GIFT City has introduced a distinctive hospitality environment within Gujarat, including regulated access to alcoholic beverages at authorised establishments. However, GIFT City Wine and Dine does not mean alcohol is freely available everywhere in GIFT City or that Gujarat's wider prohibition framework has ended.
Instead, eligible individuals can consume liquor at authorised premises under specific rules covering identity, permits, age, visitor status and the location where alcohol is served.
An important change came through a Gujarat Home Department notification dated 20 December 2025. The revised framework simplified access for eligible visitors from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals, expanded permitted consumption areas within approved hospitality premises and increased the number of visitors that a GIFT City Liquor Access Permit holder may host.
This guide explains how the GIFT City Wine and Dine system currently works, who may need a Liquor Access Permit or Temporary Permit, what visitors from outside Gujarat should know and what to check before visiting.
Important: Liquor regulations can be amended. Before relying on this information for a visit or event, confirm the latest requirements through the official GIFT City Liquor Access Permit system or the authorised hotel, restaurant or club you intend to visit. The official GIFT City website currently links directly to its Liquor Access Permit Portal.
What Is GIFT City Wine and Dine?
GIFT City, or Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, is a financial and technology business district in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. In 2023, the Gujarat government introduced a special framework permitting regulated liquor service and consumption within GIFT City under specified conditions. The policy was subsequently expanded through amendments, including the significant changes notified in December 2025.
The term GIFT City Wine and Dine generally refers to the regulated arrangement under which authorised hotels, restaurants, clubs or other approved hospitality premises can serve liquor to eligible consumers.
It should not be understood as unrestricted alcohol access.
A more accurate explanation is:
GIFT City Wine and Dine is a controlled liquor-service framework that permits eligible people to consume alcoholic beverages at authorised premises within GIFT City, subject to applicable identity, permit, age and licensing requirements.
This distinction matters because Gujarat continues to operate under prohibition laws, while GIFT City functions under a specific exemption and regulatory framework.
Is Alcohol Legal in GIFT City?
Yes, alcohol can be legally consumed in GIFT City by eligible individuals at authorised premises, subject to the applicable rules.
That answer requires an important qualification.
The special GIFT City framework does not make alcohol unrestricted throughout Gandhinagar or Gujarat. It permits liquor service and consumption within the scope of approved licences, permits and exemptions applicable to GIFT City.
For example, the current rules distinguish among Liquor Access Permit holders, Temporary Permit holders and certain visitors classified as “External Persons.” The requirements for each category are not identical.
Therefore, statements such as “anyone can drink in GIFT City” are too broad and may mislead visitors.
The better question is:
Which GIFT City Wine and Dine eligibility category applies to you?
Who Can Consume Liquor Under the Current GIFT City Wine and Dine Rules?
The current framework creates different access routes depending on whether a person works in GIFT City, is visiting from outside Gujarat, is a foreign national or is visiting through a GIFT City employee.
|
Person |
General Access Route |
Key Requirement |
|
Eligible GIFT City employee |
Liquor Access Permit |
Valid LAP and applicable conditions |
|
Visitor from another Indian state |
External Person route |
Valid qualifying photo identification |
|
Foreign national |
External Person route |
Valid photo identification |
|
Guest hosted through a GIFT City LAP holder |
Temporary Permit route |
Host must follow Temporary Permit procedure |
|
Food-only restaurant visitor |
Dining access |
Dining access itself does not establish liquor eligibility |
Under the December 2025 amendment, an eligible person from outside Gujarat or a foreign national can consume liquor at approved GIFT City hospitality premises by producing valid photo identification, rather than obtaining the Temporary Permit that had previously been required for this visitor category.
For guests being hosted through a GIFT City employee's Liquor Access Permit, the Temporary Permit mechanism continues to have relevance.
GIFT City Wine and Dine Rules for Employees
Employees working with eligible companies, organisations or units in GIFT City can use the Liquor Access Permit, commonly referred to as an LAP.
The current government framework includes Form A-1 for employee permit applications. The permit documentation relates to employees consuming liquor at eligible F.L. III licensed premises within GIFT City.
GIFT City's current official Liquor Access Permit portal provides facilities for employee permits and also shows options related to guest and group permits.
An employee should therefore not assume that simply possessing a company ID automatically grants liquor access. Where the LAP framework applies, the required permit process should be completed and current eligibility should be confirmed.
