Barracuda

Here in AD we can freely buy alcohol without a licence, but its illegal, we opted to do the right thing and get our liquor license, always safe than sorry.

Yes, my friend was run off the road several years ago by the bandits but he refused to stop...they didn't bother chasing him. The place has a licence to sell alcohol in a different Emirate - it's not up to them where you take it or where you live so "it's not legal for Dubai residents to transport it" doesn't matter to them. Fact remains, you are driving a car full of booze through a dry Emirate even though your licence allows you to transport it to your home !! As a side note - I've heard that you can actually get an alcohol licence in Sharjah so I don't know how that works !! lol

Does anyone actually know someone who was actually stopped by police in Sharjah after buying from Barracuda? (wouldn't be concerned with bandits because unless there's an accident no one is required to pull over for civilians) There seems to be so many stories, but all heresay? Would such a place be allowed to operate if it were illegal for Dubai residents to transport alcohol? I've heard Sharjah is a dry emirate, but transporting through there is quite different than consuming there, is it not? It all seems confusing. Nope and I have been here 10 years I also read a few years back in 7 days that someone high up in the police said it is okay to transport it providing you have a valid liquor licence

Does anyone actually know someone who was actually stopped by police in Sharjah after buying from Barracuda? (wouldn't be concerned with bandits because unless there's an accident no one is required to pull over for civilians) There seems to be so many stories, but all heresay? Would such a place be allowed to operate if it were illegal for Dubai residents to transport alcohol? I've heard Sharjah is a dry emirate, but transporting through there is quite different than consuming there, is it not? It all seems confusing.

Barracuda won't ask for a licence, it's not required in Ajman, UAQ and RAK.

we've been loads of times - we don't bother covering it up, they put everything in dark bags anyway. We have a camera in the dash is all but we've never seen anything remotely iffy...never been asked to show a licence either.

I am not going by myself, I am taking towels to cover the booze in the boot, I will have my phone with me, and I plan to take the 611 home. I do have a booze lisence. I am super exicted - my cupboards are looking bare.

Mary - thanks for the info - [b'>so as long as I have a lisence I can buy booze from anywhere I want.[/b'> If I put the booze in my boot and cover with towels I reckon the bandits won't bother me. So funny that these guys have stopped the Barracuda management - only in th UAE :o) You CAN buy it from wherever you want but you won't necessarily be legal. According to a poster who spoke to Sharjah Police, a Dubai licence won't cover you to legally transport alcohol through Sharjah.

Oh no! My children always make me drive slowly so we can try and spot camels or goats. Never even noticed a speed camera there!

Beware the speed limit on the road you take from the Emirates Road all the way to Barracuda is now 80 kph and this is catching out a lot of people, including my DH :(

Mary - thanks for the info - so as long as I have a lisence I can buy booze from anywhere I want. If I put the booze in my boot and cover with towels I reckon the bandits won't bother me. So funny that these guys have stopped the Barracuda management - only in th UAE :o)

I agree Chocs01 -but people should be basing their decisions on facts and possible consequences - not hearsay from the poorly informed. You're not likely to be charged with adultery if you have *** with someone not your spouse either, so long as you're discreet - but if someone complains the police will act. The info about "federal law" is incorrect, most emirates have a facility available for you to get a liquor license. The FNC does not deal with those issues, same as each emirate has their own police force which deal with traffic issues etc in their jurisdictions. As you say, so long as people are not behaving stupidly, are not bootlegging, etc. you'll be OK.

The police are most likely looking for people with large quantities of alcohol, which they then go to sell on - like you're dial and delivery booze guys around the place. Of course thee are all these laws, but they let people get away with it as there's money to be made. You're only really ever going to get into trouble for not having a license if you're in an accident or do something stupid whilst being intoxicated. As I said there's too much money to be made from the sale of alcohol for them to get tough with the laws. If you're worried about the Barracuda, then just go to the Pearl hotel in UAQ or the hole in the wall in Ajman. Both are closer anyway.

