Saudi Arabia has welcomed its first permanent nightclub – but you’ll need an extra £1,900 to become an annual member.
Beast House, located in Riyadh’s artsy Jax district, a vibrant hub for artists and creatives, has been hailed as the start of “a new life” by excited revelers.
While DJs, stylish interiors and the opportunity to socialize are present at the music venue, alcohol remains prohibited, with mocktails instead served at the bar and bouncers on hand to enforce no-drinking rules alcohol, according The times.
Alcohol has been banned in the conservative Islamic Kingdom since 1952, after one of King Abdulaziz’s sons, while intoxicated, shot dead a British diplomat.
But several rules Things have changed in Saudi Arabia in recent years since the accession to the throne of King Salman and his assertive son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia has welcomed its first permanent nightclub (pictured) – but you’ll need an extra £1,900 to become an annual member
In 2018, women gained the right to drive. Women are no longer required to wear the full-covering black abaya. Cinemas and other entertainment centers were opened, and a permanent nightclub is now available.
Clear limits remain on speech and any political activity in the tightly governed kingdom. But in the arts space, Saudi Arabia is slowly opening up.
In fact, Saudi DJ Tarek anTabi told the publication that it “means the world to me” to finally be able to perform in his country after spending years showcasing his musical skills abroad.
Another Beast House fan, named Nouf, admitted that she had been tempted to live somewhere else before changes were introduced in Saudi Arabia.
‘It’s a new life, we are born again. Especially as women,” said Nouf, who reportedly arrived at the club with her friend.
However, the price of this ‘new life’ is said to be £1,900 for the lowest type of annual membership, rising to around £2,800 for the highest type.
“It’s expensive,” admitted one person at the club, which first opened its doors earlier this year. “Leisure is expensive.”
The multi-story club reportedly features studio spaces, dining rooms, and production rooms with recording booths.
Beast House (believed to be seen in the background of this snapshot), located in Riyadh’s artsy Jax district, a vibrant hub for artists and creatives, has been hailed as the start of “a new life” by excited revelers.
While DJs, stylish interiors and the opportunity to socialize are present at the music venue (pictured), alcohol remains prohibited, with mocktails served at the bar and bouncers on hand to enforce no-drinking rules alcohol.
The multi-story club (pictured) reportedly features studio spaces, dining rooms and production rooms with recording booths.
Revelers will party all night at Beast House in Riyadh. The club opened earlier this year.
Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, the company behind the venue, said Arab news: ‘We see Beast House becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene, a place where creativity is encouraged and talents from the local and international scene can grow.
‘Our vision is to revolutionize the way music is experienced in the region by fostering connections in the creative community through the power of music.
‘We’ve been spreading the word, giving people information about what members clubs are really about. “We’ve launched some sneak peek events to get you hooked on the experience and are connecting with creative pioneers to grow the right community.”
MDLBEAST is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as his nation’s prime minister.
The Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund has been at the center of a series of high-profile sports acquisitions, acquiring Newcastle United in November 2021 and launching the lucrative and controversial LIV Golf series the following year, which was later merged with the PGA Tour and DP World. Route.
Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, the company behind the venue, told Arab News: “We see Beast House (pictured) becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene, a place where creativity and music are encouraged. talents from the local and international scene can grow”.
MDLBEAST, is backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as his nation’s prime minister. In the photo, the interior of the venue.
Revelers enjoy a night out at Beast House in Saudi Arabia
Some have seen Saudi Arabia’s moves in the industry as an attempt to burnish the country’s reputation and divert attention from its human rights violations.
The nation has pursued a sports-focused growth agenda over the past five years, as Saudi Arabia itself has hosted a host of events, from boxing matches to football tournaments.
Saudi officials have long denied that there are motives beyond financial ones behind their active moves in the world of sport, stating instead that sport is a cornerstone of the ‘Vision 2030’ strategy.
The program was launched in 2016 in an attempt to diversify the Saudi economy away from its dependence on oil exports.
