Saudi Arabia allows alcohol

[RooFlyer]

as predicted by some of us in another thread

Saudi Arabia Ends Ban On Alcohol, But Only For Rich Foreign Expats

Saudi Arabia has ended its 70+ year ban on alcohol, but only for rich foreign expats in Riyadh. Here's how the policy has changed.

onemileatatime.com

 

[ols]

I'll drink to that

 

[justinbrett]

I suspect QF was involved with the exclusion of spirits

Expect to pay through the nose. I just left Jordan yesterday and the few places that have alcohol, either only have low strength beer and wine (produced in Jordan), or the cost is eye watering. $30 for a 30ml nip of gin. The Hilton Diamond drink vouchers were quite valuable!

I’ll wait until I can get a G&T thanks.

 

[jase05]

I like a drink but we have travelled quite a bit through the ME and have had no issues going without alcohol in places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and even the UAE. We have even travelled through the ME numerous times during Ramadan and again have had no issues. It’s a great part of the world to visit and I’m not going to stop visiting just because I can’t have a drink. As someone who eats Pork about 8-10 per week I find that harder to give up than the grog

 

[Quickstatus]

Does it sound like some travellers can't go a day without alcohol

 

[elanshin]

Well Tony Douglas will be happy. Pretty sure this wiuld include RX as well so we can put that debate to bed whether Riyadh Air will be dry.

 

[justinbrett]

Does it sound like some travellers can't go a day without alcohol

Please have respect for others cultures

 

[RooFlyer]

The evolution continues. Alcohol now sold to 'premium' expats - through a store.

Saudi Arabia Ends Ban On Alcohol, But Only For Rich Foreign Expats

Saudi Arabia has ended its 70+ year ban on alcohol, but only for rich foreign expats in Riyadh. Here's how the policy has changed.

onemileatatime.com

 

[lovestotravel]

Alcohol or not, not a place or airline I'd ever fly

 

[jase05]

Alcohol or not, not a place or airline I'd ever fly

Mrs Jase said the same but she enjoyed it and now we have been back several times and hopefully again soon.
It’s remarkable seeing the transformation over the last few years

 

[kelvedon]

Apparently alcohol was available in Saudi until an unfortunate incident in Jeddah in 1951.

The 19 y.o. son of King Abdulaaziz, Prince Mishari, was a guest at a party hosted by Cyril Ousman, the British vice-consul.

When Ousman refused to serve the Prince any more drinks, the headstrong Prince left the party, only to return with a gun and fired into the hosts home killing the vice-consul.

King Abdulaziz banned alcohol the next year.

The young Prince was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ousman’s widow subsequently accepted compensation from the King, and Prince Mishari was later given a Royal pardon by the then King Saud.
He died in 2000 aged 66.

 

[RooFlyer]

Mrs Jase said the same but she enjoyed it and now we have been back several times and hopefully again soon.

I’m going back next February and but I guess there’s only a small chance that they’ll relaxed things more before then