Dubai Drinks Price: What You Really Pay for Beverages in the City

When you think about Dubai drinks price, the cost of beverages in Dubai, including alcohol, soft drinks, and premium cocktails. Also known as Dubai beverage costs, it varies wildly depending on where you are, what you’re drinking, and whether it’s alcohol or not. It’s not just about the drink—it’s about the place, the vibe, and the rules.

Alcohol in Dubai isn’t cheap, and it’s not everywhere. You can’t just walk into a convenience store and grab a beer. You need a license to buy it off-site, and even then, prices at licensed venues like hotels and clubs can hit $20 for a single cocktail. A pint of local beer at a bar in Downtown Dubai? Around $15. At a beach club on Palm Jumeirah? Don’t be surprised if it’s $25. But here’s the twist: if you stick to non-alcoholic drinks, you’ll find prices are surprisingly normal. A soda or juice at a mall café costs $3–$5, same as in most global cities. Even at high-end spots like Burj Al Arab, a bottled water might set you back $8, but a local mint lemonade? Still under $6.

Why the gap? It’s simple: alcohol is heavily taxed, and only a few places are legally allowed to serve it. That’s why you’ll see the same cocktail priced at $18 in a hotel lounge and $6 at a restaurant in Deira. The city’s food and drink scene is split into two worlds: one for tourists and expats with deep pockets, and another for locals and budget travelers who stick to mocktails, coffee, and tea. And yes, you can find amazing non-alcoholic options—think Arabic coffee with cardamom, fresh pomegranate juice, or date smoothies at a souk stall for under $3.

If you’re trying to save money, skip the tourist zones. Head to local eateries in Al Karama or Satwa, where you can get a full meal with a drink for under $15. Or grab a drink at a supermarket like Lulu or Carrefour—where alcohol is sold behind counters and priced way lower than bars. A bottle of local beer? Around $8. A pack of soft drinks? $2. It’s the same product, just sold in a different setting.

And don’t forget the seasons. During Ramadan, alcohol service is restricted, and prices at some venues go up because demand drops and supply tightens. But outside that window, you’ll find better deals, especially during happy hours. Many hotels and rooftop bars offer 2-for-1 cocktails between 5 and 7 PM. That’s how locals stretch their budget.

What you pay for a drink in Dubai isn’t just about the liquid in the glass. It’s about the view, the service, the license, and the rules. The Dubai drinks price tells you more about the city’s culture than any guidebook ever could. Whether you’re sipping a $25 gin and tonic with a Burj Khalifa view or a $2 orange juice at a street cart near Dubai Creek, you’re experiencing two sides of the same city.

Below, you’ll find real posts from locals and travelers who’ve tracked down the best (and worst) drink deals in Dubai—from hidden speakeasies to luxury hotel bars, and everything in between. No fluff. Just prices, places, and tips you can use tomorrow.