Let’s Legalize Dance

Did you know that all New York City bars and restaurants are allowed to have live music but most do not allow dancing due to antiquated State liquor laws? The history of regulating dance in New York City reflects the change in our culture over the past century. For decades, a number of advocacy groups have opposed racist era laws that have supressed dance and culture including the Dance Liberation Front, Legalize Dancing NYC, Metropolis in Motion, The Dance Liberation Network, The NYC Artists Coalition, Dance Parade New York, and The Dance Police (NYDP). Now that the Cabaret Law’s administrative code was repealed on October 30, 2017 along with the 2024 revision of restrictive zoning laws in the City Of Yes zoning amendements, outdated State Liquor laws still do not permit dancing. This situation contrasts the zoning of live music as live musical entertainment can be conducted in any bar or restaurant throughout New York City.

Dance is an important form of expression and connection for many immigrant and marginalized communities and is a human right not subject to zoning or any form of regulation. In the Cabaret Law’s 91 year history of the supression of dance and culture, it was found nearly impossible to define what consititues dancing–Rhythmic swaying, foot tapping or striking a pose as with “voguing” are movements and can represent even the absense of movement.

According to a 2023 analysis of the State Liquor licenses in NYC, 11,287 licenses were issued to “Eating and Drinking Establishments On Premises”. Of these, only 278 (2.5%) allowed patron dancing. Dancing should not only be permited in hotels and mega-clubs. This outdated licensing system unnecessarily affects small businesses and their patrons who want to dance.

Members of LegalizeDance.Org want the word “dance” removed as a “Method of Operation” under the State Liquor Authority. We maintain that nightlife (and daylife) in “Entertainment establishments” should be regulated by venue capacity not whether or not people are dancing. We maintain that social dancing is a healthy activity and a 1st Amendment Freedom. There is a long list of city and state ordinances that regulate “Entertainment establishments” and New York carries some of the strictess noise and fire safety laws in the country. And as an activity, dancing contributes to a human communal spirit and has the capacity to create a more vibrant and equitable society.