GIFT City Wine and Dine Rules for Visitors from Outside Gujarat
One of the most important changes introduced in December 2025 concerns visitors coming from other Indian states.
Under the revised framework, a person from outside Gujarat who falls within the applicable External Person category can consume liquor at designated or approved GIFT City hotels and restaurants by showing valid photo identification. The earlier requirement for such external visitors to obtain a Temporary Permit was removed.
This means, for example, that an eligible visitor arriving from another state does not necessarily have to follow the same Temporary Permit process as a local guest being hosted through a Liquor Access Permit holder.
However, “no Temporary Permit required” does not mean “no rules apply.”
Identity verification, age requirements, authorised-premises requirements and other conditions remain relevant.
Visitors should carry valid original or otherwise acceptable identification and confirm the establishment's entry and verification process before travelling.
What Are the GIFT City Wine and Dine Rules for Foreign Nationals?
Foreign nationals are also covered by the revised External Person framework.
The December 2025 rules allow eligible foreign visitors to consume liquor at approved premises in GIFT City upon presenting valid photo identification, without following the former Temporary Permit requirement applicable to external visitors.
This is particularly relevant to international professionals, business travellers, conference attendees and other foreign visitors coming to GIFT City.
The rule should still be understood as regulated access at authorised premises, rather than unrestricted liquor access across GIFT City.
Can Gujarat Residents Consume Alcohol in GIFT City?
This question requires more care than a simple yes-or-no answer.
A Gujarat resident does not become an “External Person” simply by entering GIFT City. The photo-ID-based relaxation introduced for people from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals therefore should not be applied automatically to local Gujarat residents.
However, the rules also provide a Temporary Permit mechanism for visitors hosted through an eligible GIFT City Liquor Access Permit holder.
Under the amended framework, an LAP-holding employee may invite visitors using the applicable Temporary Permit process and must accompany those visitors.
Therefore, a Gujarat resident who wants to consume liquor at a GIFT City Wine and Dine venue should first determine which legal permit route applies rather than assuming either automatic eligibility or automatic prohibition.
What Is a GIFT City Liquor Access Permit?
A Liquor Access Permit, or LAP, is the employee-focused permit used within GIFT City's regulated liquor framework.
The government notification includes an employee application mechanism under Form A-1, while the current official GIFT City permit portal provides online functionality for employee permit applications and permit-card access.
The permit framework is intended to connect liquor access with verified employment and authorised participation within GIFT City's regulated system.
For employees, the practical process may include identity and employment verification through the authorised system. Because processes and portal requirements can be updated, employees should use the current application instructions displayed on the official portal rather than relying on screenshots or blog articles published under older rules.
How Does the Temporary Permit Work for GIFT City Visitors?
The Temporary Permit system remains relevant for certain guests who are being hosted through a Liquor Access Permit holder.
Under the December 2025 changes, one Liquor Access Permit-holding employee can bring up to 25 visitors, subject to the applicable Temporary Permit procedure. The permit holder must accompany the visitors.
In practical terms, the process can be understood as:
LAP Holder → Visitor Details → Temporary Permit Process → Host Accompanies Visitors → Consumption at Eligible Premises
This is different from the current route for qualifying visitors from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals, who can use the External Person identification route.
That difference is one of the most important points to understand when researching GIFT City liquor permits.
Do Visitors from Outside Gujarat Need a Temporary Permit?
Generally, not when they qualify under the current External Person provisions.
Under the December 2025 amendment, eligible visitors from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals can access liquor service at approved GIFT City premises by showing valid photo identification. The earlier Temporary Permit requirement for this visitor category was removed.
However, this should not be interpreted as a blanket rule for every visitor.
Someone who does not qualify under the External Person definition may need another applicable permit route.
What Is the Minimum Drinking Age in GIFT City?
Under the amended GIFT City framework, the relevant Liquor Access Permit holders, Temporary Permit holders and External Persons must be at least 21 years old.
Visitors should therefore expect age and identity verification at authorised establishments.
Being present in GIFT City or attending a private event does not override the minimum-age requirement.
Where Can Alcohol Be Consumed in GIFT City?
The December 2025 amendments expanded where liquor may be served and consumed within appropriately authorised hotel and restaurant premises.
Previously, the framework was more closely associated with specifically designated Wine and Dine areas. Under the revised rules, eligible service can extend to approved areas such as lawns, poolside spaces, terraces and other relevant food-and-beverage areas within authorised premises.
