If you plan to travel to an Islamic country such as Qatar, it is essential to be aware of the laws concerning the possession and consumption of alcohol in the country.

How to Drink Beer in Qatar
How to Drink Beer in Qatar

How to Avoid Jail When Drinking Alcohol in Qatar

Alcohol and sexual relations between minors are illegal in Qatari law, as they are in the laws of many Middle Eastern Muslim nations. So, in order to avoid jail time (possibly up to seven years), travellers will need to adhere strictly to the law.

It is not illegal for tourists to drink alcohol in Qatar, but they are expected to adhere to strict regulations and refrain from entering public areas while under the influence. In particular, hotels, bars, and restaurants with valid licenses will only serve guests who are 21 or older.

Beer will be served outside the stadium before and after some matches in the 2022 World Cup, suggesting that the host country has loosened the rules a little bit on the prohibition of alcohol, following numerous requests from the international community. guaranteed compatibility.

Best Tips to Drink Beer in Qatar to Avoid Prison
Best Tips to Drink Beer in Qatar

In the field, if a fan drinks alcohol in the stands, he can face a prison sentence of up to 6 months or a fine of 3,000 QAR (more than 800 USD).

Recently, FIFA confirmed that those with tickets to the World Cup matches will be allowed to buy and drink alcohol in a special area around the stadium before and after the match.

Fans will also be allowed to drink alcohol at parties exclusively for football viewers in Doha's Al Bidda Park after 18:30 local time.

Legal Age To Drink in Qatar

In Qatar, the legal drinking age is 21 years. When entering establishments that serve alcohol, you must present an original photo ID. It is against the law to serve alcohol to minors.

Where To Buy Alcohol in Qatar

At the moment, both locals and visitors can drink alcohol in certain places, like bars, clubs, and hotels. Some licensed restaurants inside hotels may serve alcoholic drinks, but most restaurants don't.

People who live in Qatar and are at least 21 years old can also buy alcohol from the Qatar Distribution Company (QDC) outlet if they have a license that has already been approved. Please keep in mind that they can't sell this to other people; they can only use it themselves.

Alcohol in Qatar During Ramadan

The Holy month of Ramadan will result in a greater restriction on the consumption of alcohol in Qatar. Some hotels may provide alcohol as part of their room service during the day, but bars and restaurants will be closed. Restaurants, bars, and clubs will be operational throughout the evening.

The QDC outlet will typically be closed for the duration of the month. Nevertheless, license holders have the option to purchase additional quotas from the previous months. March and April of 2023 will constitute the subsequent month of Ramadan.

Alcohol in Qatar Airport

Alcoholic beverages cannot be imported under any condition if your final destination is Doha, as they are classified as “Prohibited Goods.” All baggage arriving at Doha Airport will undergo scanning, and any illegal imports will face penalties under Customs law.

Certain airlines, including Qatar Airways, permit transit passengers to bring alcoholic beverages in containers that do not exceed 5 litres. Kindly verify with your airline regarding their policy for transit passengers.

Qatar Alcohol Laws

It's against the law to drink or be drunk in public. People from other countries have been detained under this law, usually after the police brought them to their attention for something related, like acting in a disorderly or offensive way. In this case, drinking in a public place could lead to up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to QAR3,000. Only licensed hotel restaurants and bars sell alcohol, and expats living in Qatar can get alcohol through a permit system. Not unless you need to take it with you when you pick it up from the warehouse and bring it home. Qatar's legal drinking age is 21, and places that serve alcohol will demand a valid photo ID upon entry.

Check More: Full List of Taboos in Qatar That You Need to Avoid

How much a Beer will Cost at Qatar’s Best Bars

Like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Qatar is not very strict when it comes to alcohol laws, but residents can only buy it at a government-run store and in about 35 bars and restaurants. It is usually against the law to drink alcohol in public.

For the 2022 World Cup, however, beer will also be sold in certain areas around the eight stadiums before and after the games, as well as in the FIFA fan zone and other designated areas. Take a break.

In the past, beer was served all day in areas for fans during World Cups.

The source says that a decision has been made about where and when fans will be able to buy the beer, but the price that fans will have to pay for it is still being talked about.

During the FIFA World Cup, beers at one of Qatar's most famous sports bars will cost an unbelievable £80 (AUD $140 or USD $92). The venue will charge £48 for group-stage games earlier in the tournament.

According to a new report from the I newspaper, things are getting worse at the Champions Sports Bar in the Marriott Hotel in Doha. People who want to see the semi-finals and finals will have to pay up to £80 a bottle.

