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BYOB at unlicensed restaurants - Is this a thing in Dubai?
I got invited to a dinner with colleagues, and they've booked this unlicensed restaurant. All cool, but then someone mentioned bringing their own drinks (BYOB), and I was like... wait,… Hey everyone,
I got invited to a dinner with colleagues, and they've booked this unlicensed restaurant. All cool, but then someone mentioned bringing their own drinks (BYOB), and I was like... wait, what?!
When I first moved to Dubai, something like this would've sounded crazy, so now I'm just curious, is this actually a thing here? Like, is it common and I've just been living under a rock, or is it more of a lowkey "hope no one notices" situation or even a thing where the management of the restaurant allows it to not lose customers?
Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences if you've come across this before!
it's not as common as people think honestly. most unlicensed spots in barsha or karama that do this are the ones already walking a fine line with the municipality. i know a place near al safa that lets you bring your own wine but they pour it into a teapot at the table so it looks like chai if anyone walks in. just don't show up with a visible bottle of grey goose and expect zero side eyes
honestly it depends on the crowd. some of the older unlicensed spots in deira and bur dubai have been doing this for years, mostly for regulars they trust. i've seen a place near al rigga where they'll let you bring a bottle of something if you're ordering food, but they keep it in the kitchen and serve it in a water jug. it's not something they advertise, you just have to know the right person to ask. newer places in marina or jlt are more likely to shut that down quick because they don't want the license drama. just don't walk in with a six-pack like it's a house party
yeah it's a thing but only at places that are clearly unlicensed (no liquor license displayed) and usually they'll have a corkage fee. i've seen it at some small cafeterias in al barsha and jlt where they'll let u bring wine or beer for like 20-30 dirhams per bottle. it's not really a hush hush thing, more like a gray area that management uses to keep tables full. just check with the restaurant first because some will say no if they're trying to stay under the radar with the authorities
Dubai/Sharjah Road Scam?
damn u basically did a free taxi run to rak. thing is they usually target cars with a single guy driving & look for dubai plates so u look like u got somewhere to be. best move is roll ur window down like two inches, say u already called the cops for them & keep moving, dont even unlock the door
yeah that's a known one on e311 & the sharjah ring road, usually they wave you down near the adnoc or before the rta cameras claiming wallet got lifted. classic play is they ask for a lift to the next emirate then bail once you slow down, sometimes a second guy on a bike is tracking you. next time just call 999 or drop them at the nearest police point, don't let anyone in your car off the highway ngl
The RAK route is the tell. No one genuinely stranded on the ring road needs to get all the way to Ras Al Khaimah, that's a 90 minute drive. These guys work in pairs and the second car picks them up after they hop out, usually somewhere past the Al Sajaa junction or near the ADNOC on E311. If it happens again, tell them you'll drive them to the nearest police station and watch how fast the story changes.