Alcohol may be bought at major hotels by visitors who have been issued a Liquor Permit from the Excise and Taxation Office. Wine is expensive and only available in top restaurants. Pakistani-brewed beer is widely available, as are canned carbonated drinks. There are no bars since there are strict laws concerning alcohol, and it is illegal to drink in public. Waiter service is provided in the larger hotels and restaurants.
Top hotels have bars and dancing but there is little Western-style nightlife.
Cinemas in the large cities show international as well as Pakistani films. Cultural programmes of traditional music and dance can be seen and the Pakistani Arts Academy performs at various times during the year. Festivals and annual celebrations are well worth seeing. While some of the major towns have craft centres where handicrafts from different regions are sold, bazaars often provide the most interesting shopping. It is expected that the customer should bargain for goods.