Algeria is a Muslim majority country so most people assume there is no drinking. The reality is more complicated. Yes you can drink in Algeria in some cities such as Algiers, Oran and other urban areas where hotels, restaurants and bars cater to foreigners or expats. In rural areas and more religious towns alcohol is not available and drinking in public is illegal. If you want to drink in Algeria you need to know where to go, keep it discreet and avoid public spaces.
Public drunkenness will get you into trouble with the police and social disapproval is high. Drinking in Algeria is allowed but tightly controlled. You cannot carry alcohol in public or expect a bar on every street. It exists in pockets mainly for foreigners and tourists.
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Alcohol in Algeria
Alcohol is not banned but it is heavily regulated. Only licensed bars, hotels and restaurants can serve it. Shops rarely sell alcohol and imported drinks are taxed heavily. Domestic beers and wines are available in cities but stock is limited and selection is poor. If you want to drink in Algeria you will often pay more than you expect. Prices for beers and wines are higher than in Europe or North America and availability is unpredictable.
You will find some local wines and beers produced in Algeria. The wine industry dates back to French colonization and a few vineyards still produce wine. Domestic beers are made in small breweries and can be found in hotel bars. Drinking in Algeria will never be a free for all but there is enough for those who know where to look.
Where to Drink in Algiers
Algiers is the easiest place in Algeria to drink. There are a handful of hotels and bars that if you get lucky still serve alcohol to foreigners or discreet locals. Restaurants sometimes carry a limited wine or beer selection. Options are small and under the radar, but they exist. If you want to drink in Algeria you better know where to go, expect limited stock, and keep quiet.
Here are some specific spots where you might get a drink in Algiers:
- Hotel Suisse — Address: 6 Rue Lt. Boulhart, Algiers 16000, Algeria. Phone: +213 21 63 10 09. A modest hotel with a bar/lounge, sometimes frequented by foreigners or travellers, but also a cool local vibe.
- Le Lounge Dey — lounge bar inside a hotel, welcoming for a drink. Address: 20 Rue Didouche Mourad, Algiers, Algeria. Phone: +213 21 63 18 70
- Piano Piano — pub style bar, small but popular with foreigners. Address: 11 Rue Larbi Ben M’hidi, Algiers, Algeria. Phone: +213 21 62 91 88
- Dar Gnawa — Moroccan style lounge and bar in central Algiers. Address: 6 Rue Mohamed Belouizdad, Algiers, Algeria. Phone: +213 21 63 45 22
- Hotel El-Djazair Bar / Pacha Club — hotel bar with alcohol service to guests. Address: 1 Place Maurice Audin, Algiers, Algeria. Phone: +213 21 63 00 00
If you want to drink in Algeria you need to plan ahead, pick hotel bars like Hotel Suisse or any of those listed, pay cash and stay low key.
Beers and Wines in Algeria
Algeria still produces local beer and wine. The beer is usually light lagers and the wine tends to be red or white table wines. Both are made for local consumption or for hotel and restaurant sale. Imported alcohol exists but it is heavily taxed and expensive. Drinking in Algeria means you may be limited to local beers or wines and stock can run out quickly. Expect to pay more than you would elsewhere.
If you want to drink in Algeria in the cities there is some choice. Outside the cities options are zero. Alcohol is tightly controlled and rarely available in public shops. Drinking in Algeria is about knowing the right places, keeping a low profile and accepting limits.
Click to read about Albrau Beer.
Tips for Drinking in Algeria
If you want to drink in Algeria the safest option is to go to a hotel bar or a licensed restaurant. Be discreet, pay cash and do not carry alcohol in public. Never drink on the street or in view of locals. Stock is limited so check availability in advance. If you are outside Algiers or coastal cities do not expect to find any alcohol at all. Drinking in Algeria is possible but it comes with restrictions and requires planning.
Public drunkenness will get you in trouble. Hotels that serve alcohol will usually serve foreigners only. Drinking in Algeria requires patience, discretion and an understanding of where alcohol is allowed. Expect small selection, high prices and no nightlife.
Click to read about Algerian cuisine.
Conclusion
Can you drink in Algeria? Yes but only in certain cities and in certain places. Algiers is the best bet with hotel bars and some restaurants serving alcohol. Coastal towns like Oran offer similar options.
Inland and religious areas will not have alcohol. Drinking in Algeria is legal only in licensed locations, public drinking is prohibited and stock is limited. Prices are high and selection is poor. If you want to drink in Algeria plan ahead, know the right places and keep a low profile.
Thankfully though it is no Mauritania…….
Click to check our Algeria Tours.
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