Saudi Arabia to open alcohol stores: report

Saudi Arabia will open two new alcohol stores serving non-Muslim customers, according to a Reuters report citing unnamed individuals close to the plans.

Alcohol is forbidden in the Kingdom and not sold to the public. In 2024 a store selling alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats was opened in the capital city, Riyadh.

According to the Reuters report, two additional outlets will open.

Alcohol in Saudi Arabia

Citing sources, Reuters reports that there will be two additional alcohol stores in Saudi Arabia:

• An outlet serving foreign staff at Aramco in the Eastern province of Dhahran
• An outlet serving diplomats in Jeddah

Reuters reports that a Dhahran store is planned inside a compound owned by Aramco.

An additional outlet will allow non-Muslim diplomats in Jeddah to purchase alcohol.

No official comment has been made on the Reuters reports, which claim the alcohol stores in Saudi Arabia will open in 2026.

Alcohol may be purchased under certain conditions in the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, but remains forbidden in KSA and Kuwait.