Alcohol in Morocco often raises questions for first-time visitors. Is it legal? Can you buy beer in a supermarket? Do restaurants serve wine? And how much is alcohol in Morocco compared with Europe or the United States?
The simple answer is that alcohol is available in Morocco, but it is regulated and less visible than in many Western countries. Travelers can find beer, Moroccan wine and spirits in licensed hotels, restaurants, bars and selected shops. At the same time, drinking openly in public spaces is not acceptable and can cause legal problems.
This guide explains the rules, typical 2026 prices and where you are most likely to find alcohol in Marrakech, Casablanca and other Moroccan cities.
Is Alcohol Legal in Morocco?
Yes. If you are asking is alcohol legal in Morocco, the answer is that Morocco allows the production, sale and service of alcoholic drinks under a regulated licensing system.
Morocco even produces its own beer and wine. The Moroccan food-safety authority ONSSA publishes regulations covering wine production and trade, beer production and the manufacture and sale of spirits.
For visitors, the important point is that alcohol should be bought or consumed through legitimate, licensed businesses.
The UK government’s Morocco travel advice confirms that alcohol is available in licensed venues. It also states that drinking in the street or outside authorized restaurants and bars is illegal.
You can read the current official guidance here: UK Government Morocco safety and security advice.
Alcohol in Morocco: Quick Guide
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Is there alcohol in Morocco? | Yes, in licensed shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. |
| Can tourists drink alcohol? | Yes, in appropriate licensed venues and private settings. |
| Can you drink in the street? | No. Public street drinking can lead to legal problems. |
| Can you buy alcohol in supermarkets? | Some licensed supermarket branches have separate alcohol sections. |
| Is alcohol common in Medina shops? | No. Ordinary Medina shops generally do not sell it. |
| Do restaurants serve alcohol? | Some do, but they need the appropriate licence. |
| Can you drive after drinking? | Do not drink and drive. Moroccan enforcement is very strict. |
Do They Sell Alcohol in Morocco?
Yes, they do sell alcohol in Morocco, but you will not see it in every grocery shop.
Alcohol is usually sold through:
- Licensed supermarket alcohol sections.
- Dedicated wine and liquor shops.
- Licensed hotels.
- Bars and nightclubs.
- Licensed restaurants.
- Some tourist-oriented riads and resorts.
Large supermarket chains such as Carrefour and some other major stores may have a separate alcohol section at selected branches. Availability varies by location, so a branch that sells wine in Casablanca does not necessarily mean every branch of the same chain does.
Small neighborhood grocery stores and traditional shops generally do not display or sell alcohol.
Can You Buy Alcohol in Morocco as a Tourist?
For foreign visitors, can you buy alcohol in Morocco is generally a straightforward question. Licensed shops serving international customers sell beer, wine and spirits, and licensed bars and restaurants serve them.
Carry identification, especially if you are young. Current tourist-facing services commonly apply an age threshold of 18 for alcohol purchases, and some Moroccan retail services explicitly limit alcohol reservations to adults over 18.
Opening hours can also differ from those of the main supermarket. An alcohol section may close earlier, and availability can become more limited around religious occasions and during Ramadan.
What Is the Drinking Age in Morocco?
The legal drinking age in Morocco is commonly treated as 18 years by tourist venues and alcohol retailers.
Enforcement is not identical everywhere, so do not assume that every bar handles identification in the same way. If you are close to the minimum age, carrying your passport or another accepted form of identification is sensible.
For travelers, the easiest rule is simple: if you are under 18, do not plan on buying or ordering alcohol in Morocco.
Can You Drink Alcohol in Morocco?
Yes, but where you drink matters. The keyword can you drink alcohol in Morocco often creates confusion because Morocco is a Muslim-majority country.
You can drink in licensed bars, hotels and restaurants. Private accommodation may also allow alcohol, depending on the property’s rules.
However, do not walk around drinking from an open bottle or can. Drinking alcohol in streets and public areas is prohibited.
This applies whether you are in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Agadir or another Moroccan destination.
Do Restaurants in Morocco Serve Alcohol?
