Saudi Arabia has announced plans to open a shop in Riyadh, marking the first alcohol retail establishment in over 70 years. The clientele will be exclusively non-Muslim expats, specifically diplomatic staff, who have traditionally imported alcohol in sealed official packages called diplomatic pouches. This move is aimed at countering the illic!t trade of alcohol. Prohibition has been in effect since 1952, following an incident where one of King Abdulaziz’s sons fatally sh*t a British diplomat while intoxicated.
The upcoming store, located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, will require thirsty envoys to pre-register and obtain government clearance. Entry will be restricted to individuals aged 21 and above, and proper attire is mandatory. Additionally, no proxies, like drivers, will be permitted, and monthly limitations on purchases will be enforced. The shop is expected to open within weeks, according to a source familiar with the plans.
However, as per the document observed by AFP, the restrictions won’t be overly stringent. Patrons will have a monthly limit of 240 “points” for alcohol, with one liter of spirits equating to six points, one liter of wine valued at three points, and one liter of beer counting as one point. There is no indication that access will extend to “ordinary” foreigners in the kingdom without diplomatic privileges, who currently lack official access to alcohol.
While the introduction of alcohol becomes a part of Riyadh life, drinkers should exercise caution regarding where they consume it and their behavior afterward. Existing Saudi law imposes penalties for alcohol consumption or possession, including fines, imprisonment, public flogging, and deportation for unauthorized foreigners.
The document also reveals plans for a “new regulatory framework” that would enable diplomats to bring in “specific quantities” of alcohol, aiming to curb an uncontrolled exchange of such goods.
Diplomatic staff have long relied on their tamper-proof “pouches” to import limited quantities of alcohol without interference from host country authorities. These measures align with the broader “Vision 2030” initiatives, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to bring about social liberalization in Saudi Arabia.
Similar alcohol regulations exist in other Gulf states. However, the UAE and Qatar differ by permitting the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims aged 21 and above in designated establishments like hotels, clubs, and bars. There is no indication from the Saudi document that such a policy shift is under consideration.
Despite alcohol being prohibited under Islam, Saudi Arabia maintained a tolerant stance until 1952. The turning point came when Prince Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud fatally shot Cyril Ousman, the British vice-consul in Jeddah, in 1951, over a refusal to serve more drinks at a function. A year later, King Abdulaziz implemented a complete alcohol ban, and Mishari was convicted of m*rder.