Zomato alcohol delivery in India remains a highly searched term despite the service shutting down over four years ago. Many users expect Zomato to deliver beer, wine, and spirits like it does food. This comprehensive guide explains why Zomato exited alcohol delivery in April 2021, what happened during its 16-month operation, and which platforms currently work in 2026.

Quick Summary

❌ Zomato Does NOT Deliver Alcohol Currently

History Timeline:

• May 2020: Launched in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha (COVID-19 lockdown)
• April 2021: Shut down, citing poor unit economics and scalability
• July 2024: Pilot projects announced for 7 states (NOT yet operational)

Pilot States Announced (Discussion Phase Only): Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala

Working Alternatives in 2026

• Swiggy: West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka (limited to Bangalore)
• HipBar: Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad
• Booozie: Multiple states
• Living Liquidz: Delhi NCR

Bottom Line: Zomato exited alcohol delivery in 2021. Use Swiggy or dedicated alcohol platforms instead.

Why Zomato Alcohol Delivery India Doesn’t Exist

Zomato alcohol delivery India searches remain high despite service shutdown over four years ago. The platform discontinued alcohol delivery in April 2021. Zomato cited poor unit economics and scalability limitations as primary reasons. The company chose to focus on its core food delivery business during IPO preparations.

The Rise and Fall Timeline

Zomato entered alcohol delivery during the COVID-19 lockdowns in May 2020. State governments in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha granted temporary permissions. The service aimed to reduce crowding at liquor stores. Zomato launched a “Wine Shops” category for beer, wine, and spirits.

• The platform expanded to multiple Odisha cities, including Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Bokaro. Zomato implemented strict age verification and ID authentication protocols. Orders required government ID upload, selfie verification, and OTP delivery confirmation.
• By January 2021, Zomato internally decided to exit the segment. The official shutdown announcement came in April 2021. The company closed both alcohol and grocery delivery operations simultaneously. This strategic pivot focused resources on profitable food delivery ahead of the July 2021 IPO.

Related – Swiggy Alcohol Delivery India

Alcohol Delivery Platforms Comparison (2026)

 

Platform	Status	States Available	Pricing	Delivery Fee
Zomato	❌ Not Operational	None (shut down 2021)	N/A	N/A
Swiggy	✅ Active	West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka	MRP	₹29-₹99
HipBar	✅ Active	Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad	MRP	₹29-₹49
Booozie	✅ Active	Multiple states	MRP	Varies
Living Liquidz	✅ Active	Delhi NCR	MRP	₹50-₹99
BigBasket	⏳ Pilot Announced	Not yet operational	TBD	TBD
Blinkit	⏳ Pilot Announced	Not yet operational	TBD	TBD

 

How to Order Alcohol from Zomato Online 

How to order alcohol from Zomato online is a common search query despite service unavailability. Users expect the same ordering process as food delivery. While Zomato no longer offers this service, understanding the historical process helps clarify what existed and why alternatives differ today.

Historical Ordering Process (2020-2021)

1: Access Wine Shops Category

• Open Zomato app in eligible cities
• Navigate to “Wine Shops” section next to “Market”
• Browse licensed alcohol retailers

 2: Complete Age Verification

• Upload valid government ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Driving License, Passport)
• Take selfie for AI authentication
• System verified 21+ age requirement

3: Browse and Select Products

• View available beer, wine, spirits inventory
• Check product prices and availability
• Review store-specific minimum order requirements

 4: Place Order

• Add products to cart
• Select online payment method only
• Complete payment via UPI, cards, or digital wallets

 5: Receive with Verification

• Order generated unique OTP
• Delivery partner arrived within 60 minutes
• Customer provided OTP and showed original ID for verification

Zomato Alcohol Delivery India Price (When Operational)

Zomato alcohol delivery India price followed MRP-based pricing during its operational period. The platform charged retail store prices without product markups. Delivery fees varied based on distance and demand.

