In 2025 the SLA modified its form to request a change in the Method of Operations required in allowing the SLA to approve dancing and live music in locations now available for dancing by the NYC zoning change, and seemingly approving surrendering its authority to Community Board stipulations and signalling approving conditions which violate the First Amendment as to Live Music.
Document Category: State Liquor Authority (SLA)
Analysis of SLA License Database as of March 15, 2023 as updated.
SLA data shows that Live Music is explicitly or implicitly disallowed in over 9000 of the 11,000 NYC licenses; only 278 licenses allow patron dancing.
Amendments to State Liquor Authority Laws
[This memo is in process. version 1 – March 7 2024] In 2024, certain amendments were made to New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (which governs the operation of the State Liquor Authority. https://sla.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-liquor-authority-announces-expansion-options-businesses-liquor-licenses-enacted. According to the SLA, one of the changes was: Community Notification – Allows applicants to simultaneously apply for a license and notify… Continue reading Amendments to State Liquor Authority Laws
Background to 2024 Amendments to SLA Laws V4
{being edited Jan 16 2025 – please come back v4} In 2022-2023, its seems a a result of a proposal by the Governor, efforts were initiated to amend the Alcohol and Beverage Control Law which governs the State Liquor Authority. The bill was initiated in the Senate. Sponsors of the bill on the Senate… Continue reading Background to 2024 Amendments to SLA Laws V4
Recent Court Decisions Upholding Liquor Licenses – Senter and Eldridge
[Edited January 25, 2025] Two relatively recent New York County Supreme Court decisions uphold SLA approvals of liquor licenses over the objection of local residents. One decision (Senter) upholds dancing and live music over the objections of a local community group and involved a stipulation. The Community Board had “forced” the establishment to enter into… Continue reading Recent Court Decisions Upholding Liquor Licenses – Senter and Eldridge
The New York State Liquor Authority
The New York State Liquor Authority has acted as the major regulator of dancing in venues offering alcohol using a scheme that Liquor Licenses and a venues Method of Operation must show whether the venue is offering patron dancing and collaborates with Community Boards to restrict dancing and live music. The SLA collaborates with Community Boards in its enforcement.
M.A.R.C.H. Abolished, Creates CURE, and moved from Mayor’s Office to the ONL Under the Department of Small Business Services
On December 28, 2023, Mayor Adams moved the functions of M.A.R.C.H. to the newly moved Office of Nightlife in the Department of Small Business Services. Jeffrey Garcia announced the launch of “Coordinating a United Resolution with Establishments” (CURE) – a new process for NYPD, SBS, and ONL to improve public safety responses to nightlife establishments… Continue reading M.A.R.C.H. Abolished, Creates CURE, and moved from Mayor’s Office to the ONL Under the Department of Small Business Services
May 2023 Coalition Position Paper
Gathered here a citations, references to basic documents, and explanations found in the letter summarizing the need for reform of SLA and Community Board processes concerning dancing and music.
SLA States that Method of Operation Must Include Statement Allowing Dancing
Whenever a Community Board objects to a License Application, for example, to restrict dancing or live music, the SLA’s practices is to require approval by the SLA Board, thereby pressuring license applicants to agrees to excessive and even unconstitutional requirements of Community Boards.
Steps to Determine Whether Dancing is Prohibited in an Establishment Because of Zoning
The Liquor License Database does not indicate the Use Group of the 2324 establishments prohibiting Patron Dancing. Below are steps to determine this fact for a singles establishment.