Alcohol in Essaouira: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

If you’re visiting this cute AF beach town then you may want to know about drinking alcohol in Essaouira. After all, alcohol is a big part of society in the Western world.

So, you might want a drink (or two) while you watch the sunset on the beach in Essaouira. However, because Morocco is a Muslim country, many people think they can’t drink alcohol in Morocco or that alcohol is hard to find.

TBH, since I moved to Essaouira in January of 2023 I haven’t found this to be the case. Yes, most Muslims don’t drink alcohol in Morocco because it’s “haram” or forbidden in Islam.

There is a verse in the Quran (the holy book in Islam) that refers to alcohol as “the work of Satan”. In fact, my partner is Moroccan and has never had a drink in his life for this very reason.

However, I do know several Moroccans who drink alcohol and have seen many more buying alcohol in Carrefour (local grocery store). But, in general, most Moroccans do not drink alcohol for religious reasons.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t! Yes, it is 100% legal for you to drink alcohol in Essaouira. So, you can easily buy alcohol in Essaouira and drink alcohol in Essaouira.

There are just a few things you need to know before you drink alcohol in Essaouira since the rules regarding alcohol and alcohol consumption are a little different in Morocco than in the Western world.

You also want to be respectful of locals when you drink in Essaouira since many Moroccans consider it to be poison and do NOT want to be around it, like at all (they’ll recoil away from it).

So, this post is gonna show you the ropes when it comes to drinking in Essaouira. You’ll learn where you can and cannot drink in Essaouira and about some of the best nightlife spots in Essaouira.

You’ll also learn whether you can bring alcohol into Essaouira and get the 411 on drinking and driving in Essaouira.

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Disclosure

Yes, I live in Essaouira but I am in no way a Moroccan law expert and I am not telling you what to do. I mean, I can’t even read Arabic and don’t speak French. So, there is no way I can even read local laws in their original text.

I am merely sharing my personal experience with drinking in Essaouira. This way you are better prepared for your trip and know what to expect when drinking alcohol in Essaouira.

I am not telling you what to do and am just sharing advice. So, use my tips at your own risk. I assume no legal liability if you read this article, use it, and get into legal trouble. When in. doubt, ALWAYS consult a legal professional in Morocco.

Can I Drink Alcohol in Essaouira?

The laws regarding drinking in Essaouira are very similar to the laws regarding drinking in Marrakech since both cities are in Morocco.

Generally, Moroccan law allows foreigners to legally drink alcohol, as long as they consume alcohol in restaurants, bars, and hotels that are licensed to serve alcohol.

So, you CANNOT drink alcohol in public or be drunk in public. Do either of these and you are 100% breaking local laws. But, you are welcome to drink alcohol in the comfort of your own home.

Now, if you are looking for a place that serves alcohol, you have a better shot of finding one if you look outside of the Medina.

The Medina is generally considered a sacred space and, as a result, many local restaurants in Essaouira will not serve alcohol there, although there are exceptions.

TBH, just walk along the Main Beach in Essaouira and you will find a ton of restaurants that serve alcohol. You can even sample Moroccan beers like Casablanca, Stork, and Flag Speciale (FYI Casablanca is the best).

Go all the way to the end of the beach and you will find Beach and Friends, as well as several other restaurants that DEFFO serve alcohol. Yeah, over here is a bit of a party spot.

Just be prepared to pay for your alcohol since it is very much NOT cheap in Essaouira and Morocco in general.

Another place you can get alcohol in Carrefour. They have a separate room (to the right) that you can go into and buy all the alcohol that you like. Just be discreet with your alcohol and keep it hidden when walking home with it.

It is legal to carry a closed bottle, but it’s just respectful to locals to keep it concealed since they can have an almost visceral reaction to it.

Lastly, if your hotel or Riad does not serve alcohol, please ask the staff/manager/owner if you can bring alcohol back to your room BEFORE you buy it.

Many of these hotels/riads in Essaouira are privately owned/homes and it would be very rude to bring alcohol into a Mulsim home.

Some owners are foreign and won’t care but Moroccans definitely would. So, always ask before you bring alcohol back to your hotel, riad, or Airbnb.

Local Tip: If all else fails, if you see Westerners drinking, feel free to grab an alcoholic beverage. If the place is filled with locals, do not drink alcohol here.

And if you are at all confused, read the Moroccan penal code. Full disclosure, it’s 252 pages long and in French. So…enjoy.

I would also limit drinking during Ramadan in Essaouira (in 2025 this will be in Marrakech in March) since this is the holiest month of the year and alcohol is very taboo in Islam.

Is Essaouira a Party Town? Is There A Lot of Drinking Alcohol in Essaouira?

TBH, Essaouira is not much of a party town. If you’re looking for cool nightlife and epic bars then head to Marrakech and check out some of the best things to do in Marrakech at night.

I mean, there is a nightlife scene in Essaouira but it is pretty minimal and not well-suited for anyone who loves raving until 4:00 am.

But, if you want to grab a drink on the beach and watch the sunset during your 24 hours in Essaouira then you’re in the right place.

Local Tip: Taros and So Lounge Mogador are probably the two best nightclubs in Essaouira. However, some nice bars in Essaouira are Ocean Vagabond, Beach and Freinds, Salut Maroc, Taros, Il Mare, and Hôtel des Iles.

These are great place to go and make for some of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

Where Can You Buy Alcohol in Essaouira?

So, many restaurants, bars, and hotels sell alcohol in Essaouira. There are a couple of liquor stores too. So, below is a list of all the places (not comprehensive) where you can buy alcohol in Essaouira.

Restaurants

If you are looking for alcohol in Essaouira then there are several places that you can go to enjoy a drink with your meal. In general, steer clear of cafes in Essaouira since they only sell coffee and non-alcoholic beverages.

