Introducing Saudi Arabia's first nightclub where booze is banned and it costs £1,900 to get in! Revellers dance the night away at members-only 'sovereign wealth fund-backed' Beast House

Saudi Arabia has welcomed its first permanent nightclub - but you'll need a spare £1,900 to become an annual member.

Beast House, found in Riyadh’s artistic Jax District, a vibrant hub for artists and creatives, has been hailed as the start of 'a new life' by excited revellers.

While DJs, chic interiors and the opportunity for socialising are all present at the music venue, alcohol remains forbidden, with mocktails served at the bar instead and bouncers on hand to enforce the no-booze rules, according to The Times.

Alcohol has been banned in the conservative Islamic Kingdom since 1952 after one of King Abdulaziz's sons drunkenly shot dead a British diplomat.

But several rules have changed in Saudi Arabia in recent years since the accession 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 a spare £1,900 to become an annual member

In 2018, women gained the right to drive. Women are no longer required to wear the fully cloaking black abaya. Movie theatres and other entertainment centres opened - and now a permanent nightclub is available.

Clear limits still remain on speech and any political activity in the tightly governed kingdom. But in the arts space, Saudi Arabia is slowly opening up.

Indeed, Saudi DJ tarek anTabi told the publication 'it means the world to me' to finally be able to perform in his country after spending years showing off his musical skills abroad instead.

Another Beast House fan, named Nouf, admitted she had been tempted to live elsewhere before changes were introduced in Saudi Arabia.

'It’s a new life, we’re born again. Especially as women,' Nouf, who reportedly arrived at the club with her friend, said.

However, the price for this 'new life' is said to be a staggering £1,900 for the lowest type of annual membership, going up to around £2,800 for the highest.

'It’s pricey,' one person at the club - which first opened its doors earlier this year - admitted. 'Leisure is expensive.'

The multistorey club reportedly boasts studio spaces, dining areas and production rooms with recording booths.

Beast House (thought to be pictured in the background of this snap), found in Riyadh’s artistic Jax District, a vibrant hub for artists and creatives, has been hailed as the start of 'a new life' by excited revellers

While DJs, chic interiors and the opportunity for socialising are all present at the music venue (pictured), alcohol remains forbidden, with mocktails served at the bar instead and bouncers on hand to enforce the no-booze rules

The multistorey club (pictured) reportedly boasts studio spaces, dining areas and production rooms with recording booths 

Revellers party the night away at Beast House in Riyadh. The club opened earlier this year

Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, the company behind the venue, told Arab News: 'We see Beast House becoming a cornerstone of Riyadh’s music scene, a place where creativity is nurtured and talents from the local and international scenes can grow. 

'Our vision is to revolutionise 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 the lowdown on what members’ clubs are really all about. We’ve rolled out a few sneak-peek events to hook them on the experience, and we’re connecting with creative trailblazers to grow the right community.'

MDLBEAST is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - who also serves as his nation's prime minister.

The Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund has been at the centre of a number of high-profile sporting acquisitions, taking over Newcastle United in November 2021, and launching the lucrative and controversial LIV Golf series the following year - which later merged with PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

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 is nurtured and talents from the local and international scenes can grow'

MDLBEAST, is backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - who also serves as his nation's prime minister. Pictured, the interior of the venue

Revellers enjoy a night out at the Beast House in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's movements in the industry have been seen by some as an attempt to burnish the country's reputation and shift focus away from its human rights violations. 

The nation has pursued a sports-centric growth agenda over the past five years as Saudi Arabia itself has played host to a wealth of events from boxing matches to football tournaments. 

Saudi officials have long denied motives beyond financial ones behind their active movements in the world of sport, instead stating that sport is a cornerstone of the 'Vision 2030' strategy.

The program was launched in 2016 in an attempt to diversify the Saudi economy from dependency on oil exports.