Some do and some do not. If you are wondering do restaurants in Morocco serve alcohol, the answer depends mainly on whether the restaurant has the correct licence.
International restaurants, upscale Moroccan restaurants, hotel restaurants and tourist-oriented establishments are more likely to offer alcohol.
Small traditional restaurants, family-run cafés and inexpensive local eateries often serve mint tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices but no alcohol.
If beer or wine is not shown on the menu, simply ask politely. There is no need to assume that every restaurant can serve it.
How Much Is Alcohol in Morocco?
How much is alcohol in Morocco depends heavily on where you buy it. A bottle purchased from a licensed supermarket can cost much less than the same drink ordered at a luxury hotel or rooftop bar.
The following table gives realistic 2026 travel-budget ranges. These are approximate prices, not official fixed tariffs.
| Drink | Shop / supermarket | Bar / restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Local beer | About 12–25 MAD | About 40–70 MAD |
| Imported beer | About 20–35 MAD | About 60–95 MAD |
| Moroccan wine, bottle | About 70–160 MAD | About 180–380 MAD |
| Glass of wine | Not usually applicable | About 50–90 MAD |
| Cocktail | — | About 80–180 MAD |
Luxury hotels and premium nightlife venues can charge significantly more. Imported wine and spirits are also normally more expensive than Moroccan products.
How Much Is Beer in Morocco?
If your main question is how much is beer in Morocco, local beer is normally one of the less expensive alcoholic options.
A small local beer from a licensed shop may cost roughly 12 to 25 MAD. In a normal licensed bar or restaurant, expect approximately 40 to 70 MAD.
A high-end Marrakech rooftop, nightclub or five-star hotel can charge more.
Prices also change depending on bottle size, brand and city, so use these figures as a travel budget rather than a guaranteed menu price.
Beer in Morocco: Are There Local Brands?
Yes. Beer in Morocco is not limited to imported European brands. Morocco has locally produced beers, and they are commonly offered in licensed bars and shops.
You may come across names such as Casablanca or Flag Spéciale. Availability changes between establishments, so the choice in a supermarket may be different from the list at a restaurant.
Morocco also produces wine, particularly in areas around Meknes and other wine-growing regions.
Alcohol in Marrakech: What Should Travelers Expect?
Marrakech has a large tourism industry, so finding licensed alcohol is usually easier than in a small rural town.
For nightlife, the modern districts of Guéliz and Hivernage contain many hotels, restaurants, lounges and bars serving international visitors.
Searches for bars in Marrakech Morocco or Morocco nightlife often lead travelers to these newer areas rather than the traditional souks.
That does not mean every venue serves alcohol. Always check the menu or ask before making a reservation if it matters to you.
Is Alcohol Legal in Marrakech?
Yes. The answer to is alcohol legal in Marrakech follows the same general rules as the rest of Morocco.
Licensed establishments can serve alcohol. Drinking openly in streets and public squares is different and should be avoided.
For example, carrying a drink around Jemaa el-Fnaa is not the same as ordering one inside a licensed hotel or restaurant.
Alcohol in Marrakech Medina
Alcohol in Marrakech Medina is a little more complicated than in Guéliz.
You should not expect ordinary shops, market stalls or traditional cafés inside the Medina to sell beer or wine. The historical center remains much more traditional in this respect.
However, this does not mean the entire Medina is alcohol-free. Some licensed restaurants, luxury riads and hotels located inside or close to the Medina may serve wine, beer or cocktails.
If having wine with dinner is important to you, check the restaurant’s drinks menu before booking rather than assuming it will be available.
Alcohol in Casablanca
Alcohol in Casablanca is generally easier to find than in many smaller Moroccan destinations.
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and a major business center. It has international hotels, restaurants, bars, lounges and licensed retail outlets.
Visitors looking for nightlife will find a different atmosphere from Marrakech. Marrakech nightlife is strongly linked to tourism, rooftops and resort-style venues, while Casablanca also has a large local urban nightlife scene.
The same legal rule still applies: drink inside appropriate licensed premises rather than in streets or other public places.
What About Fes, Agadir, Essaouira and Other Cities?
