Doha Living

Despite what many people believe, life in Doha is very modern and advanced. You will find all the amenities and facilities that you would find in any Western city, and many more.

Doha is a lot more tolerant towards Westerners than many of the other Middle Eastern cities, partly due to the fact that 80% of the population are now non-Qatari’s. In recent years the economy in Doha has boomed, and a lot of people are choosing to live and work in Qatar, with Doha - the capital city - most people’s first choice of destination.

Despite their tolerant nature, Dohan residents do have many customs, traditions and laws that are quite different to what many people are used to in the West, and because of this it is important to read up on these differences to avoid offending anyone or even prosecution or deportation.

Religion is an important part of every indigenous Dohan’s life, and it shapes the way they live and work. Although there is freedom of speech in Qatar, it is important to remain respectful towards the Emir as well as Islam, in particular their Prophet Mohammed. You may be of another religion, and indeed there are several Churches and other places of worship to accommodate these people, but it is illegal to try and convert a Muslim to your religion. Doing so can result in deportation.

Dress code in Doha is very lenient, and residents are used to seeing Westerners wearing non-Arab dress and most are not offended by this. Saying this, it is best to keep skimpy outfits and bikinis/swimwear to your home or hotel. Summery clothes though are quiet common throughout the year.

Alcohol is not outlawed in Qatar, but it is heavily restricted in terms of where you can buy it, and where you can drink it. There is only one retail store in Doha that is licensed to sell liquor - the Qatar Distribution Centre. Although the prices are significantly higher than their US or European equivalents, they do stock a large range and you won’t struggle to find what you’re after, although there is not a large choice of beers available.

To purchase alcohol in Qatar you need to acquire an alcohol permit. Non- Muslims can get hold of one of these relatively easily, and just requires you to fill out an application form with supporting documents from your employer as well as various forms of identification and the application fee.

Alcohol must not be drunk in public or even seen in public. If you purchase alcohol from the store it must be covered up from sight from the store until your house. Drinking in public is an offence. There is also a zero-tolerance policy towards drink drivers, and the penalties are very severe.

Doha has several bars and clubs that are most popular with tourists and expatriates, although the standards are generally not yet as good as in other large metropolitan cities. Most the bars and clubs in Doha are adjoined to hotels, and you may be surprised at the male to female ratio (it is somewhat in the women‘s favor!). The general rule of thumb is to head to the more expensive hotels, as their bars tend to be of a better standard, although drink prices can be very high.

Most hotels have a bar or club, and one of the more popular ones is Aussie Legends Sports Bar situated within the Ridges Hotel in the city centre. As well as showcasing many sports events from across the world, there is a rooftop pool that is a great place to escape to for a refreshing dip in between drinks.

A popular nightclub in Doha is The Qube. This is a large club situated within the Ramada Hotel and is popular all year round.

Licensed hours in Doha are from 7pm until 3am, although in reality most bars do not stay open this late. Thursday night is the most popular night to go out, as the weekend in Qatar begins on Friday. Fridays are generally one of the quieter nights in the city.

Public displays of affection should be kept to a minimum in Doha. Despite hand holding becoming more acceptable, kissing a person of the opposite sex in public is a definite no go. As well as this, sex outside of marriage is illegal, although if it is kept private and discreet the authorities will generally turn a blind eye.

Shopping is a major part of life in Qatar, and the abundance of modern and traditional shopping opportunities is amazing. From large, bustling souqs and markets to city-sized modern air conditioned shopping malls, there is sure to be something to tickle your fancy.

Doha is a safe city with a very low crime rate. Most people would feel as comfortable walking the streets here alone as in any other developed country.