Non-Islamic Country Diplomats in Saudi Arabia
Must Obtain Government Permit for Entry
Monthly Alcohol Consumption Quantity Also Restricted
For the first time, a bar has opened in Saudi Arabia, where alcohol sales have been banned not only to its own citizens but also to non-Muslim foreigners. Nationals are still prohibited from entering, and only diplomats are allowed access, with very strict entry regulations. However, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accelerates the reform initiative 'Vision 2030,' the barriers of Islamic law and customs are expected to be dismantled more rapidly.
According to the British BBC on the 24th (local time), the Saudi government announced that it has permitted the opening of a bar in an area on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, where embassies and diplomatic residences are concentrated. Only diplomats from non-Islamic countries stationed in Saudi Arabia can use the bar with official permission, while nationals and other foreigners living in Saudi Arabia are not allowed entry.
The entry regulations are quite stringent. Diplomats wishing to visit the bar must obtain a customs clearance code from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pre-register via a mobile app to receive authorization before they can enter. The amount of alcohol that can be consumed at the bar is also limited on a monthly basis, and these limits must be strictly observed.
The Saudi government stated that it will limit the monthly alcohol sales allowance for customers entering the bar by points. Each person is restricted to purchasing only 240 points worth of alcohol per month, with points assigned per liter (ℓ) for distilled spirits, wine, and beer, and consumption is allowed only within the 240-point limit. According to Saudi regulations, distilled spirits are 6 points per 1ℓ, wine is 3 points, and beer is 1 point per 1ℓ. In other words, one can buy up to 40ℓ of distilled spirits, 80ℓ of wine, or 240ℓ of beer per month.
Additionally, only adults aged 21 and over are allowed to enter the premises, and according to dress code regulations, clothing that is excessively revealing is prohibited. The practice of drinkers calling designated drivers is also restricted.
Despite these strict regulations, the international community has welcomed the mere establishment of a bar as a significant change in Saudi Arabia. Until now, diplomats stationed in Saudi Arabia have faced great difficulties as only very limited amounts of alcohol were allowed to be brought in. The Saudi authorities have announced plans to relax existing regulations to allow diplomats to freely import certain types of alcohol.
Islamic countries have traditionally strictly prohibited alcohol consumption by Muslim citizens under Islamic law, but limited alcohol consumption has been allowed for non-Muslim foreigners or stationed diplomats. In countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, non-Muslim foreigners aged 21 and over can freely drink alcohol in designated bars, clubs, and pubs.
However, Saudi Arabia had until now applied bans on alcohol importation and sales even to non-Muslim foreigners. This was due to an incident in the past where a Saudi prince killed a British diplomat at a drinking party. According to the BBC, in 1951, Prince Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al Saud shot and killed Cyril Usman, the British deputy consul, because he considered it a breach of etiquette that Usman did not pour him a drink. Since then, the Saudi royal family has strictly prohibited the import and sale of alcohol within Saudi Arabia without exception.
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