tldr: uttar pradesh is one of the cheapest states for liquor in india. blenders pride costs just rs 600-700 for 750ml, royal stag about rs 450-550, and imperial blue only rs 380-450. old monk is rs 280-350. even premium scotch like JW red label is rs 1500-1700, well below maharashtra or karnataka prices. low excise duty is the reason UP beats most states on pricing. for lucknow-specific details, check the lucknow guide.
image: blenders pride whisky
uttar pradesh is india’s most populous state and one of its largest liquor markets. it’s also one of the cheapest. UP’s excise policy keeps duties on domestic spirits low, which means budget and mid-range whiskies are genuinely affordable here.
in noida (NCR), lucknow, agra, varanasi, or any of the smaller cities, alcohol is widely available through a mix of state-run shops (thekas) and private licensed retailers. availability of premium and imported brands is excellent in metro areas like noida and lucknow, and decent in tier-2 cities.
state-run vs private shops in UP
UP’s liquor retail is a mix of government and private operations:
state-run shops (government theka):
- sell at exact MRP, no negotiation possible
- basic setup, no frills
- more common in smaller towns and rural areas
- stock is primarily budget and mid-range brands
- reliable for consistent pricing
private licensed shops (FL-3/FL-5):
- operate under excise licenses
- prices should be at MRP, though some charge marginally more
- better range of premium and imported brands
- more common in cities, especially noida and lucknow
- generally better shopping experience
model shops (FL-5):
- sell all categories: IMFL, country liquor, beer, wine
- everything in one place
- usually found in urban areas
all prices below are approximate for 2026, based on UP excise data and retail surveys. for lucknow-specific details, check the lucknow liquor price guide.
whisky prices in uttar pradesh (2026)
budget and mid-range whisky - under rs 1000
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| officer’s choice | blue | rs 320-380 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| officer’s choice | black | rs 370-430 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | reserve | rs 350-420 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| 8 pm | regular | rs 380-450 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| imperial blue | regular | rs 380-450 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | regular | rs 450-550 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | barrel select | rs 620-720 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | regular | rs 600-700 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | reserve collection | rs 750-850 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
these prices are strikingly lower than southern and western states. imperial blue at rs 380-450 in UP vs rs 650 in karnataka is a rs 200 difference for the exact same bottle. blenders pride at rs 600-700 is rs 250-350 cheaper than maharashtra.
premium whisky - rs 1000 and above
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| teachers | highland cream | rs 1000-1100 | 40% | blended scotch |
| 100 pipers | deluxe | rs 800-900 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| black dog | black reserve | rs 1100-1250 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| vat 69 | regular | rs 1000-1150 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | red label | rs 1500-1700 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | black label | rs 3000-3400 | 40% | blended scotch |
| chivas regal | 12 year | rs 2800-3200 | 40% | blended scotch |
| glenfiddich | 12 year | rs 3200-3800 | 40% | single malt |
| jack daniels | old no. 7 | rs 2600-3000 | 40% | tennessee whiskey |
even at the premium end, UP undercuts most states. JW red label at rs 1500-1700 is rs 500-900 cheaper than maharashtra or karnataka. premium scotch in UP is priced closer to goa levels, which is great news for noida and lucknow drinkers.
rum prices in uttar pradesh (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| old monk | original | rs 280-350 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| old monk | gold | rs 400-480 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | celebration rum | rs 300-370 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| bacardi | carta blanca (white) | rs 700-800 | 37.5% | white rum |
| bacardi | gold | rs 750-850 | 40% | gold rum |
| captain morgan | original spiced | rs 850-950 | 35% | spiced rum |
old monk at rs 280-350 in UP is among the cheapest you’ll find it anywhere in india. at that price, it’s genuinely one of the best value spirits in the country. goa might be slightly cheaper, but UP isn’t far behind.
beer prices in uttar pradesh (2026)
| brand | variant | 500ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| kingfisher | premium lager | rs 100-120 | 4.8% |
| kingfisher | ultra | rs 130-150 | 5% |
| bira 91 | white / blonde | rs 150-170 | 4.7-4.9% |
| bira 91 | boom | rs 100-120 | 4.5% |
| tuborg | green | rs 90-110 | 4.8% |
| carlsberg | elephant | rs 100-120 | 7.2% |
| heineken | premium | rs 140-160 | 5% |
| budweiser | premium | rs 130-150 | 5% |
| corona | extra | rs 200-230 | 4.5% |
beer is very affordable in UP. kingfisher at rs 100-120 is cheaper than most states. tuborg at rs 90-110 is particularly popular in UP’s college towns.
vodka prices in uttar pradesh (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| magic moments | regular | rs 400-480 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | red label | rs 600-700 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | green apple / orange | rs 650-750 | 37.5% |
| absolut | original | rs 1500-1700 | 40% |
| absolut | flavored | rs 1600-1800 | 40% |
| grey goose | original | rs 3800-4300 | 40% |
magic moments is the dominant vodka brand in UP, thanks to its aggressive pricing. smirnoff at rs 600-700 is noticeably cheaper than most other states.
gin prices in uttar pradesh (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| greater than | london dry | rs 550-650 | 42.8% |
| bombay sapphire | original | rs 1300-1450 | 47% |
| tanqueray | london dry | rs 1600-1800 | 43.1% |
| gordon’s | london dry | rs 700-830 | 37.5% |
| hendrick’s | original | rs 3200-3600 | 41.4% |
gin is growing in UP’s metro areas, especially noida where the delhi influence is strong. bombay sapphire at rs 1300-1450 is among the cheapest you’ll find in india.
