Segun Atanda/
Saudi Arabia has taken another cautious step towards social liberalisation by quietly widening access to its only shop licensed to sell alcohol, extending eligibility beyond non Muslim diplomats to a small group of wealthy foreign residents.
Although the government has made no formal announcement, the change has become widely known among expatriate communities in Riyadh.
Long queues of cars and customers have been observed outside the discreet, unmarked store located in the Diplomatic Quarter of the Saudi capital.
The store opened in January 2024 and was initially limited to non Muslim diplomats. Under the expanded arrangement, non Muslim foreigners who hold Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency permit are now permitted to purchase alcohol.
The residency status is reserved for foreigners with specialised skills, investors and entrepreneurs, and requires either high income levels or substantial financial investment.
Alcohol has been banned in Saudi Arabia since the early 1950s, and the kingdom, which hosts Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, continues to prohibit its sale to the general public.
The store is widely viewed as a tightly controlled pilot aimed at testing limited alcohol sales under strict supervision.
The move aligns with broader reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, and supported by King Salman.
The reforms are intended to attract foreign expertise, boost tourism, encourage international investment and reduce the kingdom’s long term dependence on oil revenues.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has reopened cinemas, lifted the ban on women driving and hosted large scale music and entertainment festivals.
However, political expression and dissent remain strictly criminalised, with harsh penalties that can include capital punishment.
Alcohol remains illegal for Saudi citizens and most residents.
The unmarked store resembles a duty free outlet, though its ownership has not been publicly disclosed. Security is stringent. Visitors are subjected to eligibility checks and physical searches before entry.
Mobile phones and cameras are prohibited, and staff examine eyewear to ensure customers are not wearing smart glasses.
Customers who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity said prices were high, particularly for Premium Residency holders, who are required to pay taxes on their purchases. Diplomats are exempt.
They described the shop as reasonably stocked, although some said the selection of beer and wine was limited.
The Premium Residency scheme was introduced to make Saudi Arabia more attractive to global professionals. Unlike standard residency permits, it does not require a Saudi sponsor and allows holders to own property, establish businesses and sponsor family members.
For decades, many Saudis and residents seeking alcohol have travelled to neighbouring Bahrain, where alcohol is legally available to Muslims and non Muslims. The island routinely experiences heavy weekend and holiday traffic from Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf.
Others opt for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where alcohol is also widely available but more expensive.
Some residents resort to smuggled alcohol, which can be costly, or to homemade bootleg drinks, which carry serious health risks due to unsafe production methods.
Alcohol free alternatives have also grown in popularity. At major events and festivals, long queues often form at stalls selling alcohol free beer, particularly among young Saudis and visitors seeking the social atmosphere associated with drinking.
Saudi Arabia’s nationwide alcohol ban dates back to 1951, when the country’s founding monarch, King Abdulaziz, prohibited its sale after an incident in which his son, Prince Mishari, became intoxicated and fatally shot British vice consul, Cyril Ousman in Jeddah.
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