When you think of Kerala, you probably picture coconut palms, backwater canals, and the serene Arabian Sea coastline. But tucked behind its postcard beauty lies a complicated relationship with alcohol. For the state’s 33 million residents — roughly equal to the population of California or all of Canada — buying a simple drink has never been easy.
Kerala’s Battle With the Bottle
In 2014, Kerala’s government launched a bold campaign to reduce alcohol consumption. The ruling Congress party refused to renew more than 700 liquor licenses, leaving only a few hundred bars in operation. Overnight, the state was pushed toward near-prohibition.
By 2016, restrictions were relaxed, and some establishments reopened. Still, compared to the rest of India, bars in Kerala were scarce and tightly regulated.
Then came another challenge.
The Supreme Court Ruling That Changed Everything
In December 2016, India’s Supreme Court banned the sale of alcohol within 500 meters of any national or state highway, aiming to cut down on drunk driving accidents. On paper, it was a reasonable step toward public safety.
In practice, it spelled disaster. Countless bars, restaurants, and hotels suddenly found themselves too close to major roads. Some shut down entirely. Others tried relocating, but for many, the cost was overwhelming.
But one bar refused to give up — and found a brilliantly unconventional loophole.
The Bar That Built a Maze
In North Paravoor, a town in Kerala, the Aishwarya Bar faced extinction. Located just 25 meters (about 80 feet) from a highway, it was well within the restricted zone. The owners could have closed their doors. Instead, they built a maze.
Yes, a maze.
They constructed winding walls around the property, forcing customers to walk in a zig-zag path to the entrance. The aerial distance was too short — but the walking distance? A clever 520 meters. That’s 20 meters more than required by law.
A Legal Loophole That Worked
It might sound like a trick, but legally, the Aishwarya Bar was in the clear. A regulatory official later confirmed to India Times that authorities only measure walking distance, not direct line-of-sight.
As the legal blog Lowering the Bar pointed out, this actually aligns with the court’s intent: if drivers can’t simply pull over for a quick drink, they’re less likely to drink and drive. At the Aishwarya Bar, visitors had to get out of their cars and trek half a kilometer — exactly what the law required.
The bar did face a fine for altering its entrance without prior approval, but that was a small price to pay to stay in business. In fact, reports suggest other bars in Kerala are considering copying the strategy.
Bonus Story: The Village That Chose Chess Over Alcohol
While some bars outsmarted the law, one Kerala village took a completely different approach. In Marottichal, residents embraced sobriety by turning to chess.
According to The New Indian Express, the entire village now boasts 100% chess literacy. From children to the elderly, everyone plays. Former drinkers swapped bottles for bishops and pawns, proving that checkmates can be more addictive than alcohol — and far healthier.
Final Thoughts
The story of the Aishwarya Bar’s maze is more than just a quirky legal loophole — it’s a glimpse into how people adapt when laws collide with livelihoods. Whether by building labyrinths or playing chess, Kerala shows that creativity often finds a way, even when restrictions seem impossible.
