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Saudi Arabia has expanded access to its only alcohol store in Riyadh, allowing non-Muslim foreigners with Premium Residency to buy alcoholic beverages, according to an Independent report, as customers described strict entry checks and frisking, a ban on phones and cameras inside, and staff inspecting eyewear for smart glasses.
Despite no official announcement, news of the change has spread, leading to long queues of cars and people at the discreet, unmarked outlet in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.
The store, which opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats, now allows non-Muslim foreigners holding Premium Residency to buy alcohol. The permit is granted to those with specialized skills, investors and entrepreneurs.
Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, has banned alcohol since the early 1950s. The store is widely seen as a way to cautiously test the controlled sale of alcohol.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his father, King Salman, have pursued a dramatic liberalization policy in the kingdom, aiming to attract tourism, boost international business and reduce economic dependence on crude oil.
The kingdom, which adheres to Islamic Sharia law, has opened movie theaters, allowed women to drive and hosted major music festivals. But political speech and dissent remain strictly criminalized, potentially carrying the penalty of death. Alcohol remains banned for the general public.
The unmarked store resembles a duty-free shop, though its ownership remains officially undisclosed. Security is strict: Every visitor is subject to eligibility checks and frisking before entry. Phones and cameras are banned inside, and staff even inspect eyewear for smart glasses.
The Associated Press spoke to several customers leaving the store, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the stigma around alcohol. Prices are sharply elevated, they said.
Diplomats are exempt from taxes on their purchases, but Premium Residency holders are not. Customers described the store as relatively well-stocked, though some said the selection of beer and wine was limited.
The Premium Residency permit was created as part of the kingdom’s drive to attract global expertise. Unlike other residencies, it doesn’t require a Saudi sponsor, and it offers benefits including the right to own property, start a business and sponsor family. It requires high incomes or large investments to qualify.
Saudis and other residents who want a drink often travel to the neighboring island of Bahrain, where alcohol is legally available to Muslims and non-Muslims.
On weekends and holidays, the island sees 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 smuggled alcohol, which can be extremely expensive, or to bootleg booze, often homemade and risky, using unsafe materials.
On Nov. 25, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia plans to open two additional restricted-access alcohol stores in Dhahran and Jeddah, expanding a cautious set of reforms that permit limited sales to non-Muslim foreign residents and diplomats.
Sources said both new stores are expected to open in 2026.
The development followed Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed al-Khateeb’s statement in October that the kingdom has not taken any steps to lift the ban on alcohol sales.
When asked whether Saudi Arabia plans to relax cultural restrictions, such as alcohol laws or beach dress codes, al-Khateeb described it as a “usual question,” reaffirming that the kingdom remains focused on offering cultural, historical and entertainment experiences within its values and traditions.
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