tldr: mumbai has some of the highest liquor prices among major indian cities. officer’s choice whisky starts at rs 400-480, kingfisher 500ml is rs 130-150, and absolut vodka runs rs 1600-1800. maharashtra’s excise duty is steep, making everything 15-25% more expensive than delhi and 30-40% more than goa. if you drink regularly, planning liquor purchases around goa trips can save serious money.
mumbai is a city that drinks. from the tapri bars of lower parel to the rooftop lounges of bandra, alcohol is woven into the city’s social fabric. but if there’s one consistent complaint mumbai drinkers have, it’s the prices. maharashtra’s excise policy is one of the most expensive in india, and it shows on every price tag.
the state’s higher excise duty means that the same bottle of whisky, beer, or vodka costs noticeably more in mumbai than it does in delhi, chandigarh, or goa. the permit system (technically you need a license to drink in maharashtra) adds another layer of bureaucracy, though it’s rarely enforced in practice for regular consumers. the result is a market where you pay a premium for the privilege of drinking.
all prices listed below are approximate for 2026, based on current pricing data from maharashtra excise records and retail surveys. prices may vary between shops but generally stick close to MRP.
whisky prices in mumbai (2026)
whisky dominates mumbai’s liquor market. here’s what every major brand costs for 750ml.
budget and mid-range whisky — under rs 1000
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| officer’s choice | blue | rs 400-480 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| officer’s choice | black | rs 460-540 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | reserve | rs 460-550 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| imperial blue | regular | rs 500-580 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | regular | rs 650-750 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | barrel select | rs 800-920 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | regular | rs 800-950 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | reserve collection | rs 950-1100 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
notice how officer’s choice starts at rs 400 in mumbai when it’s rs 250 in goa. that’s a 60% markup for the same bottle. the best whisky under 1000 guide covers budget options that work well even at mumbai prices.
premium whisky — rs 1000 and above
image: kingfisher drinks
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pipers | deluxe | rs 1000-1150 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| black dog | black reserve | rs 1300-1500 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| teachers | highland cream | rs 1400-1600 | 40% | blended scotch |
| vat 69 | regular | rs 1250-1400 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | red label | rs 1800-2000 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | black label | rs 3500-4000 | 40% | blended scotch |
| chivas regal | 12 year | rs 3400-3800 | 40% | blended scotch |
| glenfiddich | 12 year | rs 3800-4300 | 40% | single malt |
| jack daniels | old no. 7 | rs 3000-3500 | 40% | tennessee whiskey |
| glenlivet | 12 year | rs 3800-4300 | 40% | single malt |
premium scotch in mumbai carries a noticeable premium over delhi. JW black at rs 3500-4000 is rs 300-400 more than delhi. for regular premium whisky drinkers, this difference adds up over months.
rum prices in mumbai (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| old monk | original | rs 400-450 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| old monk | gold | rs 520-620 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | celebration rum | rs 400-470 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| bacardi | carta blanca (white) | rs 850-960 | 37.5% | white rum |
| bacardi | gold | rs 900-1000 | 40% | gold rum |
| captain morgan | original spiced | rs 1000-1150 | 35% | spiced rum |
old monk at rs 400-450 is still reasonable value even at mumbai prices. that’s under rs 40 per peg for aged rum. the best rum under 1000 guide has more options at this price point.
beer prices in mumbai (2026)
beer in mumbai is noticeably more expensive than delhi or bangalore. here are the retail prices.
