There's Going to be Increased ID Checks in the UAE for Alcohol

While you should always carry your ID while out enjoying a drink in the UAE, now's the time you really need to make sure you don't forget it at home.

In an effort to crackdown on the serving of alcohol to underage individuals, bars and clubs have been instructed to ask for ID from anyone who appears to be 30 years old or less. 

The minimum age for drinking alcohol in the UAE is 21.

Nonetheless, unlike other countries like the USA - where you are asked for identification every time you are served a glass of alchol at a restaurant - party-goers in the UAE are rarely asked for ID. 

This is set to change, as managers of bars, clubs and restaurants face fines up to AED 40,000 if they are caught serving anyone below the legal drinking age. 

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It seems the increase in checks is a result of the CID finding people using fake IDs in the past few weeks or months, The National reported. And while establishments have been told to show clear signs at their entrances requesting valid ID from all patrons, CID officials in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can appear at any time to check IDs. 

Only original passports, Emirates ID, GCC national IDs and driving licences are accepted as a suitable form of identification... Photocopies of legal documents are not valid. 

To add - it's important that as residents, you have a valid alcohol licence in order to legally consume drinks both at home and while out and about.