Well-controlled, for indoor drinking only availability of alcohol in selected outlets would do no harm. And might help some F&B businesses. The QDC shop, if re-opened, would attract people at least some of whom would patronise other establishments.
The place is dead at present. You can buy a Rolls Royce but not a newspaper! Anything to attract residents or visitors to the public areas is worth trying.

The huge Qanat Quarter seems to be complete - but no-one lives there. The Medinat Centrale shopping centre is nearly ready - will the outlets be let and will anyone shop there? There is apparently a multi-screen cinema somewhere on the Pearl but not yet open.