Buying alcohol the wine shop system Poya bans and the duty free allowance the practical drinkers guide

Hospitality manager so the practical buying guide Where you buy it the key thing supermarkets generally do NOT sell alcohol (unlike many countries) you buy beer wine and spirits from licensed LIQUOR STORES the wine stores (often literally signed wine stores even though they sell everything) these are dedicated bottle shops found in towns and cities they can look a bit utilitarian (often a counter you order at rather than browse) but they are the normal legal retail source hotels and bars and restaurants with licenses serve of course but for taking a bottle back to your room the wine store is the place The rules the POYA ban this is the big one every full moon Poya day (a monthly public holiday the festival threads) the SALE of alcohol is banned the wine stores close bars go dry and even hotels technically should not sell (some discreetly serve resident guests) so on a Poya you cannot buy alcohol plan ahead buy the day before if you want a drink on a Poya night also sales have set hours and are banned on some other holidays so it is not 24 hour Can women buy comfortably yes though the traditional wine store is a male dominated space and can feel a bit rough or stared at for a woman it is legal and fine many women send a partner or buy at a hotel or a more modern store if they prefer it is a cultural vibe thing not a legal barrier The duty free allowance arriving passengers can bring in a limited allowance of spirits and wine (check the current customs limit) and there is a famous arrivals duty free at the airport where incoming passengers can buy it is worth bringing your allowance if you want imported spirits which are pricey and limited in the local stores Local beer and arrack any good YES the local lager beers are perfectly good and cheap and ARRACK the coconut spirit is the national drink genuinely worth trying (the arrack threads) mixed with soda and lime or ginger beer it is excellent and very affordable drink local and save the duty free allowance for what you cannot get The practical summary buy from the licensed wine stores not supermarkets stock up the day before any Poya (sales banned on the full moon) bring your duty free allowance for imported spirits and enjoy the cheap good local beer and arrack