The Ramada was the first to sell alcohol, that was downstairs in Maxims and that started in about 1993/4.
There had been talk about the hotels going wet for a number of years (certainly from 1986) when the argument was how you could stop people going into a place and just ordering beer. One suggestion had been that they could only spend on alcohol what they had spent on food.
The Qatar General Petroleum Offshore Operation's Falcon Club had a fully operational and licenced bar until it was closed in 1983.
Booze permits were issued either by the British Embassy or if you were QGPC staff, bby the company (QGPC) who had their own supply store (originally behind the Falcon Club and latterly at RAA). The British Embassy site was at the "house on the hill" not that far from the existing QDC. Both were non profit making organisations.
Another fact is that Haris who now works at the QDC was senior barman at the Falcon Club bar and is the best barman anyone is likely to find in Qatar. He can make any cocktail you wish.