Saudi Arabia quietly expands access to its only alcohol store for non-Muslim residents
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia quietly expanded its reach The only store that sells alcoholWealthy foreign residents are being allowed to buy booze in the latest step in the once ultra-conservative kingdom’s liberalization experiment.
There was no official statement about the decision, but word spread and long lines of cars and people can now be seen at the hidden, unmarked store in the Diplomatic Quarter of the Saudi capital Riyadh.
The store opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats. The new rules allow non-Muslim foreigners with Premium Residence to purchase. Residence permits are issued to foreigners, investors and entrepreneurs with specialized skills.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, has banned alcohol since the early 1950s. The store is widely seen as a way to carefully test the sale of controlled alcohol.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his father, King Salman, have pursued a policy of dramatic liberalization in the kingdom aimed at attracting tourism, increasing international trade and reducing economic dependence on crude oil.
The kingdom, which adheres to Islamic sharia law, opened movie theaters, allowed women to drive and hosted major music festivals. But political speech and dissent remains strictly criminalized, potentially punishable by the death penalty.
Alcohol remains prohibited for the general public.
The unmarked store resembles a duty-free store. Ownership has not been officially disclosed.
Security is tight. Each visitor is subject to fitness checks and body searches before entry. Phones and cameras are prohibited inside, and the staff even checks if there are smart glasses in the glasses.
The Associated Press spoke with several customers leaving the store. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the stigma around alcohol.
They said the prices were too high. Diplomats are exempt from taxes on their purchases, but Premium Residency holders are not.
While customers noted the store was relatively well-stocked, some said the beer and wine selection was limited.
The Premium Residence Permit was created as part of the kingdom’s effort to attract global expertise. Unlike other residences, Saudi does not require a sponsor and offers benefits such as the right to own property, start a business and sponsor a family. High income or large investments are required to qualify.
Saudis and other residents seeking booze frequently travel to the neighboring island of Bahrain, where alcohol is legally available to Muslims and non-Muslims. On weekends and holidays, the island receives an influx of visitors from Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, making it a popular getaway. The more expensive option is to go to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Others resort to bootlegging alcohol, which can be extremely expensive, or smuggling liquor, often homemade and using risky, unsafe ingredients.
Some people in Saudi Arabia enjoy soft drinks in place of actual booze, or often take photos for social media to capture the aesthetics of drinking. At major events and festivals, it is not uncommon to see long lines forming at non-alcoholic beer stands, especially among young Saudis and visitors eager to join in the atmosphere.
Saudi Arabia’s founding ruler, King Abdulaziz, banned the sale in 1951 after one of his sons, Prince Mishari, got drunk and killed British Vice Consul Cyril Ousman with a shotgun in Jeddah.
