Saudi Kingdom Quietly Opens Alcohol Sales to Elite Foreign Residents

Saudi Arabia has discreetly expanded eligibility for its only alcohol shop, now allowing affluent expatriates to purchase liquor in a significant shift for the Islamic kingdom.

Without any formal public declaration, word has circulated among eligible buyers, resulting in lengthy queues of vehicles and customers outside the inconspicuous, unlabeled store located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.

Originally launched in January 2024 exclusively for non-Muslim diplomatic personnel, the shop now extends purchasing privileges to non-Muslim foreigners who possess Premium Residency status—a permit issued to individuals with specialized expertise, business investors, and entrepreneurs.

The kingdom, which houses Islam’s most sacred locations, has prohibited alcohol consumption since the early 1950s. Many observers view this store as a cautious experiment in regulated alcohol distribution.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the nation’s effective leader, along with his father King Salman, has championed sweeping modernization efforts designed to draw tourists, strengthen international commerce, and decrease the country’s reliance on petroleum exports.

While the Sharia-governed state has introduced cinema complexes, granted women driving privileges, and staged prominent music events, expressions of political opposition continue to face severe penalties, including potential execution.

For the broader population, alcohol remains prohibited.

The nondescript establishment operates similarly to an airport duty-free outlet, though its official proprietorship has not been revealed.

Entry protocols are rigorous. All visitors undergo verification of eligibility and physical searches before admission. Mobile devices and cameras are forbidden inside, with employees even examining eyeglasses for recording technology.

Multiple customers who spoke with The Associated Press, requesting anonymity due to social sensitivities surrounding alcohol, reported significantly inflated prices. While diplomatic staff receive tax exemptions on purchases, Premium Residency holders face full taxation.

Shoppers characterized the inventory as reasonably comprehensive, though some noted constrained options in beer and wine categories.

The Premium Residency program emerged from the kingdom’s initiative to attract international talent. Distinguished from standard residencies, it operates without requiring a Saudi guarantor and confers advantages such as property ownership rights, business establishment capabilities, and family sponsorship. Qualification demands substantial income or considerable investment.

Saudi nationals and other inhabitants seeking alcoholic beverages frequently travel to nearby Bahrain, where alcohol is legally accessible regardless of religious affiliation. During weekends and holiday periods, the island experiences surges of visitors from Saudi Arabia and throughout the Gulf region.

Alternatively, some turn to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, though at greater expense.

Others depend on smuggled spirits, which command extremely high prices, or illicit homemade alcohol—frequently produced with hazardous substances.

Many Saudis consume non-alcoholic alternatives either as substitutes or to emulate drinking culture, often photographing these beverages for social media. Major gatherings and festivals commonly feature extended lines at alcohol-free beer vendors, particularly among younger Saudis and guests seeking to participate in the atmosphere.

King Abdulaziz, who established the Saudi state, instituted the prohibition following a 1951 incident wherein his son, Prince Mishari, fatally shot British vice consul Cyril Ousman in Jeddah while intoxicated.