While musical performances are on their way to becoming the new thing in Saudi Arabia's Food & Beverage scene, applying for a license is still essential.
Last week, a popular local restaurant in the kingdom had their musical performance halted by the government because it was unlicensed. The head of Saudi Arabia's Entertainment Authority, Turki Al Al-Sheikh, announced that the government body will be taking action against the restaurant.
Al-Sheikh issued a strongly-worded statement on Twitter, warning any business in the kingdom that it will be prosecuted if it violates the Entertainment Authority's rules.
The Saudi-based Japanese eatery, Nozomi, didn't draw the most positive of comments when a video of the performance - which took place at a pop-up branch the restaurant recently launched in Khobar - went online.
Music in restaurants and cafés has always been a controversial matter in the ultra-conservative kingdom. Eateries in the country aren't allowed to host musical performances without a license issued by the country's Entertainment Authority.
Even those that do host such events with a license find themselves under fire by the public for going against the kingdom's values, traditions, and social norms.
Things weren't so different this time, as many attacked Nozomi and its owners for putting on the performance. However, others came to the restaurant's defense.
"We ask for Nozomi to be shut down"
But, not everyone was on the same page. Some showed appreciation...
"I like it"
Many thought the entire incident was blown out of proportion
Nozomi has since issued an apology over the incident
Late on Sunday, the restaurant's management issued an apology on social media for hosting an unlicensed event.
"Nozomi's management apologizes over the live event held at the restaurant's temporary pop-up branch in Al Khobar as part of the Sharqiyah season festival. The performance was not licensed by the kingdom's entertainment authority and this was a result of a mistake made by one of our employees. It was stopped 15 minutes after it started," it read.
Though the apology was well received by the restaurant's fans, some noted the business will still face legal issues because it failed to get the required documents.