Saudi Arabia to open more alcohol stores as curbs ease, sources tell Reuters

Saudi Arabia plans to open two new alcohol stores, including one serving non-Muslim, foreign staff at state oil giant Aramco, as the kingdom further eases restrictions, people briefed on the plans tell Reuters.

The launch of an outlet 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.

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 new store in Dhahran will be set up in a compound owned by Aramco, one of the three people who talked to Reuters says.

That store would be open for non-Muslims working for Aramco, adds the source, who says Saudi authorities had informed them of the plan.

Two of the sources say a third liquor store is also in the works for non-Muslim diplomats in the city of Jeddah, where many missions have honorary consuls.

Both stores are expected to open in 2026, but no timelines have been released, two of the sources say.

The government media office does not immediately reply to questions over the plans for the stores in both locations, which were previously unreported. Aramco declines to comment.