THE 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected to attract millions of football fans from all corners of the globe.
And many of them might fancy an alcoholic beverage once they land. But can you drink alcohol in Qatar? Here’s everything you need to know.
Can you drink alcohol in Qatar?
Alcohol isn’t illegal in Qatar, but there is zero tolerance for drinking in public and being drunk in public is a crime.
Local law and customs reflect the fact that Qatar is an Islamic country – therefore you should respect the rules at all times and ensure your actions do not offend.
Drinking in a public place could result in a prison sentence of up to six months – and/or a fine up to QAR3,000, which converts to £696.29.
You can only purchase alcohol at licensed hotel restaurants and bars.
Alcohol can only be purchased at licensed hotel restaurants and bars
There is also a single state-controlled off-licence, but alcohol can only be obtained using a permit system.
Visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country, nor are they permitted to shop at the nation’s lone liquor store located on the outskirts of Doha.
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The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21, and establishments serving alcohol will ask for original photo ID upon entry.
Fifa chiefs have agreed with the Muslim host nation that bars at stadiums will be shut between kick-off and the final whistle – during the 2022 World Cup.
But fans will be able to buy beer, wine and spirits before and after matches when they get to the grounds – in designated special drinking zones.
Formal confirmation of drinking rules will come before the tournament, which starts in Doha on November 21, 2022.
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International hotels will serve alcohol as will the official Fifa fan zone in Al Bidda Park in the centre of the capital city – although bars will have restricted hours.
How much does alcohol cost in Qatar?
In 2019, Qatar introduced the “sin tax” – doubling the prices of alcohol overnight.
It was introduced by Qatar’s General Authority of Customs, in a 30-page list of new prices for beer, wines and spirits – citing the introduction of a 100 per cent “excise tax”.
The price of alcohol varies – however, visitors can expect to pay through the nose for an alcoholic beverage of their choice.
Examples of the cost of alcohol in Qatar include – a 100cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin costing a staggering £73.
A 75cl bottle of wine costs £18.50 and a 24-pack of Heineken 330ml beers cost £84.
With this being said, football fans can expect the prices of alcohol to be eye-watering – with beers expecting to cost around £10 a pint.
Qatar’s average pint costs £9.98, more than double the UK’s price of £4.07.