Where to Find Alcohol
| Venue | What’s Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed bars & restaurants | Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails | Tourist areas in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Essaouira. Look for venues with a liquor licence. |
| Hotel bars | Full range | 4–5★ hotels always serve alcohol. Budget hotels rarely do. |
| Specialised liquor shops | Beer, wine, spirits (takeaway) | Shuttered storefronts, often no signage. Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM. Closed Fridays midday in some areas. |
| Supermarkets | Beer, wine (separate section) | Carrefour, Marjane, Acima — in major cities only. Separate alcohol counter. |
| Riads | Some serve beer/wine | Depends on licence. Ask before arrival. Many allow BYO. Riad guide → |
| Desert camps | Limited or none | Standard camps: usually no. Luxury camps: often yes. Ask MDT when booking. |
| Rural areas / small towns | Rarely available | Outside major cities, alcohol is very hard to find. Buy in the city before travelling. |
What to expect in a Moroccan bar: Bars serving alcohol are often discreet — curtained entrances, tinted windows, no visible signage from the street. This is by design, not because they’re illegal. Inside, they function like any bar. In the Guéliz (new town) area of Marrakech, Casablanca’s Corniche, and Essaouira’s harbour area, bars are more visible and Western-style.
Moroccan Beers, Wines & Spirits
Beer
Morocco produces three widely available beers: Casablanca Beer (the most popular — a crisp, clean lager and Morocco’s iconic brand), Flag Special (a traditional lager with a deeper malt character, the everyday choice for locals), and Stork (a lighter pilsner, good for hot afternoons). All three are brewed by Société des Brasseries du Maroc. Expect to pay ~25–40 MAD (€2.50–4) in a shop, or ~40–70 MAD (€4–7) in a bar or restaurant. International brands (Heineken, Kronenbourg) are also available in tourist venues.
Wine
Morocco has a growing wine industry with vineyards concentrated in two regions: Meknes (the largest — home to Chateau Roslane, Domaine de la Zouina, and Celliers de Meknes) and Essaouira (home to Val D’Argan). Moroccan wines include robust reds (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), crisp rosés (popular in summer), and white wines. Quality has improved significantly in recent years. A bottle costs ~80–150 MAD (€8–15) in shops, more in restaurants. MDT offers wine-tasting stops on the Essaouira day trip (Val D’Argan) and the Marrakech-to-Chefchaouen tour (Chateau Roslane).
Spirits
Mahia is Morocco’s traditional spirit — a fig-based eau-de-vie flavoured with aniseed, historically produced by Moroccan Jewish communities. It’s strong, clear, and usually homemade. Finding it in licensed venues is rare, but some specialised bars and riads serve it. Imported spirits (vodka, gin, whisky) are available in hotel bars and liquor shops at ~150–400 MAD (€15–40) per bottle.
Rules & Etiquette
Legal age: 18. Carry ID (passport or copy) when buying or entering licensed venues.
Liquor shop hours: Typically 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Some close Friday afternoons. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. During Ramadan, most liquor shops and restaurants stop selling alcohol entirely for the month — some hotel bars continue for guests discreetly.
Public intoxication: Illegal and enforced. Fines and possible short-term detention. Being visibly drunk in the medina or near a mosque is deeply disrespectful and will draw police attention.
Etiquette: Be discreet — don’t walk through the medina carrying visible bottles or cans. Don’t drink in public spaces, parks, or near mosques. If invited to a Moroccan home, don’t assume alcohol is welcome — follow your host’s lead. Many Moroccans don’t drink for religious reasons; never pressure anyone to join you.
Alcohol on Desert Tours
Standard desert camps (included in shared tours) typically do not serve alcohol — the Berber camp hosts are Muslim and the camps don’t hold liquor licences. Luxury desert camps (upgrade option on private tours) often do serve wine and beer with dinner — ask MDT when booking if this matters to you.
Can you bring your own? Usually yes — buy in Marrakech before departure and bring it in your luggage. Check with your operator. Be discreet and respectful — drink in your tent or at the communal fire, not in front of camp staff who are fasting or abstaining.
The real star of desert evenings is mint tea — nicknamed “Moroccan whiskey” for its cultural importance and ritual preparation. Three glasses served from height, sweet and strong. Sharing mint tea around the campfire with your Berber hosts is often the most memorable social moment of a desert tour — no alcohol needed.
Price Guide
| Drink | Shop Price | Bar/Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Moroccan beer (Casablanca/Flag/Stork) | 25–40 MAD (€2.50–4) | 40–70 MAD (€4–7) |
| Imported beer (Heineken, Kronenbourg) | 35–50 MAD (€3.50–5) | 50–80 MAD (€5–8) |
| Moroccan wine (bottle) | 80–150 MAD (€8–15) | 150–300 MAD (€15–30) |
| Glass of wine | — | 40–80 MAD (€4–8) |
| Spirits (imported, bottle) | 150–400 MAD (€15–40) | Per drink: 50–100 MAD |
| Cocktail | — | 60–120 MAD (€6–12) |
Legal: Yes — alcohol is legal in Morocco. Licensed venues only.
Where: Bars, hotel bars, restaurants, liquor shops (10 AM – 8 PM), Carrefour/Marjane.
Beers: Casablanca Beer, Flag Special, Stork. ~25–40 MAD in shops.
Wine: Meknes (Chateau Roslane) + Essaouira (Val D’Argan). ~80–150 MAD/bottle.
Rules: Age 18. Be discreet. No public intoxication. Restricted during Ramadan.
Desert: Standard camps: no. Luxury camps: often yes. BYO usually fine. Ask MDT.