The NYC Hospitality Alliance was part of repealing the arcane cabaret law, which required a business to obtain a license before allowing people to dance in their restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. However, zoning laws still on the books today prohibit restaurants and bars located in many areas across the city from allowing their customers to dance.

Today, we urge you to contact your City Council Member and submit testimony urging them to vote in FAVOR of the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Zoning Text Amendment” that will remove the restrictions on dancing from zoning, so only safety and sound requirements govern businesses, not arbitrary location restrictions on the free expression of dance. This is the next step in righting a historical wrong following the repeal of the cabaret law, which was controversial, and its implementation and enforcement was racist and selective. Small businesses in far too many neighborhoods are restricted from having dancing, and it is unjust.

Please submit a pre-drafted email/testimony to the City Council supporting this amendment. Feel free to edit/personalize the draft email for greater impact or submit as is.

Thank you!