Alcohol is permitted but not widely available. You can find stores selling liquor on a few streets near the clocktower. Try Zaki al-Arsuzi across from Al Kommeh restaurant and Jbrail Dalal streets. There is a liquor store a few metres away from the Aleppo Hotel on a side street from the clocktower. In the new city there is a store at Al Hateb square. Cost is usually 60 SYP for a Efes 16oz Nov 2010. Restaurants and hotels that cater to Westerners will generally serve alcoholic beverages.
There is one local beer, called Al-Sharq, while the Damascus brew Barada may also be found. Neither are exactly lethal - 3.7% and 3.4% respectively.
A wide range of other beers from the Middle East and Europe can also be found, usually about 50 SP for a large can, along with wines from Syria, Lebanon and France, starting at 150 SP a bottle.
Arak is a local aniseed spirit which can be found at some small shops.