Alcohol availability differs considerably around the country.
| Destination | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Marrakech | Good availability in licensed hotels, restaurants and modern nightlife areas. |
| Casablanca | Wide range of licensed restaurants, hotels, bars and shops. |
| Agadir | Alcohol is available in many tourist hotels, resorts and licensed restaurants. |
| Essaouira | Some tourist restaurants and hotels serve alcohol, but the choice is smaller than Marrakech. |
| Fes | Available in selected hotels and licensed restaurants; much less visible in Fes el Bali. |
| Small towns and villages | Availability may be very limited or nonexistent. |
Alcohol and Ramadan in Morocco
Ramadan changes daily life across Morocco. Travelers should expect some restaurants, shops and alcohol outlets to change their opening hours or temporarily stop alcohol service.
Availability can therefore be much more limited than during the rest of the year.
Morocco is welcoming to visitors, but Ramadan is an important religious period. Being discreet and respectful around people who are fasting is sensible.
Never Drink and Drive in Morocco
One rule deserves special attention: do not combine alcohol and driving.
Official UK travel advice for Morocco warns that drink-driving is a serious offence and states that drivers found with alcohol in their system can face a fine and possible imprisonment.
If you plan to enjoy Morocco nightlife, arrange a taxi or other safe transport back to your hotel instead of driving.
Buy Alcohol Only From Reliable Sources
Travelers should buy sealed drinks from legitimate licensed businesses.
This is not only a legal question. The UK government has reported deaths and serious illness in Morocco linked to alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
Methanol cannot reliably be identified by smell or taste. Avoid unlabelled homemade alcohol and suspicious bottles offered outside normal licensed businesses.
If someone develops serious symptoms after drinking, seek urgent medical care.
Can You Bring Alcohol Into Morocco?
Travelers sometimes ask how much alcohol can I bring to Morocco. Customs allowances and import rules can change, and they can depend on the type and quantity of drink.
If you plan to bring alcohol in your luggage rather than buying it after arrival, check the latest Moroccan customs rules before departure instead of relying on an old travel forum or blog.
The UK government’s Morocco entry guidance also reminds travelers that Morocco has strict customs rules and that goods subject to tax, duty or restrictions must be declared when required.
Is Morocco a Dry Country?
No. If by “dry country” you mean a country where alcohol is completely prohibited, Morocco does not fit that description.
Alcohol is produced locally and sold through regulated businesses. What makes Morocco different from many European countries is that alcohol is more controlled and less visible in everyday public life.
You will see cafés filled with mint tea and coffee much more often than pubs filled with beer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol in Morocco
Is there alcohol in Morocco?
Yes. There is alcohol in Morocco, including beer, wine and spirits. It is available through licensed shops, restaurants, hotels and bars.
Do they sell alcohol in Morocco supermarkets?
Some licensed supermarket branches do. Alcohol is often kept in a separate section, and not every branch sells it.
Can you drink alcohol in Morocco as a tourist?
Yes. Tourists can drink in appropriate licensed venues. Avoid drinking in streets and public spaces.
What is the drinking age in Morocco?
The commonly applied minimum age for alcohol purchases and service is 18. Young travelers should carry identification because individual businesses may check age.
Can you find alcohol in Marrakech Medina?
Yes, but not everywhere. Ordinary shops and cafés in the Medina generally do not sell alcohol. Some licensed hotels, riads and restaurants do.
How expensive is alcohol in Morocco?
A local beer may cost roughly 12–25 MAD in a licensed shop and around 40–70 MAD in a bar. A Moroccan bottle of wine may start around 70 MAD in retail shops, while restaurants and premium hotels charge considerably more.
Final Tips for Drinking Alcohol in Morocco
Alcohol in Morocco is available, but the experience is different from countries where every convenience store sells beer.
Buy from licensed shops, drink inside appropriate establishments, respect local customs and never drink and drive. In Marrakech and Casablanca, finding a licensed restaurant or bar is normally easy, while choices become more limited in traditional districts, small towns and rural areas.
If you remember one simple rule, make it this: enjoy your drink in the right place and remain respectful of the culture around you.