Kathmandu, Sept. 5 -- The complete ban on the sale of alcohol in India's Bihar state had fostered a booming business in bars and entertainment on the Nepal side of the border. The pandemic lockdown has reduced business, but some of the clandestine trade still persists.

These photographs were taken before the lockdown, and show bhattis and fancy restaurants packed with Indiancustomers of various socio-economic strata. Taking advantage of the open border, the flow of tipplers is open and unregulated.

Responding to this overwhelming demand, Nepal's border cities are crammed with liquor shops, and their shelves are overflowing with wine, beer and spirits. Anyone caught selling alcohol in Bihar gets a five year jail term, so Nepal is an easy...