Saudi Arabia Opens First Alcohol Store in Over 70 Years

Saudi Arabia has recently unveiled its first alcohol store in over seven decades. This historic event reflects the kingdom’s broader strategy to modernize and diversify its economy, embracing a more global stance while still navigating the delicate balance of tradition and progressive change.

Located in the heart of Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, the newly opened store is not just any liquor outlet—it’s a symbol of changing times under the ambitious vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Designed exclusively for non-Muslim diplomats, the store’s establishment is part of the Crown Prince’s plans to reshape Saudi Arabia into a global tourism and business hub, reducing the kingdom’s reliance on oil.

The store itself resembles a high-end duty-free shop seen in international airports, offering a limited yet exclusive selection of liquors, wines, and two types of beer. Access is tightly regulated; customers must show diplomatic IDs and place their phones in security pouches while shopping. Purchases are meticulously tracked through a mobile app to monitor and control the import and consumption of alcohol.

Why Alchohol was initially banned

This opening is particularly noteworthy given the kingdom’s long-standing prohibition of alcohol due to its incompatibility with Islamic laws—alcohol is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. 

Since 1951, following a tragic incident involving the killing of a British vice-consul by Prince Mishari, a direct descendant of Saudi Arabia’s founding monarch, King Abdulaziz, the sale of alcohol was strictly banned. This placed Saudi Arabia alongside a few countries, including Kuwait and parts of the UAE, like Sharjah, which also enforce such bans.

Before this establishment, diplomats in Saudi Arabia had to import alcohol via a special service for consumption within their diplomatic compounds. Others, including immigrants, often resorted to bootleggers or homebrewing—an activity fraught with risks of severe penalties, including flogging and deportation.

What this implies for the Future

The launch of the liquor store is part of a series of liberalizing reforms initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed and his father, King Salman. These reforms have included the opening of movie theatres, the lifting of the driving ban on women, and the organization of music festivals. Yet, while these reforms hint at a more liberal stance on social issues, Saudi Arabia maintains a stringent approach to political dissent, which can lead to severe repercussions, including capital punishment.

Despite the complexities and contradictions inherent in these reforms, it is evident that Saudi Arabia is striving to position itself as a new cultural and economic beacon in the Middle East, akin to Dubai. By relaxing some of its strictest social rules, the kingdom hopes to attract tourists and business investors from around the globe, fostering a more inclusive and diverse economic landscape.