UP vs other states - price comparison
how UP stacks up against popular states (750ml prices).
| brand | UP | delhi | haryana | maharashtra | karnataka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| blenders pride | rs 600-700 | rs 700-800 | rs 780-850 | rs 850 | rs 950-1050 |
| royal stag | rs 450-550 | rs 550-650 | rs 530-600 | rs 600 | rs 700-800 |
| imperial blue | rs 380-450 | rs 450-530 | rs 480-530 | rs 550 | rs 650 |
| old monk | rs 280-350 | rs 350-420 | rs 350-400 | rs 400 | rs 450-520 |
| kingfisher 500ml | rs 100-120 | rs 110-130 | rs 110-130 | rs 130 | rs 130-150 |
| JW red label | rs 1500-1700 | rs 1600-1800 | rs 1800-2000 | rs 2200 | rs 2400-2600 |
UP wins on price across almost every category. the only states that come close are goa and rajasthan. the gap between UP and karnataka is massive - sometimes rs 300-400 for a single bottle. noida residents sitting on the delhi border get UP prices, which is a genuine advantage.
UP excise rules and buying tips
-
excise duty: UP charges relatively low excise on domestic spirits. this is a deliberate policy choice - keeping alcohol affordable in india’s most populous state generates massive volume-based revenue even at lower rates. imported spirits carry higher duties but are still cheaper than most states.
-
shop types: look for FL-3 (IMFL retail) or FL-5 (model shops) licenses. government thekas are reliable for budget brands at exact MRP. private shops in cities like noida and lucknow have better premium selection.
-
noida advantage: noida residents essentially get UP pricing while living in the NCR region. this makes noida one of the most affordable metro areas for liquor in india. delhi residents frequently cross over to noida for alcohol purchases.
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brand availability: metro areas (noida, lucknow, agra, varanasi) have excellent availability of most major brands including imported scotch and premium vodka. smaller cities and towns may have limited premium options, though budget brands are everywhere.
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quarter bottle culture: UP has a massive quarter (180ml) bottle market, especially in smaller towns. per-ml cost is higher, but the low entry price (rs 80-120 for most budget whiskies) makes it accessible.
-
festive season: expect availability issues during diwali and holi, especially for popular brands. buying a week ahead is advisable if you want specific brands.
for city-specific pricing in lucknow, check the lucknow liquor price guide.
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frequently asked questions
what is the legal drinking age in uttar pradesh?
the legal drinking age in uttar pradesh is 21 years. you need a valid government-issued photo ID to purchase alcohol from any licensed liquor store in the state.
is UP the cheapest state for liquor in india?
UP is among the cheapest states for liquor in india, along with rajasthan, chhattisgarh, and goa. budget whiskies like officer's choice and 8 pm are rs 100-200 cheaper here than in maharashtra or karnataka. the state's low excise duty on domestic spirits keeps prices affordable.
what is the difference between state-run and private liquor shops in UP?
state-run shops (government theka) sell at fixed MRP with no markup. private shops operate under excise licenses and generally sell at MRP too, but some may charge slightly more. state-run shops are more common in smaller towns, while cities like lucknow and noida have a mix of both.
what time do liquor shops close in UP?
most liquor shops in UP operate from 10am to 10pm. some state-run shops close earlier at 9pm. timings can vary between cities and may be restricted during elections and festivals.
can you buy liquor online in uttar pradesh?
as of 2026, UP does not officially permit online retail liquor delivery. all purchases must be made from licensed physical shops. noida had some pilot programs but widespread online delivery is not available yet.
why are liquor prices so different between UP and maharashtra?
it comes down to excise duty. UP charges relatively low excise on domestic spirits to keep prices affordable for its massive population. maharashtra charges much higher duties, using alcohol taxation as a major revenue source. the same bottle can cost rs 200-400 more in maharashtra.
what is the cheapest whisky in UP?
officer's choice blue is among the cheapest branded whiskies in UP at approximately rs 320-380 for 750ml. other extremely affordable options include mcdowell's no.1 at rs 350-420 and 8 pm at rs 380-450. UP has some of the lowest branded whisky prices in the country.
does UP have dry days?
yes, UP observes dry days on republic day, independence day, gandhi jayanti, and during state and national elections. some religious occasions may also be declared dry days. the list is typically published by the excise department at the beginning of each year.
is liquor available in all districts of UP?
most districts in UP have licensed liquor shops. however, some areas near religious sites (like mathura and vrindavan) have restrictions or are effectively dry zones due to local sentiment, though not officially declared dry by state law.
what excise license types exist in UP?
UP has several license categories. FL-2 is for retail sale of country liquor, FL-3 for IMFL retail, FL-4 for beer shops, and FL-5 for model shops that sell all categories. most branded liquor purchases happen at FL-3 or FL-5 licensed shops.