Alcohol Bangladesh

This is an old thread but I have a few things to add on one of my favorite subjects.

I have used H Kabir many times. At times there is a problem getting stock in the country due to import quotas and restrictions put in place by the government. At one stage there was no Heineken in the country (see later exception). The only beer available was "Baron" which was crap. They normally have Teachers, Lauders, Mackenzie, Passport and Black label. Brands vary depending on what is in stock. They normally have wine and champagne.

The government licensed shops which LP mentions are crap. They sell locally produced fire water. The gin and vodka are just OK. But people in Bangladesh would put poison in your booze if it was cheaper than selling you straight booze.

Don't buy on the "black market" because there are many cases of poisoning. For example, in Chittagong (where I live) a group selling booze in Kulshie had machinery to cap old bottles. They were selling Teachers, and other brands, mixed with god knows what. I had some of this stuff and felt pretty bad. In Dhaka people buying off sales from the Dhaka club died of poisoning.

You can get drinks at the Chittagong (Batiari) golf club which is close to the ship building yards. You don't have to play golf. Just wear something with a collar, long trousers and shoes. Foreigners are allowed in free but you have to pay 1500 taka to play golf. This place is controlled by the military who own the land and lease it to the club. They are the exception (as noted above) and almost always have beer in stock. I believe they get it smuggled from ships in the outer anchorage. Some other golf clubs are "wet". Note that the military golf club in Dhaka has no bar. Don't know precisely about the others.

Many private clubs have bars. In Chittagong the catholic club, where they were too stupid to apply for a license when it was easily obtainable, you can buy local fire water. The "Chota" (small) and sometimes called "Seniors" club there is a bar. There is also a bar at the Chittagong club. For a long time they were watering down the booze at the Chittagong club. I drank beer during this period! You can probably bump into someone who will invite you to one of these clubs.

The Dhaka clubs (Dhaka club, Gulshan club) have bars. There are some international clubs; the international club, nordic club, dutch club, american club. If you meet an expat in Dhaka they can probably take you in.

The privilege club (Dhaka) is some kind of pub / night club. It isn't a club in the grand old style just a cheap option. I knew a Sri Lankan guy who had joined. You may meet someone who will invite you. Perhaps you can just turn up? Google them.

They Myanmar embassy sells booze. They are housed in a very modest building. I went with some friends who live in Dhaka. We bought a few crates of beer. Presumably these lads buy using their diplomatic allowance and then sell the stuff to supplement their poor income. You have to go do this at least once just to tell the tale.

The cheapest duty free booze in the world is in Dhaka airport at the Parjatan shop. Just before you hit immigration it will be behind you. They take only FOREX (officially). But they are willing to take taka. A bottle of lauders whiskey costs $8. Buy booze here. Try to bring some in your suitcase also. Yesterday I arrived with two bottles in my suitcase I'd purchased going out of Bangladesh (in a stop in Malysia) and then two from Malysia coming back. I'd have picked up a bottle from Parjatan but I didn't have forex and for some reason the guy at the counter suddenly changed his mind about taking taka.

The allowance is two bottles. The gov. are too stupid to have specified the size. Once I brought in two huge bottles of chivas regal. I pointed out the regulations and a customs person on duty just laughed.

Bangladesh customs at the airport won't bother a foreigner. This might seem strange to you. Even though they have an xray just to detect what dutiable goods you have in your luggage they still won't bust you or demand duty. There is a queue for the X-ray. I walk around. When one of the customs guys indicated that I should queue once I just waved at him and walked past. Early in my stay here I was stopped once and the guy counted my bottles; "one", "two", "three" then pointed to the regulation. He did this a couple of times and I shrugged. He let me go.