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Posted on 12/24/2025 7:16:47 PM PST by xxqqzz
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia has quietly expanded access to its only store that sells alcohol, allowing wealthy foreign residents to buy booze in the latest step in the once-ultraconservative kingdom’s experiment in liberalization.
There’s been no official announcement of the decision, but word has gotten out, and long lines of cars and people can now be seen at the discreet, unmarked store in the Diplomatic Quarter of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The store opened in January 2024 for non-Muslim diplomats. The new rules allow non-Muslim foreigners who hold Premium Residency to buy. The residency permit goes to foreigners with specialized skills, investors and entrepreneurs.
Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, has banned alcohol since the early 1950s. The store is widely seen as a way to cautiously test the controlled sale of alcohol.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his father, King Salman, have pursued a dramatic liberalization policy in the kingdom, aiming to attract tourism, boost international business and reduce economic dependence on crude oil.
Alcohol remains banned for the general public.
The unmarked store resembles a duty-free shop. Its ownership remains officially undisclosed.
Security is strict. Every visitor is subject to eligibility checks and frisking before entry. Phones and cameras are banned inside, and staff even inspect eyewear for smart glasses.
The Associated Press spoke to several customers leaving the store. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the stigma around alcohol.
Prices are sharply elevated, they said. Diplomats are exempt from taxes on their purchases, but Premium Residency holders are not.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
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How long before the Wahhabis blow it up?
CC
Money is the reason. I will bet the Saudi Royalty has all they want, drink all they want, along with the blonds on flights. Everyone is paid well to be silent.
Populace to the long, long line waiting for orders at the liquor place:
“Hey, infidel, whattsa’ matter, you need a little hair of the dog this morning?”
“If you’re seeing double don’t let the clerk charge you for two bottles.”
“In the morning I’m going to look great but you’re still going to be ugly.”
“I heard you promise ‘I’m not going to drink any more next year. I’m going to just drink the same amount again.’”
“Now I know why they ban you infidels from donating your liver on the driver’s license donor’s section.”
One more.
“If you can lie flat on the floor and not fall down then it means you haven’t had too much to drink.”
Frank Sinatra joke told by his friend Joey Lewis.
So therefore it should be illegal to buy alcohol.
And it should be illegal to sell alcohol.
Apparently none of these statements is true (if you have connections).
I don't drink but I'll considert a visit to the KSA as soon as they start allowing bacon cheeseburgers.
https://search.brave.com/search?q=assets+and+holdings+of+Saudi+sovereign+fund&summary=1
As of December 19, 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has assets under management (AUM) valued at $925 billion, making it the second-largest sovereign wealth fund in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, behind the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)... aiming to grow its assets to $2 trillion by 2030, with 83% of its holdings expected to remain within Saudi Arabia. Assets Under Management (AUM): The PIF’s AUM reached $925 billion in March 2024 and has been reported at $941 billion in a Wikipedia entry updated in October 2025, reflecting ongoing growth. As of July 2025, the fund’s assets surpassed $1 trillion, ranking it fourth globally among sovereign wealth funds... It holds a 38% stake in Posco Engineering & Construction Co. and a 5% stake in Uber, among other significant domestic and international investments... The fund has stakes in global companies including Lucid Motors (majority shareholder), Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive, BlackRock, and Heathrow Airport. It also acquired a 49% stake in Rocco Forte Hotels in December 2023 and a 38% share in HOLON GmbH, a German subcompany of Benteler International, in 2024... It has also invested in prime real estate, including a planned two-thirds stake in a Manhattan skyscraper at 625 Madison Avenue... It has also acquired stakes in Saudi Aramco, now valued at approximately $328 billion, representing 37% of its portfolio.
AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.
Or BLTs.
Money talks and BS walks, even in the holy kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
CC
Pussies.
I bet they sell gummies, too!
The Saudis in the 1970’s had a person at Saudi Aramco whose only job was to make sure the American workers still’s didn’t blow up. There were a lot of still’s in the American compound. The local police chief would frequent some friends apartment and get sloshed. The Saudi’s don’t know how to drink.
That’s Trump’s whole point. Modernize Islam, then let them take care of the crazies.
While the EU is becoming more Islamic, it’s kind of ironic that the Middle East is actually moderating, even Iran.
I think Trump is trying to have an Islamic version of the Reformation.
Circa 1978, I lived in Oman and had a license to buy alcohol as a Christian at a very reasonable price. It was a most generous allowance. Another person with the company that did much entertaining for business purposes had a different license that allowed him to buy in greater quantities. It worked and everybody was okay.
Oddly my boss a Muslim most educated in Oxford and former diplomat could not. However, we could go down to a luxury hotel and have a drink together even if he was in full Arab garb. It was “understood” that a Muslim would not go into a bar thus my boss was most certainly not Muslim. It was all a game of charades and we all knew the rules. The man that entertained clients bought his bottles of whiskey and gin on his generous allowance.
Odd story. At 7pm Said and I would always have a Gin and Tonic together in his office. (7pm due to the afternoon break and resume work at 5 to 7pm as it was hot as hell there). The office was on the ground floor and apartments above one of which I lived in. I went down as normal with the house boy behind me with gin and tonics. A man was in his office and Said waved me away. Thirty minutes later I returned with drinks. Said explained that the man was the Minster of Justice that lived next door and he could not drink with me in front of him but also assured me he was drinking next door in his home as usual.
I would hate to see what they do to you if you get pulled over for a DUI.
Yeah, they’re taking care of them by shipping off their crazies to Western nations.
No thanks.
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