We know that Saudi Arabia is investing a lot of money to build its non-religious tourism sector. One common question we’ve seen has been if/when the country will lift its ban on alcohol. Over the weekend, there were lots of reports that Saudi Arabia would make a major move, but that’s now being denied, so let’s discuss what we do know…
In this post:
Reports of Saudi Arabia alcohol ban ending
Yesterday I shared reports that Saudi Arabia would lift its 73-year ban on alcohol. Let me state upfront that Saudi officials are denying the accuracy of this report, but let’s still discuss what was rumored.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia would allow the sale of alcohol within the country, with some major restrictions:
- Permissible alcohol would be limited to beer, wine, and cider, so hard liquor wouldn’t be allowed
- Alcohol sales would be limited to roughly 600 places across the country, including select luxury hotels, resorts, and areas developed for tourists, like Sindalah Island and the Red Sea Project
- Only licensed venues and trained staff would be able to serve alcohol, and the sale of alcohol would follow strict procedures
- Alcohol would not be allowed in homes, public places, and shops, and personal alcohol production would continue to be banned
As it was described, the easing of alcohol restrictions would be part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, as the country invests a seemingly infinite amount of money in boosting its tourism sector. It would also come ahead of major upcoming international events, including Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.
While a lot of specific details had been shared, Reuters quotes an unnamed Saudi official as stating that these reports aren’t accurate. Now, it remains to be seen if this is just totally “fake news,” or if the country just wasn’t ready to announce this yet.
I did a little digging online to see where these claims actually originated. It seems that Vinetur was first to report this, on May 16, 2025. Given the specificity of claims made, I’m puzzled as to whether those details were just totally made up, or where they came from.
I think alcohol is a question of “when,” not “if”
Ever since Saudi Arabia announced its lofty tourism ambitions, I’ve been curious to see how long it would take for the country to lift its ban on alcohol. To me, it’s a question of “when,” and not “if,” and one of the major tests of seeing how serious Saudi Arabia is about its ambitions.
Look, people can debate all day long whether society is too dependent on alcohol, etc., but the point is that if you’re looking to attract visitors from around the globe as a leisure destination, alcohol in at least some venues is an expectation. Saudi Arabia has very ambitious tourism goals, and one of (several) reasons that some people don’t want to visit the country is because of the alcohol ban.
If you’re trying to gain market share in an industry (in this case Middle Eastern tourism), you have to look at what successful competitors are doing. There’s no better example of this than Dubai, which isn’t exactly a conservative place nowadays.
Keep in mind that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only two countries in the region that have a full-on ban on alcohol consumption for visitors. While minor, it’s worth keeping in mind that in 2024, an alcohol store opened in Riyadh, specifically for non-Muslim diplomats. While that’s not widely useful, it is a reflection of how the country is slowly updating its policy.
So this policy change might not happen in 2026, but I would be shocked if Saudi Arabia doesn’t implement this plan before the end of the decade, at the latest.
Bottom line
Saudi Arabia denies reports that it will lift its ban on alcohol as of 2026. This was otherwise reported online, with claims that beer, wine, and cider, would be allowed in roughly 600 tourism spots across the country. While it sounds like this policy might not be changing now, I think it’s likely that we’ll see a change sooner rather than later…
When do you think we’ll see Saudi Arabia end its ban on alcohol?
Related in a distant way: I was on a 7-nt cruise out of Jeddah a couple years ago and did not have a drink package. The first two nights were within Saudi waters. I was able to get alcoholic drinks in some of the ship's bars for free while we were in SA. They were not allowed to sell alcoholic drinks at that time. Once we were in Egypt and Jordan then they could sell alcoholic drinks.
It's pretty well known here in the kingdom that the government gives the public a heads up that something is coming in this way – announcing and then denying. They did the same with reopening cinemas – said it was a rogue ministerial employee who had misspoken. Then a short while later, they reopened them. The announcement about alcohol will have been genuine. This just gives the public a little time to acclimatise to what most people knew was coming anyway.
Ridiculous, nonsensical laws. Simple: Not interested, not going.
Good for you, stay away.
America or wherever you are would have "Ridiculous, nonsensical laws." too.
You should move to Mars before they have a law there.
YES I AGREE WITH YOU I WILL SKIP THIS COUNTRY AND SIMILAR COUNTRIES
I suspect that these rumours are inaccurate, and for one reason:
It does not make much sense, if one is after tourist crowds, to allow ONLY beer, wine and cider (of which infinite versions exist, both alcoholic and not). Visiting tourists want beer, yes but also cocktails made with hard liquor, whisky, vodka, gin etc....