A licensed hotel or club will let guests drink. A pint of beer costs $18.

You can get a pint in Qatar for about £9.94, which is more than twice as much as you'd pay in the UK. The Trevors, Kevins, and Big Alans who cheered for the Three Lions will probably all take a plane to Burundi, where a drink can cost as little as 59p.

Regulation and Law on Buying and Selling Beer at World Cup Matches

Fans who have tickets will be able to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup football games in Qatar three hours before the game starts and for one hour after the game ends.

But beer isn't sold during the game.

Budweiser Brewing is a major World Cup sponsor and has the exclusive right to sell beer at the tournament. Beer will be sold around each stadium's ticket office, but not in the stands or lounge areas inside the stadiums.

Plus, Budweiser will be able to serve beer in a part of the main FIFA fan area in central Doha every day from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. during the 29-day tournament, which starts on November 20.

Sources say that Budweiser will sell Budweiser Zero, a beer that doesn't contain alcohol, in the stands at games and in other fan areas.

It's still not clear how Qatar will handle selling beer before 1pm. While most Muslims in Qatar are in mosques for Friday prayers on November 25, the Wales vs. Iran game will be going on.

At the moment, most shops and restaurants in Qatar have to close on Fridays for prayers.

Check More: Fans in Qatar: Top 14 Bars And Restaurants To Watch World Cup 2022

What to do if you break the law in Qatar

Different Penalties for Muslims and Non-Muslims

The Qatar Penal Code, particularly Articles 270 and 271 of Chapter 3 on Drinking, Gambling and Begging provides the penalties for alcohol consumption:

Article 270

Anyone who drinks alcohol in public or opens a business selling alcohol will be jailed for up to six months or fined up to three thousand Qatari Riyals (QR 3,000). The same punishment will be given to anyone caught drunk on a main road or who bothers other people while drunk.

Article 271

If you give someone under sixteen an alcoholic drink or encourage them to drink, you could get three years in prison or a fine of up to 10,000 Qatari Riyals.

People who are not Muslim, on the other hand, can drink alcohol if they have a permit. If you are caught drinking without a license, you could go to jail for 1 to 6 months or pay a fine of up to QR 3,000.

What's more, the host country of Qatar said that if foreign fans have problems with the laws of the host country, they can find foreign police to help the law and connect Qatar with its many fans from around the world. the world comes in. The foreign police force that helps Qatar the most are the British police and the units that keep football games safe and in order.

Besides this, Qatar also asked Pakistan to send troops to help if the police in Qatar need to call in a lot of people for a big incident.

FAQs

Can I bring alcohol from abroad into Qatar?

Visitors are prohibited from bringing alcohol into Qatar, even from the duty-free airport, and purchasing alcohol is not permitted at the country's sole liquor store, located on the outskirts of Doha. Shopping there for home use is restricted to licensed foreign residents only.

Transporting alcoholic beverages is not allowed. Items will be taken, and retrieval will not be possible at any time. Hand baggage will undergo security screening prior to your access to the baggage claim area.

Can I drink alcohol in Qatar?

Indeed, consuming alcohol is permitted in Qatar. The legal drinking age in the country is set at 21; however, the regulations surrounding beer, bourbon, and other alcoholic beverages are quite stringent.

Individuals are prohibited from consuming alcohol or being intoxicated in public spaces. It is probable that there will be a minor easing of the regulations for the World Cup.

Will there be alcohol in the Word Cup stadiums?

Alcohol will be available in stadiums during the World Cup in Qatar. Beer will be available for fans three hours prior to and one hour following kick-off, but not during the game itself.

The FIFA Fan Festival is set to occur at Al Bidda Park, located in the heart of Doha. Further details are set to be revealed, but it is anticipated that fans will have to wait until 18:30 local time to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the fan zone. Budweiser and Coca-Cola, as official partners, will have their products available.

What is my penalty if I get drunk in public?

The possession of an alcohol permit allows the holder to purchase alcohol; however, it does not grant the right to consume it in public spaces or to be intoxicated in public areas. Expatriates are required to present either a passport or a Qatar ID card to gain entry to the bar. Alcohol is available in licensed restaurants and hotels for adults who are non-Muslim.

Violating this law may lead to deportation, fines, or imprisonment.

Conclusion

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is a delicate issue in Qatar. It is neither widely accepted in the local culture nor promoted at public meetings. Individuals desiring to consume alcohol in moderation may do so in their own homes or in a private setting. The sole stipulation is that the alcohol must be acquired legally, and its consumption should not pose any public disturbances.

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