The only official liquor store in Saudi Arabia, a notable location in a country that bans alcohol, has unexpectedly encountered a shortage problem because of logistical issues resulting from the conflict in Iran. The unforeseen factor of war is affecting this famous place.
As reported by Reuters on the first, a store situated in Riyadh’s diplomatic area has recently exhausted its stock of major alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine, and tequila. This situation is due to delays in deliveries from nearby Middle Eastern nations like Bahrain and the UAE, as air and sea transportation have been affected by the conflict involving Iran.
The shop, which began operations in 2024 without a sign or official name, mainly catered to non-Muslim diplomats and their families living in Saudi Arabia. From last year onwards, it has broadened its services to include affluent non-Muslim expatriates.
Saudi Arabia, which has banned the consumption, production, and sale of alcohol under Islamic law since 1952, has allowed this store to operate as an exception as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s national modernization initiative designed to draw in foreign investment and expand the economy. Although the government has explored the possibility of establishing more stores in areas such as Jeddah, these initiatives remain unrealized.
Nevertheless, the Iran conflict has had a direct impact, resulting in the store’s shelves being almost bare. A Western diplomat who toured the location stated to Reuters, “There is no white wine available, and only a handful of extremely costly red wine bottles are left. I also noticed some unknown beers.”
The “liquor shortage crisis” is said to have changed the store’s environment. Extended queues have formed outside, with shoppers leaving their jobs to stand in line for possible restocking, resulting in disorderly situations. Extended waiting periods have increased stress, causing regular disputes, as reported by sources.
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