Pricing Structure (2020-2021)

Product Pricing:

• Beer (750ml): ₹140-₹350 per bottle
• Wine (750ml): ₹500-₹5,000 per bottle
• Whisky (750ml): ₹800-₹8,000+ per bottle
• Premium/Imported Spirits: Higher based on brand

Delivery Charges

• Standard range: ₹30-₹100 per order
• Variable based on distance from wine shop
• Peak hours increased fees
• Some stores required minimum order values

Operating Hours

• Service available: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (state-dependent)
• Strict compliance with state excise timings
• No delivery on dry days

Why Zomato Exited Alcohol Delivery

Poor Unit Economics

Zomato faced significant cash burn on every alcohol order. The company lost money per delivery despite charging fees. High operational costs exceeded revenue from delivery charges. Alcohol delivery required specialized compliance infrastructure.

Scalability Limitations

State-by-state regulations created expansion challenges. Each state required separate government approvals. Bureaucratic hurdles delayed expansion to major metro cities. Only three states permitted the service during the 16-month operational period.

IPO Focus and Profitability

Zomato is prepared for its July 2021 stock market listing. The company prioritized profitable business segments. Alcohol delivery showed no clear path to profitability. Management decided to concentrate resources on core food delivery.

Competitive Landscape

Swiggy remained in the alcohol delivery business. Dedicated platforms like HipBar and Living Liquidz emerged. Zomato faced intense competition with limited differentiation. The company chose to exit rather than invest heavily.

July 2024 Pilot Project Announcements

Seven states announced alcohol delivery pilot explorations in July 2024. Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala considered allowing platforms. Zomato was mentioned alongside Swiggy, BigBasket, and Blinkit.

Current Status (February 2026)

Pilot Projects Remain in Discussion Phase:

• No operational launches confirmed in announced states
• State authorities still evaluating pros and cons
• Political backlash and retail lobby pressure slowing progress
• Delhi pilot particularly delayed despite 2024 announcement

Focus on Low-Alcohol Beverages:

• Initial phase targets beer, wine, and liqueurs
• Hard spirits may come in later phases
• Gradual rollout strategy to address concerns

Why Delays Continue

State excise departments require extensive compliance frameworks. Physical retail bodies oppose online delivery expansion. Political considerations influence state government decisions. Regulatory complexities vary across states.

Zomato Alcohol Delivery India Near Me (Alternatives)

Zomato alcohol delivery India near me searches require alternative platform recommendations. Several services currently operate across different Indian states.

Working Alternatives by State (2026)

Swiggy (Most Similar to Zomato):

• West Bengal: Kolkata, Siliguri, 24+ cities
• Odisha: Multiple cities statewide
• Karnataka: Bangalore limited areas (Electronic City, BTM Layout, HSR, Koramangala, Whitefield)
• Pricing: MRP-based, ₹29-₹99 delivery fees

HipBar:

• Coverage: Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad
• Delivery fee: ₹29-₹49
• Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Booozie:

• Multiple states operational
• Wide product selection
• Premium brand focus

Living Liquidz:

• Delhi NCR coverage
• MRP pricing
• Fast delivery

Zomato Alcohol Delivery India App (Does It Exist?)

Zomato alcohol delivery India app functionality doesn’t exist in the current version. The “Wine Shops” category was removed in April 2021. No plans announced for reintroduction as of February 2026.

Current Zomato App Features:

The Zomato app focuses on:

• Restaurant food delivery
• Dining out reservations (Zomato Gold)
• Quick commerce through Blinkit (acquired 2022)
• Event ticketing through District

Why No Alcohol Section:

• Company maintains IPO-era business focus
• Profitability prioritized over expansion into low-margin segments
• Regulatory complexities are not worth the investment
• Swiggy fills the market gap adequately

Conclusion

Zomato alcohol delivery in India ended in April 2021 due to poor economics and scalability challenges. The platform operated only 16 months during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite July 2024 pilot announcements for seven states, no Zomato alcohol service exists in 2026.

• Users searching for Zomato alcohol delivery India near me should use Swiggy instead. Swiggy continues operating in West Bengal, Odisha, and limited areas of Bangalore areas. Dedicated platforms like HipBar and Living Liquidz serve Delhi NCR.
• Check your local app for “Wine Shops” or alcohol categories. Only Swiggy offers this feature in select states currently. Zomato has shown no indication of re-entering this market segment.
• The future of alcohol delivery depends on state regulatory approvals. Pilot projects may materialize in 2026 or beyond. Until then, alternatives provide reliable service where legally permitted.