Alcohol Availability In Brunei's Private Clubs

Brunei is a dry country, with a ban on the sale and public consumption of alcohol. However, non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol privately, and can bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country. This raises the question: can private clubs in Brunei serve alcohol?

Alcohol laws in Brunei

While these allowances enable tourists to drink alcohol in private, Brunei's laws and customs around alcohol are strict and should be respected by visitors. The Islamic sultanate operates under Sharia law, which bans the sale of alcohol. The majority of Bruneians are devoutly Muslim and may be offended by the sight of alcohol. Drinking in public is illegal and can result in a fine or prison sentence, particularly during Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.

Drinking in public in Brunei

However, private consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims is allowed. Foreign travellers above the age of 17 may bring alcohol into the country through customs, but it must be declared on a customs form and this form must be kept on the person in case it needs to be presented. This process applies regardless of whether a person enters by air, sea or land. The maximum allowance of alcohol that can be brought into the country per person is:

• Two 2-litre bottles of liquor (wine or spirits)
• Twelve cans of beer (330ml or less)

Alcohol can only be stored and consumed in the place a person is staying. It is illegal to take alcohol outside of this place, and doing so may result in punishment by law. Many Bruneians are devoutly Muslim, and some may be offended by the sight of alcohol. Some hotels may allow guests to drink in designated areas inside, such as the Empire Brunei.

Alcohol cannot be purchased in Brunei, and there are very few bars, pubs and clubs. However, some restaurants may serve alcohol illegally, using euphemisms like "special tea". It is also possible to bring your own alcohol to one of the BYO restaurants in the country.

Drinking in private in Brunei

Alcohol can only be consumed in private—in your place of residence, such as a hotel room, or in designated areas inside your hotel. It is illegal to take alcohol outside of your room, and drinking in public is forbidden. Some restaurants may serve alcohol illegally, using euphemisms like 'special tea', but this is rare.

It's important to be discreet when drinking alcohol in Brunei, as many Bruneians are devoutly Muslim and may be offended by the sight of alcohol. It's also important to respect the local customs and dress and behaviour standards, which are conservative.

Brunei's Islamic law

Brunei is an Islamic country, and its legal system is based on Sharia Law, which also applies to visitors in some circumstances. The country's penal code mostly aligns with Islamic law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol by Muslims.

As a result, Brunei is a "dry country", meaning alcohol is not sold or served publicly. However, private consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims is allowed. Foreigners above the age of 17 may bring alcohol into the country through customs, with a duty-free allowance of two bottles of liquor (not exceeding two litres in total) and 12 cans of beer (330 ml or less) per entry. This allowance can be claimed every 48 hours, and a customs form must be filled out and kept on hand in case of inspection. Alcohol can only be stored and consumed in one's place of residence, and it is illegal to take it outside. Some hotels may allow guests to drink in designated areas inside, but it is technically illegal for restaurants to serve alcohol to patrons.

While Brunei's alcohol rules may seem strict, they are simple to follow. Visitors should use their common sense and discretion to avoid offending locals and attracting unwanted attention.

Brunei's dry country status

Brunei is a dry country, meaning there is an outright ban on the sale and public consumption of alcohol. The country's legal system is based on Sharia Law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol by Muslims. While non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in private, they must bring their own alcohol into the country as it cannot be purchased in Brunei.

Foreign travellers above the age of 17 may bring alcohol into the country through customs, provided they declare it on a customs form and keep the form with them while in the country. The allowance per person is two 2-litre bottles of liquor (wine or spirits) and twelve cans of beer (330 ml or less). It is important to note that alcohol can only be stored and consumed in one's place of residence, and it is illegal to take it outside or distribute it to others. Some hotels may allow guests to drink in designated areas inside the premises, but it is technically illegal for restaurants to serve alcohol to patrons.

While there are few bars and pubs in Brunei due to the ban on alcohol, there are some exceptions, such as the Tagz Lounge at the Sheraton Utama Hotel in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. While they cannot sell alcohol, patrons can bring their own and have it served to them with mixers. Additionally, there are some discos in Bandar Seri Begawan, mostly frequented by expats and oil workers, where beer is served discreetly.

It is worth noting that the laws and social norms in Brunei, including those related to alcohol, are based on conservative Islamic standards of dress and behaviour. Visitors are expected to respect these norms during their stay in the country.

Frequently asked questions