| brand | variant | size | price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kingfisher | premium lager | 500ml | rs 130-150 | 4.8% |
| kingfisher | strong | 500ml | rs 140-170 | 8% |
| kingfisher | ultra | 330ml | rs 110-140 | 5% |
| budweiser | premium | 500ml | rs 150-170 | 5% |
| budweiser | magnum | 500ml | rs 160-185 | 6.5% |
| bira 91 | white | 330ml | rs 110-140 | 4.7% |
| bira 91 | blonde | 330ml | rs 110-140 | 4.5% |
| tuborg | green | 500ml | rs 120-140 | 4.8% |
| tuborg | strong | 500ml | rs 130-155 | 8% |
| heineken | lager | 330ml | rs 130-160 | 5% |
| corona | extra | 330ml | rs 200-240 | 4.5% |
| carlsberg | elephant strong | 500ml | rs 130-150 | 7.2% |
kingfisher at rs 130-150 for 500ml is the baseline. that’s roughly double what it costs in goa for the same bottle. for the complete beer comparison, check the best beer under 200 guide.
vodka prices in mumbai (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| magic moments | regular | rs 580-680 | 37.5% |
| magic moments | remix (flavored) | rs 630-730 | 37.5% |
| romanov | regular | rs 480-560 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | red | rs 850-950 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | green apple | rs 900-1000 | 37.5% |
| absolut | original | rs 1600-1800 | 40% |
| absolut | flavored variants | rs 1700-1900 | 38% |
| grey goose | original | rs 6000-6800 | 40% |
| belvedere | pure | rs 5000-5800 | 40% |
mumbai vodka prices are among the highest in the country. absolut at rs 1600-1800 is rs 600 more than goa. the best vodka under 1000 guide is useful for budget shopping at mumbai prices.
gin prices in mumbai (2026)
mumbai has a strong gin culture, especially in the bandra and lower parel bar scene.
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| greater than | london dry | rs 800-920 | 42.8% |
| stranger & sons | regular | rs 2500-2900 | 42.8% |
| bombay sapphire | london dry | rs 2100-2400 | 47% |
| tanqueray | london dry | rs 2300-2600 | 43.1% |
| gordon’s | london dry | rs 1250-1450 | 37.5% |
| hendrick’s | regular | rs 4200-4800 | 41.4% |
| jin jiji | india dry | rs 2100-2500 | 42.8% |
greater than is the best value gin option in mumbai, though even that is pricier than it would be in goa or delhi. for premium gin, mumbai’s wine shops in bandra, colaba, and lower parel have excellent selection.
wine prices in mumbai (2026)
mumbai has a decent wine culture, with nashik wine country being just a few hours away.
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | type |
|---|---|---|---|
| sula | chenin blanc | rs 550-700 | white |
| sula | shiraz | rs 600-750 | red |
| sula | brut | rs 750-900 | sparkling |
| grover zampa | la reserve | rs 650-800 | red |
| grover zampa | art collection | rs 850-1050 | red |
| fratelli | sette | rs 650-800 | red |
| jacob’s creek | classic shiraz | rs 1000-1200 | red |
| jacob’s creek | sparkling | rs 1100-1300 | sparkling |
| yellowtail | shiraz | rs 1100-1300 | red |
being close to nashik (india’s wine capital), mumbai gets good availability of indian wines. sula and grover zampa are widely stocked and offer reasonable value given the category.
where to buy liquor in mumbai
wine shops (private retail): this is where most mumbaiites buy their alcohol. wine shops are found in every neighborhood, though they’re more concentrated in areas like bandra, andheri, lower parel, and colaba. prices are at MRP.
premium wine and spirit stores: for imported scotch, single malts, craft gin, and wine, head to specialty stores in bandra west, colaba, lower parel, or powai. these shops carry brands and variants that regular wine shops don’t stock.
permit rooms: these are small bars attached to liquor shops, a uniquely maharashtra concept. you can buy a drink and have it right there. prices are retail MRP with a small service charge.
bars and restaurants: mumbai has a massive bar scene from dive bars to luxury lounges. expect 2-4x retail pricing. a pint of kingfisher costs rs 250-450 at bars depending on the venue.
online delivery: mumbai has seen growth in licensed online liquor delivery. check current availability in your area, as regulations continue to evolve.
tips for buying liquor in mumbai
-
plan your goa trips strategically. if you drink regularly, buying in bulk during goa trips saves 20-40% on everything. many mumbaiites consider this a standard practice.