Eligible hotel guests may also be able to order liquor through an F.L. III licence holder for consumption in their hotel room, subject to the applicable conditions.
This does not mean alcohol can be consumed anywhere within GIFT City.
The relaxation applies within the scope of authorised hospitality premises and applicable licensing conditions.
Can You Enter a GIFT City Wine and Dine Restaurant Only for Food?
Yes.
The amended rules clarify that a person visiting a restaurant for food may sit in its Wine and Dine area even if that person is not consuming liquor.
This addresses an important distinction:
Access to a dining area and eligibility to consume alcohol are not the same thing.
A person may be able to dine in the restaurant, but alcohol can only be served when the customer satisfies the applicable liquor-access requirements.
That makes GIFT City Wine and Dine establishments more practical for mixed groups in which some guests consume alcohol and others do not.
Can You Drink Alcohol Anywhere in GIFT City?
No.
The GIFT City relaxation operates through authorised establishments and approved areas. It should not be interpreted as permission for unrestricted drinking in public areas, offices, roads, residential spaces or any location simply because it falls within GIFT City.
Visitors should consume alcohol only where the relevant establishment is legally authorised to serve it.
If there is any uncertainty, ask the venue before ordering or carrying alcohol into another area.
Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol to a Wine and Dine Venue?
Do not assume that a GIFT City Wine and Dine permission operates as a general BYOB permission.
Wine and Dine service operates through licensed establishments, and the legal authority of a hotel, restaurant or club depends on the type and scope of licence it holds.
Similarly, Wine and Dine rules should not be confused with separate permissions that may apply to an authorised liquor shop. For example, GIFT City Club currently describes both an on-site Wine and Dine facility and a separate liquor-shop offering subject to government rules.
The safest approach is to follow the specific venue's current licensed procedure rather than assuming that alcohol may be brought in, carried away or transferred between locations.
What Changed in the December 2025 GIFT City Wine and Dine Rules?
The December 2025 notification significantly changed how the framework works for visitors and hospitality businesses.
|
Earlier Position |
Current Framework After December 2025 Changes |
|
External visitors commonly required temporary visitor permission |
Qualifying out-of-Gujarat and foreign visitors can use valid photo ID |
|
Alcohol consumption was focused on designated Wine and Dine areas |
Service can extend to additional approved hotel/restaurant areas |
|
Visitor hosting was more restrictive |
An LAP holder can host up to 25 visitors under the applicable Temporary Permit process |
|
Wine and Dine areas could be misunderstood as alcohol-only spaces |
Food-only customers may also sit in the dining area |
|
Visitor access rules were more permit-centric |
Different routes now apply depending on visitor category |
The biggest practical change is therefore not simply that “liquor rules were relaxed.” It is that eligibility is now more clearly differentiated according to who the visitor is.
For someone planning a visit in 2026, an older article written under the original 2023 rules may therefore provide an incomplete picture.
Does GIFT City Wine and Dine Mean Gujarat Is No Longer a Dry State?
No.
GIFT City's Wine and Dine framework is a specific regulated relaxation within Gujarat's broader prohibition system. Gujarat did not abolish prohibition statewide when GIFT City's rules were introduced or amended.
The distinction is important for anyone travelling between GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat.
Rules applicable at an authorised GIFT City venue should not automatically be assumed to apply outside that regulatory environment.
What Documents Should You Carry?
The exact requirement depends on the category under which you are accessing the venue.
For an eligible External Person coming from another Indian state or from outside India, valid photo identification is central to the current access framework. Employees using the LAP system and guests using Temporary Permits should follow the documentation requirements shown in the relevant permit process.
The official GIFT City permit portal currently supports employee permits, guest permits and group permits, making it the most appropriate starting point for people whose access depends on a formal permit.
Avoid relying on generic online checklists that claim several documents are mandatory for every visitor. Requirements differ according to eligibility category.
GIFT City Wine and Dine Checklist Before You Visit
Before planning an evening, corporate dinner or hospitality event in GIFT City:
- Identifyyour eligibility category. Determinewhether you are an LAP holder, Temporary Permit guest, out-of-Gujarat visitor or foreign national.
- Carry theappropriate identificationor permit. Do not assume a verbal explanation of your visitor status will be sufficient.
- Confirm that you meet the 21+ age requirement.
