Saudi Arabia is preparing to open two additional liquor stores — one in Dhahran and another in Jeddah — to serve non-Muslim foreigners, expanding on the limited legalization of alcohol initiated last year.

The Dhahran store will be located inside a residential compound owned by state oil-giant Saudi Aramco, and the Jeddah outlet is expected to cater primarily to diplomatic staff.

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The expansion follows the opening in 2024 of the kingdom’s first legal alcohol outlet in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, available exclusively to non-Muslim diplomats.

Since then the store’s patronage has quietly widened to include certain expatriates holding “Premium Residency” status.

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Officials familiar with the plan described the move as part of a broader agenda under Vision 2030 — aimed at modernising the kingdom, boosting tourism, attracting foreign professionals and reducing dependence on oil revenues.

The planned stores align with efforts to make Saudi cities more hospitable to international residents and business visitors.

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Despite the loosening of restrictions for non-Muslims, Saudi authorities have repeatedly emphasised that alcohol remains prohibited for the majority of citizens.

Access will remain tightly regulated: the forthcoming stores are expected to serve only non-Muslim expatriates or diplomats, and public sale or consumption outside these venues remains banned.

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The decision reflects a carefully calibrated approach: it allows the kingdom to accommodate foreign tastes and business standards — particularly in sectors like tourism, international events and energy — while preserving cultural and religious norms for the domestic population.

Observers say the expansion could mark the first step toward a more open hospitality environment, though any broader liberalisation of alcohol laws would likely remain gradual and tightly controlled.