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: Music and Dancing Method of Operations
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.
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.
SLA Method of Operation Form 2013
Applicants for New York State Liquor licenses must include in the application a statement of the proposed Method of Operation, which is then deemed to be part of a resulting liquor license, and licensees must conform to the proposed method and apply for modification if uses are changed. The form has changed over time. This version pre-dates the repeal of the Cabaret Law.