Drinking or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest and/or fines and imprisonment. Alcohol is served at bars in most major hotels but is intended for guests of the hotel. Persons who are not guests of the hotel, and who consume alcohol in the restaurants and bars, technically are required to have their own personal liquor licenses. Liquor licenses are issued only to non-Muslim persons who possess UAE residency permits. Public drunkenness and driving under the influence, regardless of one’s blood alcohol content level, are considered serious offenses. Persons arrested on alcohol-related offenses are often jailed for many days as they await a court hearing. Penalties may include hefty jail sentences and fines and, for Muslims (even those holding U.S. citizenship), lashings. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1050.html - sorry can't find an Emirati source [b'>Alcohol is covered by the Emirate[/b'>, not the Federal Government - I would guess all of the holes in the wall are owned by the local ruling Sheikh (otherwise they would be shut down). He doesn't care if you're pulled over after you leave his patch - no one is going to go after him, not even the Federal council. If someone decides to complain about you and you have alcohol in your possession or your system (whether it's enroute or return or in your home) and you don't have a license, you're going to have a problem if you have an RP and live in an Emirate that issues alcohol permits. Someone mentioned there was a breath alyser (sp?) going into one of the new communities in Dubai a few weeks ago. The Dubai police have been known to set up similar units outside the larger hotels as well. edited by marycatherine on 11/03/2011 2.2. Alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption shall be confined to designated areas (i.e. licensed restaurants and venues that serve alcohol to their clients). Being caught under the effect of alcohol outside these places (even in light doses) can lead to a fine or incarceration. 2.3. Driving and alcohol: The UAE has adopted a zero-tolerance policy in terms of driving under the effect of alcohol. Being caught driving with even the smallest dose of alcohol can lead to a fine, incarceration or deportation. 2.4. Purchasing alcohol: Buying and selling alcohol is controlled by very strict laws. Alcohol is exclusively sold by specialised licensed stores. It can only be bought by holders of an alcohol-purchasing license (this license is only attainable by non-Muslims). Buyers shall respect the local culture by carrying their alcohol in paper bags such that it cannot be seen. This is from the Dubai Code of Conduct http://dubaiinformer.com/769/dubai-code-of-conduct-full-version/ edited by marycatherine on 11/03/2011 <em>edited by marycatherine on 11/03/2011</em>

On my last trip to the Barracuda, the manager overheard me talking to my husband about the bandit. He said the group are Baluchi who dress as locals and try to scare people into stopping their cars with the aim of extorting money. It had even happened to him! He advised continuing on driving (as the damage is usually minimial) or getting out and taking a photo of their car and threatening to call the police. They do not want the police involved as extortion is not exactly legal! I asked who owned the Barracuda. He explained it is jointly owned by an UAQ Sheikh and a Dubai based company (forget the name). He suggested that although the individual emirates have their own alchohol licensing rules, federal law trumps those laws. Federal law, apparently, permits the purchase and transport of alcohol from Barracuda to your home. Let's face it.....if it were illegal it would have been shut down a long time ago and it would not even contemplated its recent facelift!

the coppers were prolly checking if the people in the car are not muslims... i think.. :D

If the police are stopping people in UAQ or Ajman I don't think they're looking for booze as licences are not required in those emirates. Last weekend my friend's maid was on the bus from Dubai to RAK and the bus was stopped by the police on that road that runs past Barracuda. The maid, along with several others was loaded into a van and taken to a police station. They wanted to know why she was heading to RAK when she has a Dubai visa. She was released fairly quickly but I'm sure alcohol was not a consideration.

booze maybe?

Just back from Barracuda...was pretty scary as the cops were stationed at the first roundabout on the way to Dubai and were stopping each and every car ! They let us go after peeping into our car ....but it was the most scary few seconds of my life !! Really dont know what they were looking for ...a few cars were asked to step aside..all in all a very scary experience !

I've given up holding my breath - just passed out. EDITED TO ADD when I came too I did a search ...... now I know! <em>edited by Dal Fry on 11/03/2011</em>

And what is this about bandits? Ooohhh can't wait for the response to this one... the never ending urban myth continues to be propagated!!!

last weekend we saw police parked up on the first roundabout on the way back to Dubai maybe this is a good thing

Sorry for being thick but what is illegal about buying from Barracuda? And what is this about bandits? I've just got my alcohol license and was thinking of going to stock up.

Just returned from Barracuda... it was *hopping* this morning.. very busy. Lots of freebies, fosters glasses & vodka fruit mixers. I did see 3 police vehicles under a canopy on the way.. next to the Russian airplanes but they were not there on the way home (10-ish).. not sure maybe they are monitoring the bandits?? Seriously, you see the police there and then go and do something illegal, under their noses? Yes... we did...along with 100 other cars. It is right next to the water park for goodness sakes.. how do they know we are not going to the water park?? If they really wanted to get you they would. Honestly, I do not think the liquor store would be there if they did not want anyone shopping there.. Its HUGE and beautiful : )

Just returned from Barracuda... it was *hopping* this morning.. very busy. Lots of freebies, fosters glasses & vodka fruit mixers. I did see 3 police vehicles under a canopy on the way.. next to the Russian airplanes but they were not there on the way home (10-ish).. not sure maybe they are monitoring the bandits?? Seriously, you see the police there and then go and do something illegal, under their noses?

Just returned from Barracuda... it was *hopping* this morning.. very busy. Lots of freebies, fosters glasses & vodka fruit mixers. I did see 3 police vehicles under a canopy on the way.. next to the Russian airplanes but they were not there on the way home (10-ish).. not sure maybe they are monitoring the bandits??

Beware the bandits. I heard they are out in force again. Much safer to use the MMI or A and E in RAK

Yep, 8am.

Around 8am I think.