- Choose an authorised venue. Not every restaurant or location in GIFT City should automatically be assumed to have liquor-service permission.
- Check guest requirements in advance. If you are attending through an LAP holder, make sure the applicable Temporary Permit procedure has been followedand the host willaccompanythe visitors.
- Follow the venue's service rules. Areas, timings, entryrequirementsand the way liquor is ordered may depend on the establishment's licence.
- Reconfirm the latest rules before visiting. Regulatory requirements can change, so use official GIFT City resources for current information.
Frequently Asked Questions About GIFT City Wine and Dine
Is alcohol allowed in GIFT City?
Yes. Eligible people can legally consume liquor at authorised GIFT City premises under the applicable Wine and Dine, permit and identification framework. It is not unrestricted permission to drink anywhere in GIFT City.
Do visitors from Mumbai, Delhi or other Indian states need a GIFT City liquor permit?
Qualifying visitors from outside Gujarat can currently use the External Person route and consume liquor at authorised establishments by presenting valid photo identification, rather than obtaining the Temporary Permit previously required for this category.
Can foreign tourists consume alcohol in GIFT City?
Yes, eligible foreign nationals are included within the revised external-visitor framework and may access liquor service at authorised premises using valid photo identification, subject to the applicable rules.
Do GIFT City employees need a Liquor Access Permit?
The employee framework continues to use the Liquor Access Permit system. GIFT City's official portal currently provides an employee permit application facility.
Can an Ahmedabad resident drink alcohol in GIFT City?
An Ahmedabad or other Gujarat resident does not qualify for the out-of-Gujarat External Person route simply by visiting GIFT City. Depending on the circumstances, another legal permit route—such as being an eligible guest under the Temporary Permit process—may apply.
How many guests can a Liquor Access Permit holder bring?
Under the amended rules, one Liquor Access Permit holder may bring up to 25 visitors through the applicable visitor-permit mechanism and must accompany those visitors.
What is the minimum age for alcohol consumption in GIFT City?
The relevant minimum age under the amended framework is 21 years for Liquor Access Permit holders, Temporary Permit holders and External Persons.
Can I visit a Wine and Dine restaurant if I do not drink alcohol?
Yes. The current rules allow people visiting for food to sit in the Wine and Dine area. However, entering the dining area does not itself make a person eligible to consume liquor.
Can alcohol be served on a hotel terrace or poolside?
The revised framework expanded eligible service beyond traditional Wine and Dine zones to additional approved areas of licensed hotel and restaurant premises, including areas such as lawns, poolside spaces and terraces.
Can hotel guests consume liquor in their room?
Eligible hotel guests may order liquor through the appropriate F.L. III licensed arrangement for consumption in a hotel room, subject to the applicable conditions.
Does the GIFT City liquor policy apply everywhere in Gujarat?
No. GIFT City operates under a specific regulated exemption. The same Wine and Dine rules should not be assumed to apply elsewhere in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad or Gujarat.
Final Takeaway
The GIFT City Wine and Dine framework has evolved considerably since controlled liquor access was first introduced in 2023.
The most important development for visitors came with the 20 December 2025 amendment. Eligible people visiting from outside Gujarat and foreign nationals can now access liquor service at authorised GIFT City establishments using valid photo identification, while eligible GIFT City employees continue to use the Liquor Access Permit framework. LAP holders can also host up to 25 visitors under the applicable Temporary Permit procedure.
The revised framework also provides greater flexibility within authorised hospitality premises, including approved areas such as terraces, lawns and poolside spaces.
For visitors, the key is to avoid treating GIFT City as an unrestricted exception to Gujarat's liquor laws. Instead, identify your eligibility category, carry the required permit or identification, use an authorised establishment and verify the latest requirements before your visit.
In simple terms: GIFT City Wine and Dine offers legal access—but legal access remains regulated.
Editorial & Regulatory Note
This article is intended to provide general informational guidance about GIFT City Wine and Dine rules and should not be treated as legal advice. Regulatory requirements, approved establishments, permit processes and operational conditions may change.
Information in this guide was reviewed against the Gujarat Government Gazette notification dated 20 December 2025, current GIFT City Liquor Access Permit resources and supporting regulatory/hospitality reporting available as of August 2026.
Readers should verify current requirements through official government/GIFT City channels or the authorised establishment before consuming alcohol, organising an event or relying on a particular permit category.
