Alcohol in Iran?

There are no shops where you can buy alchohol legally in Iran.
If you ask around discreetly, people might point you to some black-market shops, but you are always running a risk and will likely be arrested and deported if caught.

Please excuse me, I'm going to be blunt.

Iran is a beautiful country, with some amazing sights. The food is delicious, the tea the nicest I have had, the shopping is fantastic, the people so lovely, friendly and interesting. There are inumerable trips that can be taken and sights to be seen and activities to do.

If you cannot enjoy all this without alcohol you have a problem. You say you will start to miss alcohol "after a few days" . . . how long are you going for? Surely you can manage a week or two without a drink?

If a good holiday/trip for you requires alcohol, maybe Iran isn't the place for you.

There is a similar recent thread on this same topic, with more detail.

Persia has a history of toleration (excellent beer, date wines and brandy, etc.). Tehran is a city of 15-million. Certainly black-market alcohol (drugs and prostitution, etc.) are available. However, at this time as a tourist on a restricted visa, you are highly visible, (possibly even monitored at various levels). Unless you know exactly what you are doing; don't.

Agree, its not worth the risk. if you have to drink alcohol go to Turkey. its against the law and even though it can be found its violating the law of the country your visiting. dont bring yourself or other in troubles.

Hi there,

From both scientific and religious view, your body runs better without alcohol :) so don't worry for avioding it for only 3 weeks!

Regards,
-- Ali

Hi!
Alcohol is a very bad thing for your mind, your health and your body. This has to be the main reason why you don't have to drink not the thing that if caught you will be punished by the government of Iran as this is unlikely to happen.
You won't BE CONTROLLED BY the customs at all. You are a guest in Iran and this a holy thing for them. Even if you do a wrong thing the Iranians are too gentle in order to punish you.
Do a sightseeing, talk to the people, enjoy their food, learn a little bit Farsi and forget the alcohol not only for the three weeks but for always.
Enjoy Iran!

If you have Iranian friends and you visit them it is very likely that they have some drink at home. If not don't go around shopping for it.

If you feel very desparate and need a shot you can buy medicine alcohol (Ethanol) from pharmacies and take a shot! make sure you tell the pharmacist you want the potable (drink able) type, mix it with lots of Coke or non alcoholic beer and cheers, that's what some Irainians do when they can't get the real stuff or it is too expensive for them.

But most Iranians know some guy who delivers them all sorts of alcoholic drinks you find back home, wine, beer (Heineken, Tuborg, Efes), Scotch, Vodka etc.

If you want to get alcohol or get drunk in Iran you need to do only one thing... befriend some cool Iranians! I've never seen such well-stocked cupboards then when I've been invited to Iranian's houses. They have everything you've got at home, except they know how to enjoy it.

Sure, you ought to be able to have fun without getting drunk, etc. But in Iran, unless you know somebody or go to the theatre, you're going to be tucked up in your bed at 8pm!

Thanks to all of you, even to the moralists among you. I`ll stay dry.