Nightlife X City Hall + Dancing

The NYC Hospitality Alliance has been to City Hall many times over the years, but this was the first time we’ve seen a disco ball 🪩 in the room, which was groovy because Mayor Adams and Jeffrey Garcia of the Office of Nightlife convened a meeting with the nightlife community to discuss issues, opportunities, and solutions of importance to us.

 It was a symbolic day to convene the nightlife meeting because after many years of advocacy, the elimination of the “Footloose” dancing restrictions from zoning were approved by the City Council. This was the critically important step required after we successfully advocated to repeal the Cabaret Law some years back. Soon you can legally dance at many more restaurants and bars across NYC, where the city’s zoning had prohibited it.

Eliminating restrictions on dancing was just one of the proposals approved by the City Council in Mayor Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity plan.

You can read more about the plan and find our press release quote here.

“After decades of having to sit in their seats or stand still, New Yorkers can finally groove to the music at small neighborhood establishments.” said Rob Bookman, general and legislative counsel, and Andrew Rigie, executive director, The New York City Hospitality Alliance. “Thank you Mayor Adams and Chair Garodnick for retiring the dance police and getting stuff done!

Big thanks to all the other city leaders and advocates with whom we worked for years on this important issue!