Visitors to the only official alcohol store in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the store had run out of stocks ranging from liquor to wine. Visitors pointed out that the shelves seem mostly empty now, displaying only expensive or unknown brands. Disturbances resulting from the war with Iran caused shipments to be delayed.

Published on: 05/02/2026 - 10:37

Visitors to Saudi Arabia's only official alcohol store reported that the store had run out of stocks ranging from liquor to wine, as unrest caused by the war with Iran caused shipments to be delayed.

Five people who visited the store in Riyadh in the past few days confirmed that the shelves currently appear mostly empty, displaying only expensive or unknown brands.

A Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that white wine does not exist and there are "only a few bottles of very expensive red wine." The diplomat added: "They also received a shipment of unknown alcohol."

Long lines and tense nerves

Visitors who spoke with Reuters said stock shortages led to long lines outside the Riyadh store, and foreign residents began leaving work in the middle of the day to try their luck, sometimes leading to frayed nerves and fights.

They stated that store employees told them that shipments coming from Bahrain and the Emirates were delayed, and both countries apply more liberal rules regarding alcohol compared to Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh store, despite its caution and tight supervision, represents a milestone in the efforts led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to open up the Kingdom.

Read also: Iran threatens to attack Saudi, Kuwaiti, and Emirati bridges: Can the Gulf states tolerate prolonging the conflict?

Before the store opened, people in Saudi Arabia had no choice but to resort to home-made alcoholic beverages, diplomatic channels, or the black market, where prices and quality varied greatly.

Reuters reported last year that Saudi Arabia was planning to open two more alcohol stores, one in Jeddah and the other to serve foreigners at Saudi Aramco Oil Company in the east, but three people said that had not yet happened.

The Saudi Government Communications Center did not respond to a request for comment on whether there is an alcohol shortage and whether they are taking any measures to address it.

France 24/Reuters

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