Restaurants told to remove liquor from view

Standalone restaurants in Dubai that have liquor licenses through through a hotel, but are separate from the main hotel building have been told by Dubai police to remove displays of alcohol.

The move by Dubai Police is an effort to enforce an existing law whereby establishments are not allowed to display liquor "in specific racks and showcases, which is a [violation] of the laws and rules related to the service of alcoholic drinks in any specified restaurant in the Emirate of Dubai".

The enforcement has meant certain outlets will have to be redesigned.

Lester Remedios, the restaurant manager at the Meat Company steak-house at Madinat Jumeirah told The National the move was “tough” for restaurateurs, but the outlet had already complied with the edict.

The restaurant is going through a summer refurbishment that will now include a cellar for its wines to further comply with the law. .