Pint sized Brunei is one of the smallest and richest countries in South East Asia. With a tiny population and vast oil wealth, it is the South East Asian equivalent of Qatar or Bahrain. In keeping with the Qatar comparison, it is also a strict Muslim country and as a result is completely dry, unlike the Jakarta Nightlife, which is anything but! That’s not to say you’ll find sand dunes and deserts, what I mean is that you won’t find any alcohol. Or at least that is the theory, if truth were told; it’s a few steps away from truth.
Approximately 70% of the population of Brunei would consider themselves Muslims. The remaining 30% are a mixture of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and other assorted beliefs. That means a significant minority are open to having a drink from time to time, it’s just that they’re not allowed to.
The thing about making something illegal is that it doesn’t disappear; it just becomes more expensive and unregulated. The same is true about buying beer in Brunei. Instead of simply going to a shop, you are passed through a complicated network of friendships and acquaintances until you find what you are looking for, or are given the address of a certain shop.
As a tourist I wouldn’t advise trying to find alcohol, but if you are going to do it anyway this is what To do. First off is head to the Chinese area of town. What you’re looking for are small restaurants with a lucrative side business and lots of happy customers drinking cups from a teapot.
Drinking tea is such an ingrained part of the local culture around this area of the world that everyone does it. You wouldn’t look twice at a couple of people sitting down and chatting over a cuppa, which I suppose is why these teapots are filled with beer. All you need now to make your mission successful is a bit of luck and a large bladder, as I’m sure you’ll end up drinking far too much tea before you find the place you were looking for!
Brunei