Saudi Arabia has quietly begun allowing wealthy foreign residents to purchase alcohol from a single store in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, marking a significant shift after a 73-year ban. The store, which opened in January 2024, was initially restricted to non-Muslim diplomats but expanded access at the end of 2025 to include non-Muslim expatriates holding a Premium Residency permit or earning at least 50,000 Saudi riyals per month.
Eligible customers must present their residence ID card, which indicates religion and residency status, and those without the permit must also show a company-issued salary certificate. Foreign tourists remain barred from entry. The store's location is unmarked and does not appear on online maps; customers learn of it through word of mouth.
Alcohol purchases are governed by a points-based monthly quota system, allowing each person dozens of litres of spirits per month. Prices are two to three times higher than in Western markets but significantly lower than on the black market. A bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label whisky costs $124 (£90), according to one British executive.
Analysts say the government's deliberate ambiguity around the policy allows for cautious expansion. Sebastian Sons of German think tank Carpo notes that authorities are willing to take 'two steps forward and one step back' on sensitive issues. The move is part of broader social reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including reopening cinemas and lifting the ban on women driving.
