The legal gray area
Bangladesh is constitutionally dry; alcohol is prohibited for Muslim citizens but available to non-Muslims with permits and at licensed hotels. In practice, Cox's Bazar hotels serving international tourists stock beer (mostly Heineken and local Crown Lager) and basic spirits. Wine is rare and expensive. You will not find cocktail bars in the Western sense, but several hotel rooftops have drink service alongside food. Expect to pay $4-6 for a beer, $8-12 for a vodka tonic. Do not ask for alcohol loudly or drink it visibly on the street.
The venues below all serve alcohol semi-discreetly. Beers arrive in opaque cups or coffee mugs. Hard liquor is poured at the bar, not the table. This is not Bali; there is no party scene. But if you want a cold beer with a sunset view, these five deliver.
The ranked five
Number one is the Sky Lounge at Sayeman Beach Resort. Eighth-floor terrace, unobstructed ocean views, full bar with imported spirits. The mojitos are competent, and the prawn tempura bar snacks are excellent. Open 5 PM-11 PM, sunset is the prime slot. Two is The Deck at Seagull Hotel, fifth-floor semi-open terrace with bamboo furniture and good music. Beer selection is better than liquor. Three is Ocean Breeze at Long Beach Hotel, rooftop pool area that doubles as a bar after 6 PM. Strong gin and tonics, average food.
Four is Hotel Sea Crown rooftop, much more basic but half the price. Local beer only, but the fried calamari is solid and the vibe is low-key. Five is the rooftop at Hotel Heritage Kolatoli, which barely qualifies as a bar—they bring warm beer in teacups and the view is partly blocked by a new construction next door. Only go if the others are full.
Questions, answered
Hotels in Cox’s Bazar
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