Alcohol-free Saudi Arabia plans champagne and wine bars at Neom

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom megaproject plans to serve wine, cocktails and champagne at a resort slated to open next year, according to planning documents and people familiar with the development, in what would be a first for a conservative kingdom where alcohol is banned.

The sale of alcohol, if permitted, would mark a risky step for the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salmanof the economic and cultural metamorphosis of his country, which aims in part to attract foreign tourists and encourage expatriate businessmen to live and work there.