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New York City’s 1926 cabaret law requires venues to be licensed before allowing dancing or entertainment. Critics argue it was created to control African-American jazz clubs. A bill to repeal the law was introduced in 2017, but it has not been successful. Licensing is expensive and difficult to obtain, and applicants must meet specific criteria.
New York City still enforces its 1926 cabaret law, which requires venues that sell food and/or drink to be licensed before they can dance in venues. In particular, the law prohibits “musical entertainment, singing, dancing or other forms of entertainment” without a license. Many believe the law was originally written to control Harlem’s predominantly African-American jazz clubs and reduce the “mixing” of different races. In the 1990s, Mayor Rudy Giuliani was said to have used the law to fine or close some of the smaller Latino clubs operating above 59th Street.
It’s the law of cabaret, old chap:
In 2017, New York City Council member Rafael Espinal introduced a bill calling for the total repeal of the Prohibition-era regulation, which has been repeatedly unsuccessfully challenged in federal court.
Critics argue that licensing is expensive and difficult to obtain, saying enforcement is arbitrary. Proponents insist the law keeps noise complaints to a minimum.
Applicants for a stand-up comedy license must be fingerprinted, provide extensive financial records, and meet specific criteria regarding zoning, safety, fire protection, and other building compliance issues.
