If you’re heading to GIFT City or Gandhinagar and wondering where to get alcohol, the answer is different from what you’d expect in other cities. Unlike Ahmedabad, where you can walk into a permit wine shop with your permit and buy a bottle to take home, GIFT City has no retail liquor shops at all. Instead, alcohol is available only at licensed hotels, restaurants, and clubs within GIFT City’s boundaries, consumed on the premises, not taken away. This guide explains exactly where you can drink in GIFT City, what’s changed since December 2025, and where to find the nearest permit wine shop if you need one outside GIFT City. For the full policy background, read our GIFT City liquor policy guide.
The short answer: no retail liquor shops inside GIFT City
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This surprises most people. GIFT City is an SEZ (Special Economic Zone) with special exemptions from Gujarat’s prohibition laws, but those exemptions apply only to on-premises consumption at licensed hospitality venues. There is no government permit wine shop, no bottle shop, and no takeaway alcohol sales within GIFT City. If you want to sit in a hotel bar or restaurant and order a drink, you can do that. If you want to buy a bottle and take it back to your room or office, you cannot, at least not from within GIFT City itself.
This is by design. The exemption was created to make GIFT City viable as an international financial centre where business meetings, client dinners, and networking events can follow global norms. It was never intended to create a retail liquor market. For GIFT City’s full background, see our complete GIFT City guide.
Where to get alcohol in GIFT City: verified venues
Three establishments within GIFT City are confirmed to hold FL-3 licenses and serve alcohol on premises. All three are within the GIFT City boundary.
The Leela Gandhinagar. Sector 16, GIFT City
The Leela is GIFT City’s flagship luxury property. It holds an FL-3 license and serves alcohol at its bar and lounge facilities. The Royal Club Lounge on the 8th floor offers evening beverages for Royal Club guests. The property also has additional bar access for dining guests. The Leela is the most commonly cited venue for business dinners with alcohol in GIFT City. If you’re a visitor staying at or dining at The Leela, this is the most straightforward option. Contact the hotel directly to confirm current bar hours before visiting.
Grand Mercure GIFT City. Infocity, GIFT City
Grand Mercure (an Accor Hotels property) is the second confirmed FL-3 license holder in GIFT City. Lounge 56 is the bar facility here. The hotel has 151 rooms and operates as a business hotel catering to GIFT City’s corporate crowd. Note that Sangam, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, is non-alcoholic, alcohol service is specific to the bar/lounge area. Confirm current timings with the hotel before visiting.
GIFT City Club. GIFT City (Radisson Individuals member)
GIFT City Club is a members’ club within GIFT City with an FL-3 license. RISE Restaurant at the club serves premium spirits and cocktails alongside Indian and international cuisine. The cblu poolside bar is a second option. Access to the club requires either membership or eligibility as a Liquor Access Permit (LAP) holder. Foreign nationals and non-Gujarati visitors with valid photo ID can also access the club under the December 2025 policy update. If you’re a regular GIFT City visitor, a club membership may be worth considering for consistent access.
What changed in December 2025, and why it matters
On December 20, 2025, the Gujarat government significantly simplified liquor access rules within GIFT City. The most important change: non-Gujarati visitors no longer need a liquor permit to consume alcohol at GIFT City licensed venues. Previously, even visitors from other Indian states needed to apply for a permit through the E-PERMIT portal before they could legally drink at GIFT City hotels and restaurants.
Under the new rules:
- Indian nationals from outside Gujarat: Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driver’s licence) is sufficient. No permit needed.
- Foreign nationals: Valid passport is sufficient. No permit needed.
- Gujarat residents: Still need a valid liquor permit. The prohibition rules for Gujarat residents have not changed.
- Minimum age: 21 years for all visitors.
This change makes GIFT City significantly more accessible for the business travellers, consultants, and foreign professionals it was designed to serve. If you’ve previously avoided dining with alcohol at GIFT City because of the permit process, the December 2025 update removes that friction for most visitors. For the full permit process if you’re a Gujarat resident, see our Gujarat liquor permit guide.
Nearest permit wine shops to GIFT City
If you need to buy a bottle (to take away), you’ll have to leave GIFT City. The closest verified permit wine shop is in GIDC Bhat, on the Ahmedabad Airport–Gandhinagar road.
