Gujarat, a beautiful state situated on the western coast of India, is presumed to be great destination for vacation. From the enthralling salt desert of Rann of Kutch, thrilling wildlife sanctuaries such as Gir National Park to the riveting beaches and architectural marvels- Gujarat has it all.
The only reason that curtails the appeal of the otherwise prodigious state is limited alcohol availability. Owing to Gujarat’s Alcohol Prohibition Act of 1960, manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden by law.
‘Is this act applicable statewide? Are there any exceptions? Do hotels in Gujarat serve alcohol? Is it a crime to drink in Gujarat? Is liquor available in Gujarat hotels? Do 5 star hotels in Gujarat serve alcohol?’ We know what you’re wondering. We are here to answer all your burning questions related to drinking alcohol in Gujarat.
Do 5 Star Hotels Serve Alcohol On Dry Day?
Do 5-star hotels in Gujarat have their own bars or lounges for serving alcohol?
Most 5-star hotels in Gujarat do not serve alcohol. There are a handful of hotels that are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to their guests, albeit they adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Gujarat government for serving alcohol. It is advised to call and check with the hotel beforehand about the availability of bars and lounges.
While most of the 5-star hotels in Gujarat can’t serve alcoholic beverages, some of them can issue permits to the tourists visiting from other states and abroad. The tourists can use the permit to purchase alcoholic beverages and consume it in the safety of their rooms.
Are there any additional restrictions or guidelines for events or functions where alcohol is served within these hotels?
It is mandatory for the visitors to obtain permit from the hotel before the purchase of alcohol. According to the Gujarat Prohibition Act of 1949, any manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol without a valid permit is a criminal offence. If one is caught manufacturing, buying, selling or consuming alcohol without a valid permit, they can be incriminated and imprisoned for as long as five years.
Are 5-star hotels in Gujarat allowed to serve alcohol only in certain designated areas or throughout the entire premises?
The 5-star hotels that are allowed to serve alcohol mostly serve it in their bar and lounge area. With a few exceptions, manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol is forbidden in the state of Gujarat, which is why most of the hotels strictly adhere to certain designated areas while serving alcoholic beverages, in order to prevent unlawful activities related to alcohol.
The visitors can also obtain a permit from their hotel and purchase alcohol with it, which they can consume in the privacy of their rooms.
Is Alcohol Allowed in Ahmedabad Hotels?
Gujarat is a dry state. Like the rest of Gujarat, most of the hotels aren’t allowed to serve alcohol with a few exceptions. It is always advised to call the hotel beforehand and enquire about the availability and consumption of alcohol in the hotel premises.
If a hotel isn’t serving alcohol, the tourists can always obtain a permit and purchase alcohol. The state grants permit to the tourists visiting from other Indian states and countries. You can easily apply and obtain a permit which can be used to purchase alcohol.
Is Alcohol Drinking Allowed in Gujarat?
Gujarat is a dry state. According to the Alcohol Prohibition Act, manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages without a valid permit is forbidden by law.
The local residents of Gujarat can obtain alcohol permits citing health reasons, they are also called as health permits. Nearly 58000 residents possess the said health permit in Gujarat.
Tourists visiting Gujarat from other Indian states and countries can also obtain a permit.
These permits can be used to used to purchase alcohol from one of the 66 government authorized liquor stores.
One can drink legally in a confined private space only if they are in possession of the alcohol permit issued by the Gujarat state government.
Are there any penalties or consequences for hotels that violate the alcohol service laws in Gujarat?
With a few exceptions, most of the hotels in Gujarat do not serve alcohol. All the hotels in Gujarat that serve alcohol are required to adhere to strict guidelines in order to prevent unlawful activities related to alcohol. The hotels that violate the alcohol service laws in Gujarat are met with the due legal consequences and could also lose their license and permit.
According to the Alcohol Prohibition Act of 1960, manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden by law. An individual found guilty can be imprisoned for up to five years and made to pay a fine of five lakhs.
Gujarat Alcohol Permit
There are two types of alcohol permits in Gujarat:
Local residents of Gujarat have to approach the Area Medical Board in order to obtain a liquor permit on health grounds. The concerned board’s approval is mandatory in order to obtain a health permit.
- Tourist/ Visitor Permit
Tourists visiting Gujarat from other Indian states and countries can visit the online portal and apply for the e-permit.
Tourists can also take help from some of the authorized hotels in order to obtain a permit.
The health permit as well as the tourist permit can be used to purchase alcohol from one of the 66 government authorized liquor stores. It is strictly advised to consume alcohol in a confined private space.
Are there any age restrictions or requirements for consuming alcohol in these hotels?
The legal drinking age in India ranges from 18 years to 25 years. According to the Alcohol Prohibition Act, manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden by law. In order to consume alcohol in Gujarat, one must obtain a permit. The legal age to apply for the permit is 21 years and above. Individuals under 21 years of age are strictly prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages in these hotels.
Gujarat is a dry state. Most of the 5-star hotels do not offer alcohol to their guests. The few hotels that do serve alcoholic beverages have to adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Gujarat state government. Tourists visiting Gujarat from other Indian states and countries can apply for the visitor’s permit on the government online portal or with the help of a few authorized 5-star hotels. The permit can be used to purchase alcohol from one of 66 government authorized alcohol stores. Tourists can consume alcohol in confined private spaces only.
