Photography is strictly prohibited in the store, and mobile phones must be kept in secure pouches to prevent their use while in the venue.

Saudi Arabia has opened its first alcohol store in the diplomatic quarter of its capital Riyadh, two sources told CNBC.

The news, which has not been officially confirmed by the Saudi government, marks a major breakthrough for the highly conservative Muslim theocracy where alcohol has been banned since 1952.

According to a list of store rules seen by CNBC, the venue is only accessible to non-Muslim diplomats, and authorization must be validated through an app called Diplo.

No guests or people under the age of 21 are allowed to accompany authorized visitors to the store, photography is strictly prohibited and mobile phones need to be kept in secure “mobile pouches” so as not to be used while in the store. Purchases are also subject to a monthly quota system per registered individual.

  • BarqsHasBiteEnglish
    21•10 months ago

    opened its first alcohol store in the diplomatic quarter of its capital Riyadh, two sources told CNBC.

    I wonder if you also have to say you’re non Muslim.

    broader campaign to liberalize Saudi society and draw more international tourists and expats.

    They added that one key objective is “to deal with the smuggling problem that we’ve always had with diplomats.” Foreign embassy staff, who are able to import alcohol to be kept on embassy premises, are known in Saudi Arabia to often import booze in large quantities and then sell it on the black market.