Narayani Heights Permit Shop. GIDC Bhat
Narayani Heights hotel in GIDC Bhat operates a government-licensed permit wine shop on its premises. This is the closest well-stocked permit shop to both GIFT City and the Gandhinagar–Ahmedabad corridor. It sits near Apollo Hospital on the airport road. It is convenient whether you’re travelling from Ahmedabad to GIFT City or returning. Standard permit shop hours apply: open approximately noon to 8 PM, closed Sundays, second Saturdays, and government holidays. You’ll need a valid liquor permit to purchase, non-Gujarati visitors should carry their E-PERMIT or the permit issued on arrival.
Permit wine shops in Gandhinagar city
Gandhinagar city proper, outside GIFT City, is fully under Gujarat prohibition. Permit wine shops within Gandhinagar city limits are extremely limited. Fortune Inn Haveli (Sector 11, Gandhinagar) is referenced as having associated liquor access, but the exact nature of this, whether it’s a standalone permit shop or hotel-bar-only service, could not be confirmed from public sources. If you’re staying in Gandhinagar and need a permit shop, Narayani Heights in GIDC Bhat (above) and the permit shops in Ahmedabad are the reliable options. The Ahmedabad permit wine shops guide covers the full area-wise list.
Do you need a permit to visit GIFT City venues?
Post December 2025: if you are not a Gujarat resident, no. Show your photo ID at the venue and you’re covered. If you are a Gujarat resident, yes, you still need a valid liquor permit. Permits are issued through the E-PERMIT portal (eps.gujarat.gov.in) or at the Nashabandhi and Prohibition office. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the permit application process, the Gujarat liquor permit guide covers each step. Applications typically take 1–3 working days online.
Practical tips for GIFT City visitors
Always call ahead before visiting any GIFT City venue specifically for drinks. Bar hours can differ from restaurant hours and may require prior booking, especially for The Leela and Grand Mercure. GIFT City Club access requires confirming your eligibility before arrival. Alcohol is not available for delivery or room service if you are not staying at the hotel. If you are attending a corporate event or conference at GIFT City, alcohol at the event will typically be arranged by the venue, check with your host rather than assuming it will or won’t be available. For getting to GIFT City, see our Ahmedabad to GIFT City travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any permit wine shops inside GIFT City?
No. GIFT City has no retail permit wine shops where you can buy a bottle to take away. Alcohol inside GIFT City is available only through on-premises consumption at licensed hotels and clubs. The Leela Gandhinagar, Grand Mercure GIFT City, and GIFT City Club. The nearest permit wine shop is at Narayani Heights in GIDC Bhat, on the Ahmedabad airport road.
Can I drink at GIFT City restaurants without a Gujarat liquor permit?
If you are not a Gujarat resident, yes, as of December 2025, a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, or driver’s licence) is sufficient. You no longer need a Gujarat liquor permit. If you are a Gujarat resident, you still need a valid permit before consuming alcohol anywhere in Gujarat, including GIFT City.
Which is the best hotel bar in GIFT City?
The Leela Gandhinagar is the most established option, with the Royal Club Lounge and bar facilities. Grand Mercure’s Lounge 56 is the alternative. Both are 5-star properties. GIFT City Club’s RISE Restaurant is a third option if you have or can arrange club access. Call ahead for current hours and reservation requirements.
What are the bar timings at GIFT City hotels?
Bar timings vary by venue and can change. The Leela Gandhinagar and Grand Mercure GIFT City operate within general hotel guidelines, typically noon or early evening through 11 PM, but specific bar hours should be confirmed directly with each property before visiting. Do not rely on third-party listings for timings, as they are frequently outdated.
Can I buy alcohol in Gandhinagar outside GIFT City?
Gandhinagar city, outside GIFT City, is under full Gujarat prohibition. There are very few permit wine shops in Gandhinagar proper. Narayani Heights in GIDC Bhat (near Apollo Hospital, on the airport road) is the most reliably accessible option near GIFT City and Gandhinagar. For a broader selection, the Ahmedabad permit wine shops are 30–40 minutes away.
Is the GIFT City liquor policy different from the rest of Gujarat?
Yes, significantly. Gujarat is a dry state under the Bombay Prohibition Act 1949. GIFT City has a carve-out as a Special Economic Zone, allowing licensed venues to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption. This exemption does not extend to retail sales or to areas outside GIFT City’s boundaries. For a detailed breakdown of how the policy works, see the GIFT City liquor policy guide.
Last verified: March 2026. GIFT City’s liquor policy has been updated several times in recent years, check directly with venues for the most current access and service rules.
