Saudi Arabia has opened its first liquor store in over 70 years, but is restricted to non-Muslim diplomats and is part of the kingdom’s efforts to become a tourism and business destination, Associated Press reports.
Located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, the store stocks liquor, wine, and two types of beer, operating alongside a supermarket. Customers are required to present diplomatic identifications and place mobile phones inside pouches.
The opening of the store coincides with new rules governing alcohol sales to diplomats, aimed at curbing uncontrolled importing. Drinking alcohol is considered forbidden in Islam, and Saudi Arabia has maintained an alcohol ban since the early 1950s.
