Saudi Arabia has abandoned its conservative laws to open the first permanent nightclub in a bid to attract young party lovers.
Nicknamed “New Life”, Beast House in Riyadh’s youthful Jax district is the only vibrant venue for partygoers in the country – but getting a ticket isn’t cheap.
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With elegant interiors, stunning lighting and luxurious amenities, the creators hope the multi-story nightclub will become the epicenter of the country’s evolving arts and music scene.
The location also has several studios, cafeterias and production rooms equipped with recording booths.
Talented DJs and music producers come into the club to perform for young Saudis who have been banned from partying – even in private spaces – for decades.
The expectation is that the club will attract foreign tourists visiting the country, who until now had nowhere to go for parties.
Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of the company behind the venue, said Arabic News: “We see Beast House becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene, a place where creativity is nurtured and talent from the local and international scene can flourish.
“Our vision is to revolutionize the way music is experienced in the region, fostering connections in the creative community through the power of music.”
Have you ever been to the nightclub? Share your thoughts with us at sayan.bose@the-sun.co.uk
“We’re spreading the word, giving people information about what membership clubs are really all about. We’ve launched some preview events to hook them into the experience, and we’re connecting with creative trailblazers to develop the right community.”
Saudi DJ Tarek anTabi, who previously had to travel abroad to perform his shows, told The Times: “[The club] means a lot to me”, after finally being able to showcase his musical skills in his own country.
However, joining the exclusive club doesn’t come cheap: the lowest annual membership at the country’s first nightclub costs a staggering £1,900.
But Saudis with large financial resources have the option of paying around £2,800 to get the best benefits.
One of the women who visited the club was Nouf, who admitted she was tempted to leave the country before the subtle social reforms – including a little more freedom for women – came into effect.
“It’s a new life, we are born again. Especially as women,” she said as she entered the club with her friend.
The club is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, as well as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – who is racing to put Saudi Arabia on the global stage with his maddening projects like NEOM and Line.
Although the exclusive party venue offers top-notch everything, alcohol still remains banned on the premises – and strict security guards have been hired especially to enforce the no-drink rule.
Instead, guests can choose from a vast menu of mocktails.
Alcohol, considered indecent in the Islamic faith, has been banned in the conservative country since the 1950s.
What happened to Saudi Arabia’s strict conservative rules?
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
Gone are the days when women were forced to cover themselves from head to toe and partying was a crime in the conservative Islamic state.
But why such a drastic change?
Saudi Arabia’s young prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is working quickly to attract and satisfy the country’s younger generation, who make up the majority of the country’s current population.
He seems to want to ascend the royal throne while having the support of Saudi Arabia’s youth.
And what they want is more jobs, more entertainment and a space where they can live freely – at least to some extent.
Although women are still required to dress modestly – which includes not wearing tight clothing and see-through materials – the monarchy has relaxed the dress code somewhat in recent years after removing the law on wearing an abaya in public.
Changes in attitudes and law enforcement occurred when King Salman “stripped arrest powers from religious police, removing enforcers of the Saudi dress code,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
Women have now gained the right to drive and can frequent cinemas and other entertainment centers – including the country’s first nightclub.
Although Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most gender-segregated countries in the world, the country’s conservative gender rules are also changing.
In December 2019, restaurants were no longer required to have separate entrances for men and women, and some no longer enforced segregation.
And now men and women can even party together.
In addition to appealing to the young population, the ambitious prince also wants to make the Saudi economy more independent of its oil business – and attract more foreign investment.
He also wants to put the country on the global stage with his maddening projects like NEOM and Line.
Recently, the Islamic country lifted its alcohol ban for a select group of non-Muslim expatriates – mostly diplomats – in a dramatic break with the national ban that has been in place since 1952.
A Lebanese businessman dining at a French restaurant told The Guardian: “This country continues to surprise us.”
Another expert from the region said: “This is another step towards normalizing government sanctions on alcohol in defined settings.”
Despite the Saudis’ attempt to become a little less conservative, the absolute monarchy still restricts almost all political rights and civil liberties.
- There is still strong public surveillance
- Dissent against authorities is met with a harsh response
- Religious minority women still face extreme discrimination
- The country is accused of exploiting a large part of its expatriate workforce, who work day and night to maintain the city’s glitzy scene.
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