18

Is today a dry day in
?

No
(But tomorrow is)

No Dry Day

You're safe, unless you're in a dry area.

Dry Day

  • Gujarat,
  • plus the usual dry regions.

Dry Days Ahead

Over the next four weeks:

Drinking in India

18 is the legal drinking age. Only in some regions, though – it's as high as 25 in others. And banned/restricted in a few.

  • On-licences

    24 hours a day

    Drinking establishments like bars and restaurants, where you can consume alcohol on the premises

  • Off-licences

    24 hours a day

    Retail outlets like liquor shops and supermarkets, where you can buy alcohol to drink elsewhere

    • Note: The opening hours vary between places, and depend on the licence type. Check your region for specifics.

Attitudes towards alcohol consumption in India is a varied mix of tradition and modernity. Each state has its own rules and perspectives on drinking: some are incredibly strict while others are fairly relaxed. Alongside the usual variety of booze, you’ll find an array of local liquors here. From toddy in Kerala to chang in Ladakh, and apong in Arunachal to… nothing in Gujarat, the range is massive.

But the downside: watch out for local regulations. Legal ages and hours are all over the place! The only thing more complex than the diversity of Indian drinking culture is that of its drinking laws.

And that’s where we come in, to try and make sense of it all.