Best Tips to Drink Beer Legally in Qatar to Avoid Prison
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| How to Drink Beer in Qatar |
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Update: Qatar bans beer from World Cup stadiumsFIFA on the afternoon of November 18 confirmed that Qatar will ban the sale of alcohol at stadiums where matches of the 2022 World Cup will be held. Plans had called for alcohol to be sold on stadium concourses, but this will now not happen - reportedly after pressure from Qatar's all-powerful royal family. Alcohol will be available as normal in licenced hotels and restaurants. |
How to Avoid Jail When Drinking Alcohol in Qatar
At the World Cups, alcohol is an indispensable thing in the fun of the fans, but going to Qatar, everything will be more strictly controlled.
The laws of Qatar, like many Muslim countries in the Middle East, prohibit alcohol and sex outside of marriage. Therefore, fans who come to enjoy the 2022 World Cup will have to strictly follow the law here if they do not want to go to jail (possibly up to 7 years).
Tourists are not banned from drinking alcohol in Qatar but must follow strict rules and not go to public places if intoxicated. Specifically, alcohol is only sold to visitors 21 years of age or older in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants.
After many efforts by the international community, the host country of the 2022 World Cup seems to have relaxed the law a bit more on the ban on alcohol, when it will allow beer to be served outside the stadium before and after some matches. certain match.
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| 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.
Qatar Alcohol LawsThe following guidance is taken from Gov.uk'svel advice for visitors of Qatar: It is an offence to drink alcohol or be drunk in public. British nationals have been detained under this law, usually when they have come to the attention of the police on a related matter, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour. For example, drinking in a public place could result in a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or a fine up to QAR3,000. Alcohol is available only at licensed hotel restaurants and bars, and expatriates living in Qatar can obtain alcohol on a permit system. Don’t carry alcohol around with you (except to take it on the day of collection from the warehouse to your home). The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21, and establishments serving alcohol will ask for original 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
Although Qatar is not rigid, like the other Gulf states Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, residents can only buy alcohol in a special government store and about 35 bars and restaurants. hotel. Drinking alcohol in public is usually illegal.
But for the 2022 World Cup, beer will also be sold in special areas around the eight stadiums before and after the matches, in the FIFA fan zone and some specially designated areas. separate.
At previous World Cup tournaments, beer was served in fan areas throughout the day.
According to the source, a decision on where and when the beer will be sold to fans has now been determined, but the price that fans will have to pay for a beer is still being discussed.
One of Qatar‘s most renowned sports bars will sell beers for a jaw-dropping £80 (AUD $140 or USD $92) during the FIFA World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, the venue will be charging £48 for group-stage matches.
A new report by the I newspaper has detailed the situation at the Champions Sports Bar in Doha’s Marriott Hotel. Where fans will be charged up to the equivalent of £80 a bottle to watch the semi-finals and finals.
Guests can drink at a few licensed hotels and clubs, where a pint of beer costs $18.
Qatar's going rate averages out at £9.94 for a pint, more than double what you'd expect to pay in the United Kingdom. Your Three Lions supporting Trevors, Kevins and Big Alans will probably all jet off to Burundi afterwards, where a drink can cost as little as 59p.
Regulation and Law on Buying and Selling Beer at World Cup Matches
Qatar will allow fans with tickets to purchase alcoholic beer at World Cup football matches 3 hours before the match starts and 1 hour after the final whistle.
However, the sale of beer is not made during the match.
Budweiser Brewing, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament, will serve beer within ticket sales around each stadium, but not in the stadium's stands or lounge areas.
Additionally, Budweiser will be allowed to serve beer in part of the main FIFA fan area in central Doha from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the 29-day tournament, which begins on November 20. .
Sources say Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer, Budweiser Zero, in stadium stands during matches and in other fan areas.
It remains unclear how Qatar will handle the sale of beer before 1pm. The match between Wales and Iran takes place on November 25, when most Muslims in Qatar will gather in mosques for Friday prayers.
Qatar currently requires most shops and restaurants in the country to close during Friday 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 QatarDifferent 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 Whoever drinks any alcoholic beverages in a public place or opens a store or a house to trade in alcoholics shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and/or a fine not exceeding Three Thousand Qatari Riyals (QR 3,000). The same penalty shall apply to any person who is found drunk on a main road or, being intoxicated disturbs others. Article 271 Whoever gives a person under sixteen years of age an alcoholic beverage or incites him to drink alcohol is convicted to a term not exceeding three years imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding ten thousand Qatari Riyals (QR 10,000). On the other hand, non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol if they hold an alcohol permit. If caught drinking without a license, a jail term from 1 to 6 months and or fine not exceeding QR 3,000 can be imposed. The host of Qatar also announced that if foreign fans have trouble related to the law of the host country, they can find foreign police to support the law and be Qatar's bridge with a large fan base from all over the world. the world pours in. The foreign police force that comes to Qatar's aid the most is the British police and units in charge of order and security at football matches in the UK. In addition, Qatar also asked Pakistan to send troops to support if the police forces on duty in Qatar need to mobilize in large numbers when there is a major incident. |
FAQs
Can I bring alcohol from abroad into Qatar?
Visitors cannot bring alcohol into Qatar, even from the duty-free airport, and they cannot buy alcohol at the country's only liquor store, on the outskirts of Doha. Only licensed foreign residents can shop there for home use.
Carrying alcoholic drinks is strictly prohibited. Items will be confiscated and you won’t be able to retrieve them at any time. Hand-baggage will be security screened before you can proceed to the baggage claim area.
Can I drink alcohol in Qatar?
Yes, you can drink alcohol in Qatar. The country's legal drinking age is 21, However, the country's relationship with beer, bourbon and the rest is extremely strict.
People cannot drink alcohol or be drunk in public. There is likely to be some slight relaxation of the rules for the World Cup.
Will there be alcohol in the Word Cup stadiums?
There will be alcohol in stadiums at the World Cup in Qatar. Beer will be sold and available for fans three hours before and one hour after kick off but not during the actual game itself.
The FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Al Bidda Park, in the centre of Doha. More information is due to be announced, but it is expected that fans will need to wait until 18:30 local time to drink alcohol in the fan zone. Official partners Budweiser and Coca-Cola will have their products available.
What is my penalty if I get drunk in public?
Possession of alcohol permit enables the holder to purchase alcohol, but does not carry with it the right to drink it in public places or be drunk in public areas. Expatriates requires to bring passport or Qatar ID card to the bar to get entry. Alcohol is also available in licensed restaurants and hotels for adult non-Muslim.
Breaking this law can result to deportation, payment of fine or prison sentences.
