In a quiet move that has already drawn long lines of cars and curious onlookers, Saudi Arabia has broadened access to its only alcohol shop in Riyadh, allowing wealthy foreigners holding Premium Residency permits to purchase drinks.
Expansion of Access
- The shop opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats.
- New rules now allow non-Muslim foreigners with Premium Residency to buy.
- Premium Residency is granted to skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs, and does not require a Saudi sponsor. It gives holders the right to own property, start a business, and sponsor family members, but requires high income or large investment.
Security and Entry
- The unmarked store looks like a duty-free shop, and its ownership is officially undisclosed.
- Every visitor undergoes eligibility checks and a frisk before entry.
- Phones and cameras are banned inside, and staff check eyewear for smart glasses.
Customer Experience
- The Associated Press spoke to several customers leaving the shop, who remained anonymous because of the stigma around alcohol.
- Prices are sharply elevated; diplomats are exempt from taxes, but Premium Residency holders are not.
- The shop is relatively well-stocked, though the selection of beer and wine is limited.
Context and History
- Saudi Arabia has banned alcohol since the early 1950s; the shop is seen as a cautious test of controlled sales.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman have pursued liberalization to attract tourism, boost business, and reduce oil dependence.
- The kingdom has opened movie theaters, allowed women to drive, and hosted music festivals, but political speech and dissent remain criminalized, with death penalty possible.
- Alcohol remains banned for the general public.
- Many Saudis travel to Bahrain or Dubai for alcohol; Bahrain allows Muslims and non-Muslims, and sees a surge of visitors on weekends and holidays, while Dubai is more expensive.
- Others resort to smuggled or homemade alcohol, which can be risky.
- Some Saudis enjoy alcohol-free beverages as a substitute and often post photos on social media; long lines form at alcohol-free beer stands at events.
- King Abdulaziz banned alcohol sales after a 1951 incident in which Prince Mishari, intoxicated, used a shotgun to kill British vice consul Cyril Ousman in Jeddah.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia now permits Premium Residency holders to buy alcohol at its sole shop in Riyadh.
- The shop operates under strict security, with no phones or cameras allowed inside.
- The move is part of a broader liberalization effort that still keeps alcohol banned for the general public.
The expansion marks a cautious step in the kingdom’s ongoing experiment with controlled liberalization, drawing attention from both local residents and foreign visitors.
