State officials say you can dance if you want to' in NYC bars, no questions asked | amNewYork

The State Liquor Authority will no longer ask establishments whether patrons will be allowed to dance when applying for an on-premise liquor license. The change removes red tape tied to long-standing fears that answering yes could jeopardize a business’s liquor license. The restriction traces back to the Prohibition-era Cabaret Law, which limited dancing in commercial spaces without a highly restricted cabaret license. The Cabaret Law was repealed in 2017, and City of Yes legislation in 2024 updated zoning rules to allow dancing, comedy performances, and open mic sessions in commercial districts. The new step further eases the licensing process for opening nightlife venues and restaurants.

"Effective immediately, the State Liquor Authority (SLA) will no longer ask if establishments will allow their patrons to dance when they apply for an on-premise liquor license, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Thursday. The latest development in the decades-long fight to repeal draconian laws that restricted dancing in NewYork City's nightlife establishments removed red tape and addressed the pervasive paranoia that answering yes to questions about allowing dancing will somehow jeopardize a business's liquor license."

"New York's hospitality industry is unmatched, and our restaurants, bars and nightlife are a big part of what makes our communities so vibrant, Hochul said. By eliminating this antiquated restriction on dancing, we're making it easier for businesses to succeed and for New Yorkers and visitors alike to experience the energy and excitement that define our state."

"The lingering collective trauma and fear of acknowledging dancing as part of a State Liquor Authority license application stem from the Prohibition-era Cabaret Law, which prohibited businesses from allowing dancing in commercial spaces without a highly restricted cabaret license. Business owners and patrons wanting to cut a rug have long criticized the law as discriminatory and harmful to the city's hospitality industry."

"The Cabaret Law was repealed in 2017, and then in 2024, City of Yes legislation updated zoning laws to allow dancing, comedy performances, and open mic sessions within local eateries and nightlife venues throughout commercial districts. Now, Hochul and the SLA are removing another layer of red tape in the arduous licensing process for opening a bar or restaurant in NYC."

Read at www.amny.com