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watch for dry days. maharashtra has several dry days throughout the year (republic day, independence day, gandhi jayanti, election days). plan ahead and stock up before these dates.
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shops close by 10:30pm. don’t wait until late evening. most shops start closing down by 10pm. the late-night scramble for alcohol before shop closing is a real mumbai experience.
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legal age is 25. carry your ID. mumbai shops check more often than you’d expect, especially in upscale areas.
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MRP is your friend. always check the printed MRP on the bottle. mumbai shops stick to MRP, but it’s good practice to verify.
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permit rooms for single drinks. if you just want one drink without committing to a full bottle, permit rooms are cheaper than bars and more convenient.
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bandra and colaba for selection. if you’re looking for something specific or premium, the wine shops in these areas have the best inventory in mumbai.
how mumbai compares to other cities
| city | officer’s choice 750ml | kingfisher 500ml | absolut 750ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| mumbai | rs 400-480 | rs 130-150 | rs 1600-1800 |
| goa | rs 250-300 | rs 60-80 | rs 1000-1200 |
| delhi | rs 350-400 | rs 110-130 | rs 1400-1600 |
| bangalore | rs 380-430 | rs 120-140 | rs 1500-1700 |
| chandigarh | rs 320-370 | rs 100-120 | rs 1300-1500 |
| kolkata | rs 370-420 | rs 110-130 | rs 1450-1600 |
mumbai is consistently the most expensive city on this list. the maharashtra excise premium is real and affects every category.
drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.
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frequently asked questions
what is the legal drinking age in mumbai?
the legal drinking age in mumbai and all of maharashtra is 25 years. this is one of the highest in india. you need a valid government-issued photo ID to purchase alcohol from any licensed shop.
do you need a liquor permit in mumbai?
technically, maharashtra has a permit system where you need a license to consume alcohol. in practice, this is rarely enforced for regular consumers. tourists can get a temporary permit, but most people buy and drink without one. shops don't typically ask for permits.
why is liquor expensive in mumbai?
maharashtra has higher excise duty on alcohol compared to states like goa, delhi, or chandigarh. the state taxes are steep, which pushes up prices across all categories. mumbai's high cost of living also means shops charge the maximum MRP rather than any discounted rates.
what time do liquor shops close in mumbai?
most wine shops in mumbai close by 10:30pm. some shops start winding down by 10pm. bars and restaurants have their own serving hours, typically till 1:30am. dry days are observed on national holidays and during elections.
is liquor cheaper in goa compared to mumbai?
yes, significantly. most brands are 20-40% cheaper in goa compared to mumbai. a kingfisher 500ml that costs rs 130-150 in mumbai is rs 60-80 in goa. this is why many mumbaiites stock up during goa trips.
what is the cheapest whisky in mumbai?
officer's choice blue at rs 400-480 for 750ml is among the cheapest whiskies available in mumbai. mcdowell's no.1 and imperial blue are also in the rs 450-550 range for budget whisky buyers.
can you buy liquor online in mumbai?
maharashtra has allowed some licensed online liquor delivery services. availability varies by area and regulations change frequently. traditional wine shops remain the most reliable purchase option in mumbai.
what are dry days in mumbai?
dry days are days when liquor shops remain closed and alcohol is not served in restaurants and bars. these typically include republic day, independence day, gandhi jayanti, and election days. maharashtra has more dry days than most states.
where can i find premium whisky in mumbai?
premium wine and spirit shops in areas like bandra, colaba, lower parel, andheri west, and powai have the best selection of imported scotch, single malts, and craft spirits. some specialty stores also carry rare bottles not found in regular wine shops.
is craft beer available in mumbai?
yes, mumbai has a growing craft beer scene. brands like bira 91 and white owl are available at wine shops. several microbreweries like doolally, gateway brewing co., and white owl also serve on-tap craft beer at premium prices.