police will remain valid until their expiry.

https://www.auhsl.ae


Alcohol Shops in Abu Dhabi

Once you have successfully applied for an collected your liquor licence you can use it to purcharse alchol at any of the bottle stores around the emirate:

Spinneys: Various locations
02 55 63 643
02 55 63 499
[email protected]

High Spirits: Various locations
HO Shop: 02-4449821
Capital Shop: 02-6778370
Mussafah Shop: 02-5554082
Al Ain Shop: 03-7687017

African and Eastern: Various locations
See their WEBSITE for store locations.



Alcohol in Abu Dhabi Do remember that it is an offence to buy, transport, store and consume alcohol, as a resident in the UAE, without a valid Liquor License.