Not an Officers Mess, but the principle still applies.
In the late 80s the WOs/Sgts Mess in Brunei had 8 members and a bar. The Officers Mess was dry as the CO had decided to set an example. The only overtly "wet" places were our mess and the JRC within the confines of camp and the Civil Service Club up the coast. Brunei Shell Petroleum policy was alcohol permitted within the confines of their club and individual houses.
Then the Sultan's cousin, (who was Interior Minister until his sexual proclivities and embezzlement activities came to light) decided alcohol was un-Islamic and stopped all alcohol outside the UK military on pain of Islamic punishment and/or deportation.
Within a week we had 158 applications for Honorary Membership............ only three applicants had military backgrounds. Two were admitted. There used to be a formula for such member numbers in relation to full members. Being ex military didn't automatically grant access.
NEO