What alcohol is worth buying in Sharm el-Sheikh?

Opinions differ. In October 2026 one participant called local gin, rum and brandy quite decent and said a decent local whisky is sold only at Drinkies, not in hotels. Another warned at the same time that local sparkling wine and alcohol in general are very specific and advised bringing your own. Bottled Stella beer, according to October messages, is sold almost everywhere, imported beer in many places.

For drinkable wine, try Drinkies: the selection is mostly local table wine, but it is noticeably better than the boxed wine served at hotels.

Where to buy spirits near your hotel: in August 2026 participants said there are a couple of liquor shops on the side streets leading to the sea, on the way to the Fix Price store. At hotels with an alcohol-free concept, according to a traveler who stayed the year before, you can buy alcohol in specialised shops, but you cannot drink it openly there.

In July 2026 tourists went to a Drinkies store across the road from their hotel for canned beer and gin; tonic, they said, cost 1–2 USD at a shop next to it.

According to a July 2026 message, duty-free adds about $13 to the price of a bottle and you can buy no more than 2 bottles — the author doubted it was worth it.

The same participant wrote in July 2026 that liquor shops in Sharm itself sell only local alcohol, which in their view is not worth buying, with the exception of local beer, which is decent. In August 2026 another traveler also called the local beer fine and advised choosing pricier spirits or bringing them from duty-free.

In June 2026, the 'branded' alcohol recommended from duty-free meant liqueurs, vermouth, cognac and vodka. Sparkling and still wine here are mostly locally produced, according to the participant; Moët was mentioned as an exception, at about 30,000 Egyptian pounds.

In June 2026 one participant wrote that the only local drinks worth buying are Cubana rum and ouzo from Drinkies, comparing everything else to 'rocket fuel'. In August 2026 another traveler also mentioned 'almost decent' rum at Drinkies.

If the alcohol you brought runs out, participants in June 2026 suggested buying more at Drinkies or duty-free; they rated local whisky as 'not great'.