You've probably heard the rumors. Maybe you saw a headline about a sleek new store in Riyadh or a "liquor license" being granted to a luxury resort on the Red Sea. For decades, the answer to the question was a simple, hard "yes."
But honestly? Things are getting complicated.
If you are wondering is alcohol prohibited in Saudi Arabia right now, the short answer is still yes for the average person, but the long answer involves a high-stakes experiment in social engineering. We aren't in the 1990s anymore. The Kingdom is pivoting toward a future where "dry" might not be the only setting, at least for some people.
The 70-Year Lockout
To understand why a single liquor store made global headlines, you have to look back at 1952. Legend and history meet at a tragic party where a Saudi prince, intoxicated, shot a British diplomat. King Abdulaziz banned the bottle immediately after.
For seven decades, that was it.
No bars. No wine with dinner. No "duty-free" hidden in your suitcase. If you were caught, you weren't just looking at a fine. You were looking at prison, deportation, or even public flogging—though the Kingdom famously replaced flogging with fines and jail time for most discretionary offenses back in 2020.
✨ Don't miss: Anderson California Explained: Why This Shasta County Hub is More Than a Pit Stop
What Changed in 2024 and 2025?
The big shift started quietly. In early 2024, a store opened in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. It wasn't for locals. It wasn't for tourists. It was strictly for non-Muslim diplomats.
Basically, the government wanted to kill the black market. Before this, diplomats had to use "diplomatic pouches" (sealed shipments) to bring in their own booze, which often leaked out into an expensive, illegal trade.
Then came 2025. Access expanded. Suddenly, if you were a non-Muslim expat with "Premium Residency"—meaning you're likely a high-earning doctor, engineer, or investor making over 50,000 riyals a month—you could get an invite. You have to use the "Diplo App," register your ID, and follow a strict "points" system.
It's not exactly a pub crawl. You can't take photos. You have to put your phone in a pouch. It's very "Mission Impossible" just to buy a bottle of Scotch.
Is Alcohol Prohibited in Saudi Arabia for Tourists in 2026?
As of early 2026, the rules for your average traveler remain rigid. If you land at King Khalid International Airport with a bottle of wine in your bag, customs will find it.
🔗 Read more: Flights to Chicago O'Hare: What Most People Get Wrong
And you will be in trouble.
However, the "600 Zones" plan is the current talk of the town. Under Vision 2030, the government is reportedly rolling out licenses to roughly 600 specific venues. We are talking about five-star hotels and hyper-luxury resorts in NEOM and the Red Sea Project.
The logic is simple: competition.
Saudi Arabia wants to be a global tourism titan. They are looking at Dubai and Doha and realizing that many high-spending Western tourists won't visit a place where they can't have a sunset cocktail. But even in these zones, it’s not a free-for-all.
- Spirits are usually still a no-go. Most reports suggest these licenses are for beer, wine, and cider only (under 20% alcohol).
- On-premise only. You drink it at the bar. You don't walk down the street with it.
- Strictly non-Muslim. This is a massive cultural boundary that hasn't moved.
The Black Market and the Risks
Don't be fooled by the "liberalization" talk. The penalties for regular folks are still terrifying.
💡 You might also like: Something is wrong with my world map: Why the Earth looks so weird on paper
Some expats used to "home-brew" (often called Siddiki or "my friend"). It's dangerous stuff. Not only can it cause blindness or death if the methanol levels are off, but the legal consequences are life-altering. If the Mutawa (religious police) are less visible than they used to be, the regular police are still very much on the lookout for public intoxication.
If you smell like alcohol at a checkpoint, you’re going to jail. Period.
Comparing the Neighbors
Saudi Arabia is trying to find a "Middle Way."
| Country | Policy Style | Context |
|---|---|---|
| UAE (Dubai) | Wide Open | Alcohol is in most hotels and many restaurants. |
| Qatar | Regulated | Available in high-end hotels; restricted during the World Cup. |
| Kuwait | Total Ban | Still strictly dry with no signs of changing. |
| Saudi Arabia | Experimental | Moving toward "Tourist Islands" and "Diplomatic Zones." |
Practical Advice for Travelers
If you are planning a trip this year, treat the country as if it is 100% dry. It’s the only way to stay safe.
- Empty the Mini-Bar: Do not try to sneak in those little airplane bottles. Scanners at Saudi customs are world-class.
- Respect the Culture: Even if you find yourself at a "licensed" resort in NEOM later this year, keep the drinking discreet. Public drunkenness is a fast track to a jail cell.
- Check the Apps: If you are an expat, see if your residency status qualifies you for the Diplo App. Don't buy from "a guy who knows a guy." The risk of a sting operation is high.
- Embrace the Mocktails: Saudi Arabia has arguably the best non-alcoholic drink culture in the world. The "Saudi Champagne" (sparkling apple juice with mint and lemon) is actually great.
The Kingdom is changing faster than anyone expected. But for now, the answer to is alcohol prohibited in Saudi Arabia remains a firm "yes" for 99% of the people inside its borders.
If you're visiting, focus on the incredible history of AlUla or the futuristic skyline of Riyadh. Save the drink for the flight home—but even then, wait until the plane has cleared Saudi airspace.
To stay compliant with the latest 2026 travel regulations, you should always check the official "Visit Saudi" portal or your local embassy's travel advisory before booking, as these "tourist zone" rollouts can be paused or restricted without much notice.