Instead, hit up iconic eateries like Taverna Bolognese Da Maurizio, Caravan Cafe, Salut Maroc, and Il Mare. All these places are in the Medina and are epic spots to go for a drink at sunset.

Taros is also a great place to go for a drink in the Medina but the food there sucks. TBH, many people go clubbing here since they have a DJ, and the party continues until early in the morning.

If you’re looking for restaurants outside the Medina that sell alcohol then head to Ocean Vagabond and Beach and Friends. Beytt is also a good option.

It’s a nice restaurant near the middle of the beach that plays live DJ music and that serves high-end cuisine. Me Beach is another option but the food/service is very hit or miss here.

So, I just like to grab a drink, relax on a super comfy chair, and watch the sunset in Essaouira.

These beach bars can be found at the other end of Main Beach (furthest away from the Medina) and sell good drinks along the beach. The vibe is also very chill so you 100% will not have to dress up or anything like that.

Actually, you could stop by any of these restaurants and grab a drink since this area is a bit of a party spot and is popular among tourists and expats.

Nightlife Spots

There are a couple of clubs and nightlife hotspots scattered around Essaouira where you can get a drink until the wee hours of the morning.

I have been to Ozo (long story and it was when I first got here) and it was not very good so I would only go there if you need a laugh.

In contrast, Beach and Friends definitely has music and a very club feel to it once the sun goes down. So, does Taro’s. It’s a restaurant located right in the Medina and is known for being the best bar in Essaouira.

If you are looking to party hard while you listen to epic music from live DJs then this is the place to be.

Be forewarned that the food sucks and I would ONLY come here for the DJ music, which usually continues echoing through the Medina well past 2:00 am.

However, they generally close at 11:00 pm but keep the place open later on Fridays and Saturdays when the restaurant/club is packed with tourists. Feel free to visit their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

Beytt is another solid choice along the middle of the beach. The food is high-end and surprisingly good for a place with live DJs/music. I head the music pumping around 10:00 pm most days so definitely worth checking out.

Lastly, if you feel like escaping Essaouira proper then head over to Diabat and check out one of the best hotels in Essaouira.

Inside Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa in Diabat, you’ll find So Lounge Mogador. It’s the place to go if you want to enjoy hardcore clubbing since they are open from Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 am to 4:00 am.

Just know that this spot is about a 10-minute drive from Essaouira. So, grab a taxi if you want to visit and enjoy one of the coolest things to do in Essaouira after dark.

Local Tip: If you like wine then try a wine tasting at Domaine du Val d’Argan. You can stop on the way from Marrakech to Essaouira and it costs around 200 Dirhams ($20.00).

The winery is around a 25-minute drive from Essaouira and they specialize in growing grapes from the Rhone Valley. You can’t just walk in so be sure to make a reservation via email in advance.

It’s a cool place and one of the many things that makes Essaouira worth visiting.

Liquor Stores

If you want a bottle of alcohol in Essaouira then your best bet is to go to Carrefour. As you walk in, make a left and there is a giant separate room that is filled with alcohol. It is called “The Cave” and actually closes before the grocery store.

I mean, I was in the grocery at 9:00 pm and “The Cave” was closed. But, they have a great selection and you can shop at your leisure.

You can even use your card and do grocery shopping while you’re here. It’s a bit outside the medina so you can take a taxi here for 8 Dirhams. I live across the street and usually walk.

FYI, the store is open daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm every other day of the week, but I think the liquor section is closed Fridays.

Personally, I find alcohol to be expensive in Morocco but that makes sense since most people don’t drink it and they probably want to discourage people from drinking.

If you want to go to a liquor store a little closer to the Medina then there are two near Bab Doukkala. Just walk straight ahead as you exit through Bab Doukkala and make an immediate right.

The city walls will be on your right and the liquor store will be on your left halfway down the street. There is no sign and it is pretty discreet. But, if you look inside you’ll see lots of alcohol.

The other liquor store is just behind this one. So, exit Bab Doukkala and make a right on the second street on your right. Walk down the street and you will see the liquor store to your right about halfway down the street.

They are open from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm and closed on Fridays. I personally am not a huge fan of liquor stores and prefer Carrefour but they are A LOT cheaper closer to the Medina.

Local Tip: These stores typically close for holidays like Ramadan in Morocco and Eid Al-Adha. TBH they usually close a few days early.

This is also not the best time to visit Essaouira for drinking since these are high holy days and it would be pretty rude to drink around locals.

What are the Laws About Drinking and Driving?

My best advice is just don’t do it. If you drink alcohol just don’t drive since there is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving in Morocco.

Plus, police carry breathalyzers and can be found all along the roads going into and out of Essaouira. So, if any alcohol is detected on your breath, you could be fined and possibly put in jail.

Is Alcohol Cheap in Morocco?

No, I don’t think alcohol is cheap in Morocco, especially compared to the price of other goods for sale in the country. So, expect to pay around (or more than) what you would pay for drinks in Europe.

Generally, there are high taxes on alcohol in Morocco. So, a domestic, Casablanca beer can cost you $6.00+.

Can You Bring Alcohol Into Morocco With You?

It’s just a hassle to carry it around and you can only bring a small amount into the country. So, I would not bring alcohol into Essaouira with me.

Just to give you perspective, you can take something the size of a small bottle of wine into Morocco and that is about it.

So, I would just get whatever you need at Carrefour or at the liquor store near the Medina. You can even get some at the Duty-Free shop in the airport upon arrival (at least I know this is possible in Marrakech).

Trust me, if you want alcohol you will be able to get it no problem while you are in Essaouira.

That concludes this guide to drinking alcohol in Essaouira. I hope you found this guide useful and can make a better choice when it comes to alcohol in Essaouira.

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