Saudi Arabia opens its first liquor store in Riyadh

In a major move to expand its tourism and business reach, Saudi Arabia is set to open its inaugural liquor store in Riyadh, which caters exclusively to non-Muslim diplomats. NDTV mentionted.

Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this initiative is aligned with the broader Vision 2030 plan that aims to transform the country’s economy beyond its dependence on oil.

The store, located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a hub for embassies and diplomats, will require customers to register through a mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry and adhere to monthly purchase quotas, as outlined in document they have access to Reuters. The store’s access will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, in line with Islamic principles that prohibit the consumption of alcohol.

While the document did not specify whether non-Muslim expatriates beyond diplomats would have access, sources familiar with the plans anticipate the store opening in the coming weeks.

Saudi Arabia has historically enforced strict laws against alcohol consumption, with penalties ranging from flogging, fines and imprisonment to deportation for expatriates.

Recent reforms have seen a shift towards replacing corporal punishment with prison sentences. Until now, access to alcohol was limited to diplomatic channels or the black market.

The move to bring in the alcohol shop coincides with new regulations restricting alcohol imports to diplomatic missions, a measure aimed at curbing “improper exchange of special goods and alcoholic beverages received by embassies of non-Muslim countries in Saudi Arabia,” according to with the Arabs. News.

As Saudi Arabia continues its trajectory of social and economic reforms, including loosening gender segregation and allowing women to drive, the introduction of this alcohol shop marks another step towards transforming the nation’s conservative image and promoting a more open and diverse society.