What's happened
A discreet store in Riyadh, opened in January 2024, now allows non-Muslim residents with Premium Residency to buy alcohol, marking a cautious step in Saudi Arabia's ongoing liberalization. The store is heavily secured, with limited stock and high prices, amid strict laws and regional travel for alcohol.
What's behind the headline?
The opening of this secret alcohol store signals a significant, though cautious, shift in Saudi Arabia's social policies. While the government continues to uphold Islamic law publicly, it is testing limited, controlled relaxations to attract global business and tourism. The store's discreet nature and security measures highlight the sensitive balance between reform and tradition. This move will likely accelerate regional travel for alcohol, especially to Bahrain and Dubai, and could foreshadow further easing of restrictions if demand persists. However, political dissent and public morality remain tightly controlled, suggesting these reforms are carefully calibrated to avoid broader social upheaval. The store's existence underscores the kingdom's strategic push to modernize its image without fully abandoning its conservative roots, a balancing act that will shape its future social and economic policies.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that the store opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats and residents, with strict security and high prices, reflecting Saudi Arabia's cautious approach to liberalization. The AP News highlights the lack of official announcement but notes the visible lines and regional travel for alcohol, emphasizing the store's discreet operation. The Independent provides detailed context on the broader reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including opening entertainment venues and easing restrictions for foreigners, while maintaining strict laws on political speech and dissent. All sources agree that this store is a symbolic yet practical step in Saudi Arabia's ongoing social and economic reforms, balancing tradition with modernization efforts.
How we got here
Saudi Arabia has maintained a strict ban on alcohol since the 1950s, rooted in Islamic law. Recent years have seen gradual reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including opening entertainment venues and easing restrictions for foreigners. The new store appears to be part of this broader liberalization effort, aimed at attracting international talent and investment, while still maintaining strict controls and social norms.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Riyadh is the capital city and seat of government of the Riyadh Province and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula and the capital governorate of the Riyadh Province.
-
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
-
Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of