10 Countries Where Alcohol Is Illegal (Slideshow)

While it's illegal for locals to purchase spirits in Afghanistan, there are plenty of places licensed to sell drinks to foreigners.

In Bahrain, alcohol is only available in hotels and through private licenses for sale to non-Muslims only. Drinking alcohol in public is still illegal, and being drunk can actually get you thrown behind bars.

While alcohol used to be illegal here entirely, the laws (and local habits) are now a little more fluid. Hotel bars — while incredibly expensive — are legal, and according to our sources, there are some "sketchy" bars outside the hotels as well.  To take home a bottle, however, you need a foreign passport, although there's also a duty-free in the airport, and bribery will do wonders for locals obtaining a bottle or two, as well.

This oil-rich country has some extremely strict laws – and pretty serious punishments, including flogging regarding alcohol use. While it's illegal for the little people, however, the sultan of Brunei's family are known for hosting extravagant parties that don't seem dry in the slightest.

India has what are probably the most complex alcohol laws of any country: the legality of alcohol and age restrictions are dependent on the state, there are plenty of dry days that exist in wet states, and the age restrictions on drinking vary widely across the country. In Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and the island territory Lakshadweep, alcohol is completely illegal.

While illegal for Muslims – and harshly punished (an Iranian couple was sentenced to death for their third alcohol violation) – the country's Christian minority are allowed to drink, and often distil arak, a moonshine made from raisins.

While liquor stores may be legal, that doesn't mean they are accepted by everyone – there have been some deadly attacks on multiple liquor stores in West Baghdad.

Not only is alcohol banned in Libya, but the illicit booze that does make it in can be incredibly dangerous – in 2013, some bad 'bokha' (a local brew made from fruits like figs, dates or grapes) killed more than 50  people.

You can't buy booze legally anywhere in Saudi, but that doesn't stop some people from trying. Imprisonment, fines, and even flogging are considered apt punishments for selling alcohol in the country, and foreigners are just as subject to local law as anyone else.

While non-Muslim residents may apply for a license to drink liquor in their own homes and a permit to drink them in licensed establishments, the drinking culture here among non-Muslims — or non-religious Muslims — is huge. That said, the laws are still very strict — if you're caught drinking without a license or you cause trouble while under the influence, don't expect any leniency.