Marrakech & Booze: A 2026 Update
- Peter
- 14 jul
- 6 minuten om te lezen
It feels like just yesterday I wrote my first guide to navigating Marrakech's fascinating relationship with alcohol—and you loved it. But things change. Society evolves, perspectives shift, and even the rules of the game get a quiet refresh. While I usually focus on the luxury hotels, the hidden palaces, and the places that make Marrakech magical, this is different. This is about lifestyle and coming prepared. And the truth is, having the right information never did anyone any harm.
Let's dive into the unspoken, the updated, and the surprising reality of drinking in the Red
City in 2026.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
The legal paradox remains: this is a Muslim country where the sale of liquor to Moroccans is technically prohibited. Yet the government's own budget paints a different picture.
The 2025 Finance Bill projected 1.19 billion dirhams in tax revenue from spirits and 1.55 billion dirhams from beer, bringing the total to 2.74 billion dirhams. Compared with the previous year's projection of 2.01 billion dirhams, that's a substantial increase.
Those figures don't suggest an industry in decline. They reflect a market that is carefully regulated, economically significant, and firmly established within Morocco's tourism and hospitality sectors.
In other words, while the legislation may appear restrictive, the day-to-day reality is far more nuanced.
The Rules of the Game (Updated)
The golden rule hasn't changed: public drinking is a no-go. But there are nuances worth understanding.
You can drink legally in licensed venues—hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants. However, these are largely concentrated in the modern districts of Gueliz and Hivernage. The Medina? That's a different story. You won't find a bar tucked down a souk alley.
A handful of upscale riads hold liquor licences, but they're the exception rather than the rule.
This is as much cultural as it is legal. Locals respect that boundary, and as a visitor, you should too.
Keep it inside, keep it private, and you'll have no trouble.
Like many things in Morocco, there is also a degree of nuance. Regulations provide the framework, while everyday hospitality often adapts to individual circumstances.
If you're staying in a riad, simply ask discreetly. The staff will tell you what is possible, or
direct you to a licensed establishment if that's the better option.
Ramadan: The Surprising Shift
Here's where my 18 years of experience got a reality check. The old assumption was that everything shut down—completely, totally, from a few days before Ramadan until a few days after Eid.
That's not quite accurate anymore.
During Ramadan, alcohol availability contracts significantly. Bars close. Many supermarkets stop selling. But—and this was new to me—some establishments will still sell to foreign visitors during Ramadan, often requesting a passport for identification. Morocco doesn't officially record religion on identity cards, making a foreign passport the simplest way to distinguish visitors from residents.
The general rule of thumb? Assume things will be more restricted, but don't be surprised if you can still enjoy a discreet drink in a larger hotel or another licensed venue catering to international guests. Always check ahead and never assume.
Where to Buy (With Current Intel)
Forget what you knew about independent shops like L'Atelier du Vin on Rue Mohammed el Beqal—it closed in 2020. Times change, and so do the addresses.
Your best bet for 2026:
Supermarkets: The Carrefour chain in Gueliz remains the most reliable option, with a dedicated alcohol section and its own cash register. The Carrefour near Place 16 Novembre is a dependable choice. Marjane gave up the business already some years ago and many locals applauded the move.
Independent Liquor Stores
Gueliz remains the city's main hub for liquor stores. Well-known names such as Victoria, with several outlets across Marrakech, and Nicolas, renowned for its extensive wine selection and online ordering service, continue to be trusted addresses.
A small trend worth noting is the growing number of independent neighbourhood liquor stores, particularly in areas popular with expatriates.
While they may seem like a recent addition, they actually follow a deeply rooted Moroccan tradition. Daily life has long revolved around neighbourhood commerce—the hanout (corner shop), the local butcher, the baker and the greengrocer, all within walking distance.
These smaller liquor stores simply extend that same philosophy, bringing convenience closer to where people live while preserving the character of local neighbourhood shopping.
Independent retailers such as Des Vignes aux Vins, Drink's, and other local wine and spirits merchants have become part of this evolution, complementing the larger chains with a more neighbourhood-oriented approach.
Along Avenue Mohammed V, Boulevard Zerktouni and throughout Gueliz you'll also find a variety of shops displaying signs such as "Alcool" or "Boissons Alcoolisées".
They may offer a smaller range than the supermarkets, but they're often excellent places to discover Moroccan wines and regional products.
The Medina: Don't expect to stumble upon a liquor store or a bar hidden among the souks. Only a handful of the larger, upscale riads hold a licence to serve alcohol, as obtaining and maintaining one comes with strict conditions.
However, Marrakech is a city where official regulations and everyday practice don't always perfectly align. If you're staying in a quality riad, it's perfectly acceptable to ask discreetly whether alcohol is available.
If it is, the staff will explain the options. If not, they'll usually be happy to direct you to a licensed venue nearby.
Practical tip: Most shops close around 8 PM. Don't wait until the last minute. After office hours, supermarkets and liquor stores become noticeably busier as locals and expatriates stop by after work.
What to Expect: Typical Drink Prices in Marrakech (2026)
This is where updated information matters.
Beer at a pub: Hidden inside Hôtel Nassim, The Chesterfield Pub has quietly stood the test of time. Discreetly tucked away from the street, it offers exactly what many visitors appreciate: a relaxed atmosphere, good service and complete privacy. Expect to pay around 50–55 MAD (€5) for a beer.
Cocktails: For a premium cocktail experience, Baromètre in Gueliz remains one of the city's benchmark addresses. Expect creative mixology, an industrial-chic atmosphere and cocktails that match the quality of the surroundings where a cocktail will cost you in the 90–150 MAD range—worth every dirham for the experience.
Wine bars: Having a good glass of wine in Marrakech is easier than many visitors imagine. While the city isn't overflowing with dedicated wine bars, the few that have earned a solid reputation are well worth seeking out.
Le 68 Bar à Vin, tucked away behind Carré Eden on Rue de la Liberté, remains one of Marrakech's favourite addresses for wine lovers.
A properly maintained temperature-controlled wine cellar is often the first sign that you're in good hands, and here you'll find an impressive selection of Moroccan wines alongside labels from France, Italy, Spain and beyond. Whether you're after a relaxed glass after work or the perfect bottle to accompany dinner, it's a place that consistently delivers.A glass here will cost you anywhere from 50 MAD to well over 200 MAD, depending on your choice.
Wine by the bottle: Moroccan wines remain one of the country's best-kept surprises. Excellent bottles can still be found for under 100 MAD, while premium Moroccan estates increasingly rival many imported wines. French labels remain widely available but naturally command higher prices.
A Final Glass
If you're looking for something truly exceptional, the Œnothèque at La Mamounia is an experience in itself. Its cellar ranges from carefully selected bottles to impressive formats such as the Methuselah, holding six litres of wine. It isn't inexpensive, but then again, the price of a unique experience has always depended on the person living it.
Over the years, I've enjoyed a glass of Blue Label on one of Marrakech's finest rooftops, discovered remarkable Moroccan wines in hidden gardens, and shared unforgettable cocktails in bars where the atmosphere was every bit as memorable as the drink itself.
Looking back, however, I rarely remember the label on the bottle or the vintage in the glass. I remember the conversation. The laughter. The people around the table. The city quietly unfolding beyond the terrace.
The finest wine is rarely the most expensive one. It's the one shared with the right company, at the right moment, in a city that has a remarkable way of turning ordinary evenings into lasting memories.
Santé.
Have you discovered a favourite place for a drink in Marrakech? I'd love to hear about it. Share your experience in the comments, and if this guide helped you prepare for your trip, don't hesitate to pass it on.
Peter Manshoven
Time for a B.