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Iraq » Going OutFood and DrinkThings to know: There is strict adherence to Islamic laws on the consumption of alcohol, which is available within the limits of religious laws. A permit for alcohol may be necessary, although this may only be valid at international hotels. Certain hotels prohibit the consumption of alcohol by visitors. During the lunar month of Ramadan, smoking and drinking in public is not permitted. Waiter service is usual in restaurants.
National specialities: • Dolma (vine leaves, cabbage, lettuce, onions, aubergine, marrow or cucumbers stuffed with rice, meat and spices). • Tikka (small chunks of mutton on skewers grilled on a charcoal fire). • Quozi (small lamb boiled whole and grilled, stuffed with rice, minced meat and spices and served on rice) and masgouf (fish from the Tigris, cooked on the river bank). National drinks: • Arak (a clear, colourless, unsweetened aniseed-flavoured distilled alcoholic drink). Legal drinking age: 21. Tipping: Normal limit is 10 to 15%. NightlifeBaghdad was once famous for its nightlife, with first-class restaurants and all-night clubs where music and sometimes alcohol flowed. Now Iraqi liquor sellers and drinkers are forced underground. Much of the alcohol sold is counterfeit and the price is often more than doubled due to the difficulty in obtaining it. Members-only clubs in Baghdad are currently the only relatively safe havens for socialising, protected by high walls, guards and members lists. Most people stay home at night after 1800 because it is too dangerous to be out. Iraqi cinema and music is on the up, however.
ShoppingThe long-established town markets sell copperware, silver, spices, carpets and brightly coloured rugs. In Baghdad the copper market is a centre of noisy activity with coppersmiths beating their pots into shape.
Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-1300 and 1700-1900; although these can vary. |
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Content in the country guide is updated every 3 months and is to the best of our knowledge accurate and up-to-date. The information contained is intented as a general guide - any opinions or travel advise expressed are not necessarily those of AME Info FZ LLC.
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Content in the country guide is updated every 3 months and is to the best of our knowledge accurate and up-to-date. The information contained is intented as a general guide - any opinions or travel advise expressed are not necessarily those of AME Info FZ LLC.
The information is provided in association with Columbus Travel Publishing Limited and my not be republished or reproduced in anyway without the prior written consent by the publisher.
All information made available from within this product is provided without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, any warranties as to merchantability, non-infringement or fitness for a particular purpose. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from this information.
AME Info FZ LLC or Columbus Travel Publishing Limited shall not be liable for any technical, editorial or typographical or other errors or omissions within the information accessible through this product.
Whilst changes are periodically made to the information herein AME Info FZ LLC or Columbus Publishing Limited does not warrant that information currently accessible is either up-to-date or accurate.
All product names mentioned herein are subject to the trademarks and/or trademark rights of their respective owners.
3D Animated Flags used in this section is courtesy of www.3DFlags.com
Please contact us if you have any questions or corrections to the content in this section.
Information in this section was last updated: Monday, September 29 - 2008
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