You will be able to buy beer in most restaurants and hotels where there are tourists. You might even be able to buy it at a bar, but it will usually be out of sight of passing Muslims - ie not on a street terrace. And don't forget to try Moroccan whisky ....... mint tea!

depends which part of marrakesh you're going to - if you're staying withn the Medina, it's not easy to find - there is a wonderful bar with roof top terrace near the old palace, but can't remember the name.

Hi thanks for the replies, were thinking of Essouria...really fancy it but want to go B+B or room only so we can sample the many restaurants and of course want to be able to get a beer in a bar. Would that be possible in Essouria??

We drank in a couple of hotel bars in Marrakech (one in the medina called Grand-Hotel Tazi at the intersection of Rue Bab Agnaou and Avenue el Mouahidine), as alcohol isn't widely available, or a female may not feel very comfortable in some of the places where it is available.

In Essaouira we drank at outside tables at a cafe-type place overlooking the beach where they sold beer and wine (think it's called Chalet de la Plage). There is a really nice, laid-back roof terrace bar at the Taros (2 Rue de la Skala), with comfy seating, live music and patio heaters (a bit chilly evenings). We ate at a number of restaurants that served wine. Essaouira seems more laid-back than Marrakech as regards alcohol in general. We found more places serving it in Essaouira. Restaurant Alizes, 26 Rue de Skala, is a lovely vaulted, candle-lit restaurant that serves alcohol. We stayed there after eating to enjoy a few glasses of wine.

There is an alcohol shop in Essaouira. Took me a couple of days to find out it existed, and then locate it! It's near the bus station on outside walls of the medina, by the gate called Bab Doukkala.

Essaouira, we loved, a real change of gear from the bustle of Marrakech.