A bartender in Saudi? Hotel posts job ‘by mistake’

Despite Saudi Arabia's alcohol-free laws, a luxury hotel has listed a job opening for the vacant post of “bartender” required to work in the capital of Riyadh.

This listing was circulated online this week with the job description “serve wine/champagne bottles and restock bar with liquor and supplies” being among the detailed duties required.

But the requirement to serve alcoholic beverages contradicts with Saudi laws, where the sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

The post has since been taken down from the hotel’s website.

Sabq, a Saudi online newspaper, had posted a report showing the job listing. The hotel name and logo listing was covered by a black marker.

bar

Meanwhile, Hospitality Online – a website listing job opportunities in the hospitality sector – is also listing a different job opening for Club Concierge at the Ritz Carlton hotel, where the duties required include to “serve hot, cold, and/or alcoholic beverages and also to secure liquors, beers, wines, coolers, cabinets, and storage areas.”

Merhan el-Massry, Assistant Director of Public Relations for the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh has confirmed that the listed vacancies are indeed for their hotel in the Saudi capital, saying that the post has now been removed and that it was also accidental.

“The posting was listed in error based on a global system and does not apply to The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh continuously respects and upholds the Kingdom's rules,” Massry said.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia as per the guidelines of Islam. Alcohol drinking, producing, trading and smuggling is banned and violators are punished by Saudi authorities. Sentencing for alcohol offenders can include lashing and even serving a jail sentence.