New York State Liquor Authority poised to make it easier for bars, restaurants to allow dancing: ‘The dance police is over’

Get Ready to Dance in New York!

Exciting news for bar and restaurant goers in New York State! The New York State Liquor Authority is on the verge of allowing customers to dance without any fear of losing their liquor licenses. This move comes almost ten years after New York City eliminated its strict cabaret and zoning laws.

Although the cabaret laws have been abolished, the State Liquor Authority still requires license applicants to disclose whether they would permit dancing on their premises. This has prevented many establishments from allowing their patrons to dance freely.

The SLA board is expected to put an end to this practice in an upcoming vote, which is great news for entertainment lovers.

Liquor license attorney Max Bookman expressed his joy by saying, “The dance police is over.”

The SLA has announced that they will no longer require license applicants to answer questions about patron dancing in the application process. This change aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s support for live performances and dancing, as well as the repeal of the Cabaret Law in New York City.

While some community boards may oppose this decision, the SLA is moving forward with their plan to promote a more vibrant nightlife scene in the state.

It’s important to note that the new policy will not affect strip clubs that feature pole dancing and lap dancing. Exotic dancing venues will still need to disclose their practices to the SLA.

The history of cabaret dancing in the city dates back to the 1920s during Prohibition. The ban was enforced again during Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s quality-of-life initiatives in the 1990s. However, it was officially overturned in 2017 under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.

As of now, the SLA has not provided any further comments on this matter.