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: Method of Operation
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.
Community Board 1 Stipulations to be Added to the Liquor license
Some Community Boards, such as Community Board 1, may require Applicants to enter into a Stipulation which Applicant’s are required to sign, which refer to music, cover fees, and dancing and CB1 then requests that the SLA include the Stipulation in any Liquor License.
The New York State Liquor Authority – Method of Operation
The New York State Liquor Authority has acted 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.