A new ‘smart’ system for issuing alcohol licenses in Dubai has been announced, with a view to making the processes for applying and renewing permissions simpler.
Agreed upon by the main distributors in the Emirate, Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI) and African + Eastern (A+E), it will require all current holders of official ‘Red licenses’ to apply for updated ‘black’ licence cards, as red licences will no longer be valid for in-store or online purchases from September 1.
Current red card holders are required to update their license and switch to a black card before August 31. This can easily be done in-store, just show your Emirates ID. If you are renewing your license there will be a standard charge of AED270 and any remaining months will be added to the new card.
The new black license also comes with up to AED1,500 worth of vouchers to spend in store, and at selected venues in Dubai. You can also use it to order drinks online via legalhomedelivery.com where the minimum spend is AED250.
Tourists can still obtain a free 30-day license when they visit Dubai, simply by showing their passport in-store with a valid visit visa stamp. All residents and tourists applying for a license must be over the age of 21 and non-Muslim.
Esquire now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Esquire Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on our @esquiremiddleeast Instagram and Twitter account.