How to Buy Alcohol in Qatar

by John White
6 comments
Qatar Distribution Company Liquor Permit

Happy to Have the Permit

A move to the Middle East doesn’t elicit festive thoughts of Napa Valley or a German pub. Our friends lived in Saudi Arabia for two years and never purchased alcohol a single time. It wasn’t available . . . anywhere. They drank juice at restaurants for dinner. Under Islamic law, consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden. Yet in Qatar, an exception is made for non-Muslims, but this right requires a liquor permit, and getting this permit requires a bit of persistence.



Alcohol in Qatar?

In this country the size of Connecticut, 59 times smaller than Texas, there is one single location in all of Qatar where an individual can purchase alcohol for personal use. The Qatar Distribution Company, often referred to as “QDC”, is that one location. Located southwest of city center, it’s situated in an arid no man’s land. In order to enter the premises and purchase alcohol, requires a specialized liquor permit, and in order to obtain this, you must first have your R.P. (Residency Permit), another lengthy process in itself.



A River in the Desert

Rashid, my Uber driver from Tunisia, drove me to the QDC. The numbers of cars diminished as we headed away from the congested city center.

“I drove a guy out here last week. I had no idea why so many cars were driving in and out of this random building. So many. Now I know.” Rashid said.

As we approached the QDC, like water nearing the exit of a rushing funnel, the concentration of cars again increased. The final right turn towards the QDC compound introduced a new, longer queue of brake lights. Inside the guarded compound, I sauntered to the entrance. Two options presented themselves. To the right, one large room with wood paneling enclosing a variety of international alcohols. To the left, a barren set of worn, white stairs lead to the privilege to buy alcohol in Qatar.



Such a Blue Office

At the top of the stairs, the waiting area contained other liquor permit hopefuls holding glossy, white papers inscribed with a number. Like any other bureaucratic organization in the world, take the number and wait. The BBC World News report provided a background ambiance to a steady stream of visitors quickly scaling the stairs to abruptly analyze this situation. They mentally sized up fellow alcohol purveyors who stared at their phones. Every few minutes, when a red number flashed across the single screen, all eyes eagerly compared it with the one in their hand. Then the lucky winner stood up, entered the office behind the blue door separated by blue partitions, and was never seen again. Just kidding, they exited ten minutes later looking happier than a kid moving out of New Mexico.

When winning number A055 appeared, like those that paved the way before me, I visited Suzie in stall 4. This was only after I accidentally sat in stall 2 and the lady kindly directed me over to stall 4, not 2. Sitting across from Suzie, I thought to myself, I honestly don’t think her friends in the Philippines call the former Qatar Airways employee that name, but here in stall 4, she was Suzie. Suzie warmly greeted me, requested my R.P., new alcohol permit application, 250 Qatari riyals, and a big smile for the camera. Fifty minutes later, I was the proud owner of a story and Qatari alcohol permit.



Selecting The Right

With a new liquor permit in wallet, I descended the drab stairs like a boss and passed over to the wood paneled section of the QDC to the right. I was part of an elite club now. And like any customer at IKEA knows, patrons followed the predetermined counterclockwise movement around the store. The rum selection left a bit to be desired as Havana Club and Bacardi headlined this section. The beer section comprised less than a quarter of the store and provided a similar low bar quality. Except for a very small section of Belgian beers! A bottle of La Chouffe, Chimay, Kwak, and Triple Karmeliet joined me on the remaining walk around the showroom. The wine selection on the other hand is expansive, putting liquor and beer to shame.

Earlier in 2019, the Qatari government introduced a sin tax that doubled the prices of all items at the QDC, but recent pushback from restaurants encouraged the removal of the sin tax three weeks ago. Perfect timing. I roamed puny QDC for five minutes, picked up four Belgian beers and five bottles of Argentine, Chilean, and French wine. I passed a small refrigerator of pork products (the only available pork in the country) near the cashiers. In the end, the entire purchase came out to 400 riyals (US $110). Quite honestly, the prices were comparable to those back in the United States.

Belgium Beer Selection at Qatar Distribution Company

The Belgium Section

Wine Selection at Qatar Distribution Company

Wines From All Around the World!



How to Buy Alcohol in Qatar for Residents

1. Get a job in Qatar

2. Obtain your Residency Permit

3. Drive out to the Qatar Distribution Company

4. Submit your application to Suzie, pay the fee, and smile for the camera

5. Take your new liquor permit to the wood paneled QDC

Qatar Distribution Company Permit Rules

Sorry Friends, I Can’t Share By Law

If you don’t fit this description and find yourself in Qatar as a tourist, maybe around the World Cup, you follow these steps.

How to Buy Alcohol in Qatar as a Tourist

1. Go to a high end restaurant like Opal or Belgian Café and order a beverage

2. Take out your wallet

3. Remove all your money

4. Kindly hand it to your waiter/waitress

5. Enjoy the experience

Qatar Distribution Company Tips for Drinking Responsibly

Try to share these with an Englishman!

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6 comments

Matthew Pepper August 27, 2019 - 8:53 am

They forgot the rule: “No drinking at a luau”

Reply
jwhit003@gmail.com August 27, 2019 - 1:27 pm

There isn’t enough sand here to play a volleyball game. That’s why it’s not listed.

Reply
jbecker42 August 27, 2019 - 9:25 am

Great post! Enjoy hearing about your adventures.

Reply
jwhit003@gmail.com August 27, 2019 - 1:27 pm

There has been lots of unique experiences here so far. We’ll share them as they come.

Reply
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