Saudi Arabia quietly expands access to its only alcohol store for non-Muslim residents

Saudi Arabia quietly expanded access to its only store that sells alcohol, allowing wealthy foreign residents with Premium Residency to buy alcohol. The decision was not officially announced, but long lines have formed at the discreet, unmarked shop in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter. The store opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats.

Under the new rules, non-Muslim foreigners who hold Premium Residency may purchase alcohol. The residency is granted to foreigners with specialized skills, investors, and entrepreneurs, and requires high incomes or large investments. Officials describe the program as part of the kingdom's drive to attract global talent, boost tourism and diversify the economy beyond oil. The store's ownership remains officially undisclosed, and security is tight: visitors undergo eligibility checks and frisking before entry; phones and cameras are banned inside, and staff inspect eyewear for smart glasses. Diplomats are exempt from taxes on their purchases, but Premium Residency holders are not. Prices for available products are described as sharply elevated. The store, located in the Diplomatic Quarter, has become a focal point for a debate over how far the kingdom is willing to loosen its strict social rules while keeping an alcohol ban in place for the general public.

The broader policy context remains one of cautious liberalization. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman have pursued changes intended to attract international business and tourism, including allowing women to drive, opening movie theaters and hosting major music festivals, while political speech and dissent remain tightly controlled. For many Saudis and residents hoping to drink legally, options remain limited: travel to Bahrain, where alcohol is available to Muslims and non-Muslims, or to Dubai, which offers a broader selection at higher prices. Some resort to smuggled or bootleg alcohol, which can be expensive or dangerous. Others opt for alcohol-free beverages that mimic the social ritual of drinking, a trend evident at major events and festivals where lines form at alcohol-free beer stands.

Saudi Arabia's alcohol ban traces back to 1951, when founding monarch King Abdulaziz outlawed sales after one of his sons, Prince Mishari, became intoxicated and used a shotgun to kill the British vice consul in Jeddah. The store's existence underscores a cautious, incremental approach to reform: expanding access to a small, controlled market while keeping the broader ban in place for the general population. Analysts say the expansion signals policy experimentation rather than a broad shift, with officials signaling tolerance for surface-level social change without altering core religious norms.