Can You Drink Alcohol In Erbil? What You NEED To Know.

Are you planning to visit or move to Erbil as an expatriate and wondering how the local alcohol scene is in Erbil? Although alcohol consumption in Erbil is probably not the primary reason for your stay in the Kurdistani Capital, it’s good to know what you can expect from this ancient city. As someone who recently visited this unexplored part of the world, I believe I am in a good position to answer your question.

You can drink alcohol in Erbil. Unlike other parts of Iraq, alcohol is legally available in Erbil and the rest of Iraqi Kurdistan. In Erbil, liquor stores and bars are mainly found in the Christian district of Ankawa.

This post will shed further light on the legal, cultural, and social aspects of drinking alcohol in Erbil.

Alcohol Is Legal in Iraqi Kurdistan

In Erbil and the rest of Iraqi Kurdistan, unlike federal Iraq, alcohol is legally available. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) maintains a more liberal stance on alcohol compared to the federal Iraqi government. While the federal Iraqi government has started to crack down on the sale of alcohol by enforcing restrictive laws, there are no indications that the KRG will follow suit anytime soon.

Culture And Attitudes Towards Alcohol

Although Erbil is characterized as a conservative city, and the fact that more than 90% of the population in Erbil and Iraqi Kurdistan are Muslims who generally abstain from alcohol, alcohol consumption here is generally accepted, but with a note of moderation and discretion. Being intoxicated in public is frowned upon by the locals. Also, a local told me that it is considered rude to drink in front of other Muslims who do not drink alcohol themselves, hence my advice is to avoid drinking in public outside of your hotel, bars and restaurants.

Availability of Alcohol in Erbil

You can find alcohol in various licensed shops, bars, and hotels across Erbil, mostly run by Christians or other non-Muslim people. However, by far the most obvious place to find alcohol in Erbil is in the Christian district of Ankawa. Here, you will find liquor stores in abundance and many restaurants and bars that serve alcohol. By the locals, the district of Ankawa is humorously known as the “haram” district. It is also here that many foreign consulates are located, such as the US consulate in Erbil.

Do Kurdish People Drink?

Although the majority of Kurds are Muslim, drinking alcohol is not unusual among them. During my visits to various bars in Erbil and Iraqi Kurdistan, I saw many Kurds enjoying alcoholic beverages. However, in conversations with locals, I found that while many have experimented with alcohol, they often choose not to drink regularly.

Price Of Alcohol

Since no alcohol is produced locally, everything needs to be imported, which has jacked up the prices, meaning it’s not particularly cheap to go out for a couple of beers in Erbil. A beer at a bar will cost around $6-7, while a cocktail will cost you upwards of $10, depending on the place.

Bars in Ankawa

There are several bars scattered across Erbil, most of which are located in the Christian district of Ankawa. I often found that hotels have bars located on the rooftop, which are popular among locals.

German Bar: Located in the southern part of Ankawa is the German Bar, which is essentially a German bier-garten. They have done an excellent job of designing it to resemble one. Here, you can enjoy a large beer and, if you’re tired of the local kebab, try typical German dishes like sauerkraut or bratwurst.

Bar in Hotel Beautyvan: Situated on the left-hand side (facing the street) of Erbil Sun Hotel, a hotel I highly recommend, is the Hotel Beautyvan. The bar is located on the second floor, and the reception staff will direct you there. The place is quite dark, and the bar itself is nothing special. However, you will find that the beer is generally cheaper here than in many other upscale places.

DO NOT GO to the bar on top of the Sky Lund Hotel: On the right-hand side (facing the street) of Erbil Sun Hotel is a new hotel called the Sky Lund Hotel. On top of the hotel is a fancy bar with nice interior decorations, serving shisha and alcohol. However, the prices are outrageous by Erbil standards. Additionally, even if you order only a beer, the waiters will bring nuts and fruits, which they later charge exorbitantly for, resulting in a bill that’s hefty even by Western standards.

Conclusion

To wrap up, even though Erbil is a predominantly Muslim city, the alcohol scene in Erbil is surprisingly not that different from the West, especially when compared to neighboring countries in the Middle East where alcohol is banned, like Iran.
So as you explore this fascinating part of the world, just remember to keep in mind the local nuances related to alcohol consumption and you should melt right in to the Kurdistani culture.