Saudi Arabia is the strictest and the last of all Middle Eastern countries to enforce a ban, but there...
I suspect that these rumours are inaccurate, and for one reason:
It does not make much sense, if one is after tourist crowds, to allow ONLY beer, wine and cider (of which infinite versions exist, both alcoholic and not). Visiting tourists want beer, yes but also cocktails made with hard liquor, whisky, vodka, gin etc....
Saudi Arabia is the strictest and the last of all Middle Eastern countries to enforce a ban, but there have been many others which have removed the ban in light of tourism, while "shielding" their indigenous population from that "sin".
Qatar, for instance allows drinking by foreigners, it even has an alcohol duty-free shop for arriving passengers in Doha airport. but it is off limits for Qatari nationals. Similarly, all the bars in hotels have chaperons at the door, who check that visitors are registered in the hotels and who do not allow Qataris in.
This is a much more sensible solution and the Saudis will probably take this approach when they decide to allow alcohol. Of course, they do not have considerable experience in the matter and they may be floating trial and error ideas.
Came here to say the same. The reports not being accurate could simply mean spirits will also be allowed.
And, of course, nobody else has this expertise either, right? /s
I was really surprised Etihad offered champagne post-departure from Kuwait City…
POST-departure is nothing surprising. What would be is if they served it on the ground in Kuwait.
But even on Kuwait Airways, FAs are not surprised, when the drink cart passes around, to be asked for "Just a glass and some ice". The same has been going on with Egyptair for decades. They even had bags of half bottles present for self service at the foot of the stairs when embarking.
DUE TO CUSTOMS REGULATIONS SUCH HARD LIQUORS ARE NOT TO BE SERVED OR CONSUMER ON GROUND
THEY CAN BE SERVED AFTER THE FLIGHT IS AIRBORNE
SAME IS THE PRACTICE ON ALL AIRINDIA INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS SHORT HAUL LONG HAUL AND ULTRA LONGHAUL
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED FREE OF COST EVEN TO ECONOMY
(COACH CLASS) PAXS WITH UNLIMITED QUANTITY FOLLOWED BY LUNCH OR DINNER. YOU CAN NJOY ALL
USA CANDAIAN BRITISH...
DUE TO CUSTOMS REGULATIONS SUCH HARD LIQUORS ARE NOT TO BE SERVED OR CONSUMER ON GROUND
THEY CAN BE SERVED AFTER THE FLIGHT IS AIRBORNE
SAME IS THE PRACTICE ON ALL AIRINDIA INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS SHORT HAUL LONG HAUL AND ULTRA LONGHAUL
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED FREE OF COST EVEN TO ECONOMY
(COACH CLASS) PAXS WITH UNLIMITED QUANTITY FOLLOWED BY LUNCH OR DINNER. YOU CAN NJOY ALL
USA CANDAIAN BRITISH AND EUROPAN GULF SIN HKG TYO
AUSTRALIA FLIGHTS OF AIRINDIA
I ENJOYED DRINKS WHILE FLYING INTERNATIONALLY
ALMOST ALL THE ROUTES EXCEPT SAUDI NORH KOREA USSR\
ETC DURING MY CARRIER
You'll be even more surprised of the stashs that expats have.
Let's just say Richard Remy and Johnny walked into the room, their combined age is over a century.
I wouldn’t go to such a country in my lifetime. Pure government control with limited freedoms. There are so many more beautiful places to see where you can’t get arrested for accidentally mis understanding so mundane law. I’ll pass on this place and drink beer anywhere else in the world.
That’s why I won’t set foot in the US.
Yeah exactly same thing, particularly women's rights, gay rights, freedoms, etc. Did you forget your medication again?
Great, hope you never do. You won't be missed. I'm sure you are a bore anyways.
Hypocrites 1:0 Brainwashed hypocrites.
Thank you Ben for actioning my comment
Otherwise great post. As someone who is sober, Saudi has appeal even if they allow some alcohol. More options for me!
@ Andrew -- I warned that person in a separate post to cut it out, as I'm getting tired of it as well. Sorry, follow-up posts in a "thread" are deleted when the initial one is.
Yes, not your fault at all. Thank you again. All for healthy political debate when relevant, but that comment on this post was a bit much.
@Ben, why do you allow comments like this? It is not relevant to the post.
Since when cider counts as alcohol?
When the fermentation process breaks down sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Some serious ciders available in England.
Hard cider is also increasingly popular in the US. There are three dedicated cider "houses" within 15 miles of my house.
Hard cider is also increasingly popular in the US. There are three dedicated cider "houses" within 15 miles of my house.