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Msafi,

I would advise you to be careful when dealing with those " helpful taxi drivers" who are willing to deliver the booze to your place because I heard some of them are informants and will tip off the police, so gotta be careful

just a few days ago a friend of mine got stopped by these goons asking him for 6k dhs. i think he just went to the police station to get everything settled.

what do you mean got everything settled? can you please elaborate? did the police do anything to your friend aswell as the a$$es

I am seriously considering a job offer in Dubai and have been reading many facts from this forum. There is a lot to read and digest. However, this thread on alcohol is not particularly clear to me.

What is this "Hole in the wall" that people have mentioned? What is involved with getting a "liquor license" and how easily, and where can, alcohol (beer) be obtained for personal home consumption?

Scratcher wrote:how easily, and where can, alcohol (beer) be obtained for personal home consumption?

Not as easy as in Italy or the U.S. I'm sure. You can't find alcohol in convenience stores or grocery shops. For home consumption, you can go buy a few months supply from the whole in the wall in Ajman. It's about 25KMs away from Dubai (depending where you live in Dubai), but you'll get there in 2 hours in most cases because the traffic sucks. Personal home consumption of alcohol is fairly cheap. Alcohol consumption in bars and restaurants is much more expensive than in the United States, in my opinion.

Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

sage & onion wrote:

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

It should also be noted that if you go to either the hole in the wall in Ajman, or the Barracuda in Umm Al Quwainn that you may have to queue up for a while, and the car park is usually full.... with cars with Dubai plates. Also you will see plenty of locals as well, with their trolleys stuffed full of alcohol.

Not saying it's legal, but plenty of people from Dubai seem to do it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if people from Dubai stopped frequenting these shops, they might go out of business.

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

It should also be noted that if you go to either the hole in the wall in Ajman, or the Barracuda in Umm Al Quwainn that you may have to queue up for a while, and the car park is usually full.... with cars with Dubai plates. Also you will see plenty of locals as well, with their trolleys stuffed full of alcohol.

Not saying it's legal, but plenty of people from Dubai seem to do it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if people from Dubai stopped frequenting these shops, they might go out of business.

The whole point of this particular section is to try and help. We are all well aware as to the amount of people frequenting the "Hole-in-the-wall" & the "Barracuda" also the numerous nationalities, its clearly their choice, however people should be aware of the risks involved that is all. Believe me I am not giving moral judgement on the issue. However you would be shocked to learn how many people in this Country who really do not realise that it is illegal to purchase booze from these places and then transport it to Dubai.

sage & onion wrote:

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

It should also be noted that if you go to either the hole in the wall in Ajman, or the Barracuda in Umm Al Quwainn that you may have to queue up for a while, and the car park is usually full.... with cars with Dubai plates. Also you will see plenty of locals as well, with their trolleys stuffed full of alcohol.

Not saying it's legal, but plenty of people from Dubai seem to do it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if people from Dubai stopped frequenting these shops, they might go out of business.

The whole point of this particular section is to try and help. We are all well aware as to the amount of people frequenting the "Hole-in-the-wall" & the "Barracuda" also the numerous nationalities, its clearly their choice, however people should be aware of the risks involved that is all. Believe me I am not giving moral judgement on the issue. However you would be shocked to learn how many people in this Country who really do not realise that it is illegal to purchase booze from these places and then transport it to Dubai.

You would be even more shocked at how many people DO KNOW it is illegal and yet still continue to do it.

Grown adults, capable of making grown adult decisions, and taking grown adult responsibility for that decision.

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

It should also be noted that if you go to either the hole in the wall in Ajman, or the Barracuda in Umm Al Quwainn that you may have to queue up for a while, and the car park is usually full.... with cars with Dubai plates. Also you will see plenty of locals as well, with their trolleys stuffed full of alcohol.

Not saying it's legal, but plenty of people from Dubai seem to do it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if people from Dubai stopped frequenting these shops, they might go out of business.

The whole point of this particular section is to try and help. We are all well aware as to the amount of people frequenting the "Hole-in-the-wall" & the "Barracuda" also the numerous nationalities, its clearly their choice, however people should be aware of the risks involved that is all. Believe me I am not giving moral judgement on the issue. However you would be shocked to learn how many people in this Country who really do not realise that it is illegal to purchase booze from these places and then transport it to Dubai.

