Saudi Arabia has announced plans to open two new alcohol stores, including one serving non-Muslim, foreign staff at state oil giant Aramco, as the kingdom further eases its restrictions on alcohol.
The launch of outlets in the eastern province of Dhahran and one for diplomats in the port city of Jeddah would be a further milestone in efforts, led by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open up the country. Both stores were expected to open in 2026, but no timelines had been released.
The kingdom, which is the birthplace of Islam, last year opened an alcohol store serving non-Muslim diplomats in the capital Riyadh – the first such outlet since a ban was brought in 73 years ago.
The Riyadh store’s customer base was recently expanded to include non-Muslim Saudi Premium Residency holders including entrepreneurs, major investors and those with special talents. Before the Riyadh store, alcohol was largely only available through diplomatic mail, the black market or home brewing.
The new store in Dhahran will be set up in a compound owned by Aramco, with sources saying a third liquor store was also in the works for non-Muslim diplomats in the city of Jeddah, where many missions have honorary consuls.
