This 12 months’s World Cup in Qatar is predicted to draw tens of millions of soccer followers from all corners of the globe.
And plenty of of them may fancy an alcoholic beverage as soon as they land. However are you able to drink alcohol in Qatar? Here is every little thing it’s good to know.
Are you able to drink alcohol in Qatar?
Alcohol isn’t unlawful in Qatar, however there may be zero tolerance for consuming in public and being drunk in public is a criminal offense.
Native regulation and customs mirror the truth that Qatar is an Islamic nation – subsequently it is best to respect these legal guidelines and customs always and guarantee your actions don’t offend.
Ingesting in a public place may end in a jail sentence of as much as six months – and/or a effective as much as QAR3,000, which converts to £696.29.
You may solely buy alcohol at licensed lodge eating places and bars.
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There may be additionally a single state-controlled off-license, however alcohol can solely be obtained utilizing a allow system.
Guests will not be allowed to deliver alcohol into the nation, nor are they permitted to buy on the nation’s lone liquor retailer positioned on the outskirts of Doha.
The authorized consuming age in Qatar is 21, and institutions serving alcohol will ask for authentic photograph ID upon entry.
Fifa chiefs have agreed with the Muslim host nation that bars at stadiums will probably be shut between kick-off and the ultimate whistle – throughout this 12 months’s World Cup.
However followers will be capable to purchase beer, wine and spirits earlier than and after matches after they get to the grounds – in designated particular consuming zones.
Formal affirmation of consuming guidelines will come earlier than the match, which begins in Doha on November 21.
Worldwide lodges will serve alcohol as will the official Fifa fan zone in Al Bidda Park within the centre of the capital metropolis – though bars could have restricted hours.
How a lot does alcohol value in Qatar?
In 2019, Qatar launched the ‘sin tax’ – doubling the costs of alcohol in a single day.
It was launched by Qatar’s Basic Authority of Customs, in a 30-page checklist of latest costs for beer, wines and spirits – citing the introduction of a 100 per cent ‘excise tax’.
The value of alcohol varies – nonetheless, guests can count on to pay via the nostril for an alcoholic beverage of their selection.
Examples of the price of alcohol in Qatar embrace – a 100cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin costing a staggering £73.
A a 75cl of wine prices £18.50 and a 24-pack of Heineken 330ml beers value £84.
With this being stated, soccer followers can count on the costs of alcohol to be eye-watering – with beers anticipating to value round £10 a pint.
Qatar’s common pint prices £9.98, greater than double the UK’s value of £4.07.
