Racist era zoning laws currently supress dance culture in 99% of New York City. Though the City Council repealed the Cabaret Law in 2017 and antiquated zoning laws in 2024, the New York State's Liquor Authority and the Community Boards that cater to them, decides which applicants will be allowed to permit dancing.

In 1926, while liquor was bootlegged and jazz was shaking things up in Harlem, New York City instituted the Cabaret Law that required establishments serving food or drink to obtain a separate license before permitting any dancing or live music on their premises. This law sought to police and restrict the interracial mixing happening in dance clubs uptown. Almost 100 years later, though times and racial attitudes have changed, the City’s zoning laws enacted years ago to conform with the then draconian Cabaret Law, restricted dancing to high density commercial and industrial areas of the city. After Mayor Adams' City of Yes zoning ammendment, venues with a capacity of less than 200 patrons, now allow dancing since May 24, 2024.

Our city thrives hen all cultures can express their traditions, including Black, Asian, Arab, Caribbean, LatinX, and LGBTQ+ communities. From Soca and Caribbean in Flatbush to Polka in Greenpoint, salsa, merengue, and bachata in Queens, and hip hop in the Bronx—each should be protected as a 1st amendment activity. Additionally, the expressive forms of Swing, Voguing, House and Waacking in Manhattan contribute to this rich mosaic citywide. SLA restrictions that curtail these diverse expressions not only limit artistic and cultural freedom but also erode the essence of who we are as proud New Yorkers.

New York’s restrictive liquor regulations affect not only individual dancers and communities, but businesses too, who suffer under the weight of intransigent bureaucracy, legal costs, inconsistent and unfair enforcement with disproportionate fines and penalties.

We are grateful for former Council Member Rafael Espinal for creating the Office of Nightlife and for getting rid of the Cabaret Law's administrative and zoning restrictions but there is still work to do to fully adjust the SLA to fit into constitutional standards.

We call upon Governor Hochul to allow dancing in New York State's entertainment venues where alcohol is served. If a tapas restaurant wants to clear away tables to present a flamenco show, the restaurant should be permitted to do so.

Social dancing should be freely available to anyone and everyone in any venue in the State of New York where it is safe to do so. No Community Board should force bars and restaurants to post "No Dancing Allowed" signs. Local communities and small businesses should be allowed to dance and flourish. 

We will present this petition to the State Assembly. Help us to finally end the prohibition on dancing by signing this petition and voting for candidates who support and advocate for it! 

To learn more or join the advocacy program, visit
https://legalizedance.org