Alcohol in Morocco: Where Tourists Can Legally Drink

Yes, tourists can legally drink alcohol in Morocco in licensed venues. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country and alcohol is prohibited for Muslims by religion, but the law does not ban tourists from drinking. Alcohol is sold and served in licensed hotels, restaurants, and specialist off-licences throughout the country. You will find a functioning bar scene in Marrakech’s Guéliz district, along the Casablanca Corniche, in Essaouira’s port area, and in most international hotels across all major cities.

You can buy alcohol in Morocco from licensed cave à vins (off-licences), some supermarket chains with dedicated alcohol aisles (Marjane, Carrefour, certain Label’Vie branches), and from hotel and restaurant bars. Off-licences are often tucked behind plain storefronts and can be easy to miss. In Marrakech, several are located in the Guéliz neighbourhood near Avenue Mohammed V. In Casablanca, you will find more options in Maarif and near the Corniche. Prices from off-licences are lower than bar prices: expect around 15–25 MAD for a 330 ml beer and 80–150 MAD for a bottle of local wine.

It is not illegal for non-Muslims to drink alcohol in Morocco, but there are important caveats. Drinking in public spaces — streets, parks, beaches in some resorts, near mosques — is frowned upon and can lead to police intervention. Public drunkenness is an offence. During Ramadan, many licensed venues restrict alcohol service or stop serving entirely during daylight hours. The safest approach is to drink only in licensed indoor venues and to behave discreetly.

Some do, but not all. Large hypermarket chains like Marjane and some Carrefour branches stock wine, beer and spirits in a separate aisle that is sometimes screened off with a frosted curtain or partition. Not every branch is licensed — it depends on the location and local council. Your best bet for consistent stock and lower prices is a dedicated cave à vins (off-licence) rather than a supermarket. Smaller grocery shops (hanuts) generally do not sell alcohol.

Morocco produces two main domestic lagers: Casablanca Lager (brewed by Brasseries du Maroc, 5%) and Flag Spéciale (slightly lighter at 4.6%, brewed in Fes and Tangier). Both are widely available in licensed restaurants and bars. Imported beers — Heineken, Stella Artois, Kronenbourg — appear in upscale hotels and some bars, usually at a significant price premium. A draught Casablanca in a bar typically costs 35–60 MAD (around $3.50–$6); an imported bottle can be 70–100 MAD.

It depends entirely on the hotel. International chain hotels and four- to five-star properties almost always have a licensed bar and will serve wine with dinner and cocktails in the evening. Many boutique riads in the medinas do not have an alcohol licence and serve only non-alcoholic drinks — this is common among family-run riads where the owners are practising Muslims. If alcohol access matters to you, check the hotel description carefully before booking, or email the property directly. The description 'riad’ alone does not tell you whether alcohol is served.

Yes, though the bar and nightlife scene is concentrated in specific cities and neighbourhoods. Marrakech has the most developed tourist nightlife: rooftop bars in Guéliz, a handful of nightclubs near Jemaa el-Fna, and licensed restaurants that transition into bars after dinner. Casablanca has a more locally-oriented bar scene along the Corniche and in the Maarif district. Agadir, as a beach resort city, has the most accessible pub-style bars aimed at European tourists. Essaouira has a more relaxed, sunset-drinks-on-the-ramparts vibe. Fes and Chefchaouen have very few bars — if drinking is a priority, both are better suited to wine-with-dinner in your hotel than a bar crawl.