You would be even more shocked at how many people DO KNOW it is illegal and yet still continue to do it.

Grown adults, capable of making grown adult decisions, and taking grown adult responsibility for that decision.

I don't disagree with your point here Ian, however many of the people that come to this section do not know and that is the point. After they are informed it is entirely their decision.

sage & onion wrote:

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

^ian^ wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

msafi wrote:

Scratcher wrote:Thanks for the quick reply.

What is this "hole in the wall" in Ajman? Is it a designated liquor store for expats? How can you use this "hole in the wall"? I guess you can not just turn up and by a few crates of beer!

Is Ajman in the UAE or does it require a border crossing?

A 2 hour drive for 25km's, that is some bad traffic

Ajman is part of the UAE. There is no border crossing required. Anyone can turn up and buy alcohol with cash, they don't even ID you. However, Ajman is an enclave of Sharjah, so you can't get there without passing through Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited, so you need to be careful in your ~10KMs journey there.

I'm only preparing you for what to be expected here. We have some crazy laws down here...

It should also be noted that it is also illegal in Dubai to purchase alcohol without the valid liquor licence, you also have to pay the Federal Liquor Tax.

It should also be noted that if you go to either the hole in the wall in Ajman, or the Barracuda in Umm Al Quwainn that you may have to queue up for a while, and the car park is usually full.... with cars with Dubai plates. Also you will see plenty of locals as well, with their trolleys stuffed full of alcohol.

Not saying it's legal, but plenty of people from Dubai seem to do it.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if people from Dubai stopped frequenting these shops, they might go out of business.

The whole point of this particular section is to try and help. We are all well aware as to the amount of people frequenting the "Hole-in-the-wall" & the "Barracuda" also the numerous nationalities, its clearly their choice, however people should be aware of the risks involved that is all. Believe me I am not giving moral judgement on the issue. However you would be shocked to learn how many people in this Country who really do not realise that it is illegal to purchase booze from these places and then transport it to Dubai.

You would be even more shocked at how many people DO KNOW it is illegal and yet still continue to do it.

Grown adults, capable of making grown adult decisions, and taking grown adult responsibility for that decision.

I don't disagree with your point here Ian, however many of the people that come to this section do not know and that is the point. After they are informed it is entirely their decision.

In the near 2 years of living in Dubai, I have not encountered a single discussion regarding the procurement of alcohol from these establishments without the warning that it is not without its legal issues.

I have yet to encounter also in those 2 years anyone who has got into trouble for it, but I have regularly bumped into people I know (some of the most unlikely) at these establishments.

Anyway, I think people are informed. Why not respond to this like nearly every other question with "do a search!" - why the need to play boy scout?

^ian^ wrote:Anyway, I think people are informed. Why not respond to this like nearly every other question with "do a search!" - why the need to play boy scout?

Ian, I respond the way I like, if you don't like it, thats your choice. I can tell you that many people are not informed and do not know. Whether you have ever met anyone who has got into trouble or not is not the point, that is only you, I have met and do know of people that have got into trouble, thats the simple truth. If you choose not to believe it, thats also your choice.

I really think I can talk my way out of any encounter with the police. There is just so many ways you can manipulate them, but you have to at least speak Arabic because they get intimidated otherwise.

You can apologize, admit your weakness and fault, appeal to their great culture by telling them that it encourages that you don't publicize peoples' vices, etc...The worst thing that will happen then is that they'll confiscate the stuff and let you go...

msafi wrote:I really think I can talk my way out of any encounter with the police. There is just so many ways you can manipulate them, but you have to at least speak Arabic because they get intimidated otherwise.

You can apologize, admit your weakness and fault, appeal to their great culture by telling them that it encourages that you don't publicize peoples' vices, etc...The worst thing that will happen then is that they'll confiscate the stuff and let you go...

Good luck

There are a lot more speed cameras on the road to Barracuda then before, something to keep an eye out for.

Hi, been reading the post and someone asked earlier, what is a'' hole in the wall''..............is it like a off license were one can buy alcohol?
And why is it termed, ''hole in the wall''...........to me that means a machine i can withdraw money from!

Any answers appreciated, thanks. ( exept sarcastic ones which do make me laugh but id like a straight answer on this, cheers.

haxnnxah wrote:Hi, been reading the post and someone asked earlier, what is a'' hole in the wall''..............is it like a off license were one can buy alcohol?
And why is it termed, ''hole in the wall''...........to me that means a machine i can withdraw money from!

Any answers appreciated, thanks. ( exept sarcastic ones which do make me laugh but id like a straight answer on this, cheers.

Basically a hole-in-the-wall is a liquor store, but there is no signage to actually say it is a liquor store. The origins of the name come from back when it was literally that... a hole in the wall. The one at Ajman operates both a liquor store, and still retains the classic hole-in-the-wall for bulk orders or fulfilling lists.

Plan your trip and times ahead, because these places are always very busy with people from Dubai.

Thank Ian
Better to be in the know with such important things like this huh, wouldn't be the same coming home in the evening chiling out infront of the tv and no ice cold beers in the fridge, one must get ones priorities right!

hie,
really interesting conversation.
i am curious to know ....besides carrying liquor frm ajman.
what is it like to drink drive in dubai itself..
has any one got pulledover ..or met with an accident while under the influence of little liquor?
to what extend is the O''tolerance in dxb?
..
i've been hearing that 2% consumption is allowed.
..
thanxs

tejas8 wrote:hie,
really interesting conversation.
i am curious to know ....besides carrying liquor frm ajman.
what is it like to drink drive in dubai itself..
has any one got pulledover ..or met with an accident while under the influence of little liquor?
to what extend is the O''tolerance in dxb?
..
i've been hearing that 2% consumption is allowed.
..
thanxs

0 is 0, is it really worth taking the chance?

Thing is: it's unnatural for the percentage of alcohol in your body to be 0, so there is a chance you might get pulled over and tested to have above 0% alcohol and get arrested! anything can happen down here, better be careful!

so, u mean , if its above 0% for alcohol....tht's it?
so wht are the consequenses after the arest?

tejas8 wrote:so, u mean , if its above 0% for alcohol....tht's it?
so wht are the consequenses after the arest?

I certainly do not condone drink driving, I'm not sure which culture actually upholds it as a right or a value. Like many places in the Western World, Drink Driving is a serious offence here.

The general rule of thumb for DUI offences in Dubai are:

1. Go to gaol - directly to gaol for minimum 2 months.
2. Get fined, usually 1500 ~ 2000 dirhams.

You *may* get deported if the offence is serious enough, i.e. you are involved in an accident, and if you kill someone, kiss your a$$ goodbye, as you will pretty much be locked up for good (unless you can memorise the Q'ran)

Taxis are comparatively cheap in Dubai, about the same for 1 or 2 drinks on the town, and are a much safer means of getting home.

If you get caught transporting liquor AND you fail the alochol test, this is a double offence and likely to put yourself in serious shit.

Edit: not, you may also lose your job, but you also may not. This is pretty much limited to the discretion of the company - although if you work for a prominent company in Dubai or the Govt. you will probably have your contract cancelled. I know it states explicitly in my Employee Handbook that being convicted of a drug offence, including alcohol related offences, is instant termination.

so, what if you drive from sharjah to barracuda, pick up acholhol and drive back to sharjah, i know it's 0 tollerence, but my friends said "if we have someone over 25" we will be ok, and they made me drive =(


Any ideas? cause noone of them have liquor liscences..

Cybix wrote:so, what if you drive from sharjah to barracuda, pick up acholhol and drive back to sharjah, i know it's 0 tollerence, but my friends said "if we have someone over 25" we will be ok, and they made me drive =(


Any ideas? cause noone of them have liquor liscences..

As I am sure you have already seen written, it is against the law in Sharjah as well as Dubai. If you are caught in Sharjah with Alcohol in your possesion without a liquor license you will be arrested, gaoled and eventually deported.

Cybix wrote:Any ideas? cause noone of them have liquor liscences..

If you or any one of your friends are non-muslims you can apply for a liquor license to the Sharjah Police (If you are residents of Sharjah) this will allow you to purchase from any legal liquor shop in Dubai and transport to your place of residence.
You should also understand that this license does not permit you to purchase from Ajman or UAQ as these establishments are not collecting the Federal Liquor Tax of 30%

whats the chances of getting stopped then?

gezza wrote:whats the chances of getting stopped then?

Who can predict that, if you have an accident, and lets be fair you see them all the time, you will be in trouble.