Tell NYC Council: Legalize Dance "Repeal NYC's Racist 1926 Cabaret Law"

Call City Council: 212-788-7210



Tell your City Council Member:

"Sign on to Bill 1652. Repeal the Cabaret Law. #LetNYCDance"

  • Social dancing is a fundamental cultural expression.
  • Arbitrary enforcement creates discrimination today.
  • There are no legal community spaces to dance in most neighborhoods in NYC and fewer than 100 licensed spaces in all five boroughs.
  • I love to dance and shouldn't be a criminal for it.
  • Racist, homophobic, discriminatory intent and legacy.

Click the Map for Your City Council Member's Phone Number

End NYC's jazz-era ban on dancing. The Cabaret Law requires a permit for social dancing, which is almost impossible to get. Of the tens of thousands of places where New Yorkers dance, only 88 have a Cabaret License. Almost everywhere you might dance in New York City, it's illegal.

The people who get cited today are, as you would expect, the most marginalized. The Cabaret Law is used as a trojan horse to get through the door of our most vulnerable communities.

We applaud New York City Council for introducing bill #1652 to repeal this discriminatory unconstitutional law which has no place in today's civil society. We will fight to the finish to see it through.

On Our Letterhead:

NYC Artist Coalition - Letter to NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal "Repeal the Cabaret Law"



Cabaret Citations Jan 2016 - June 2017

in New York City Council Districts

Source: DNAInfo, City Stonewalls Council, Defends 'Racist' No Dancing Law

Active Cabaret Licenses

in New York City Council Districts

Source: NYC DCA Business License Applications, accessed August 2017

Created in 1926 with racist and discriminatory intent, the Cabaret Law has been systematically used as a conservative strategy to decimate cultural life. During the 1920s and '30s it targeted African American jazz establishments and was used to halt interracial dancing. In the '90s, it was redeployed by Mayor Giuliani against New York City’s thriving nightlife culture and to target gay and lesbian bars.

It is nearly impossible to receive a Cabaret License due to a combination of constraints and onerous zoning requirements.

Zoned for Cabaret Licenses

in New York City Council Districts

Sources: Zoning Resolution 32-21, Cabaret License Checklist, and NYC GIS Zoning Features

Currently, dancing is only allowed in spaces with a Cabaret License. Licenses are only granted in areas zoned C4, C6, C7, C8, M1, M2, & M3 for Use Group 12. These zoning categories imply wrongly that social dancing even among few people is equivalent to an arena.

When New York City is at its best, dancing happens everywhere. Repeal the Cabaret Law so we are free to engage with one another.

New York City Council Phone Numbers

Bronx

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Queens

Staten Island

Bronx

Allerton, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Baychester, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Bedford Park, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Belmont, 718-842-8100, Ritchie Torres

Bronx Park East, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Castle Hill, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma

City Island, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Claremont Village, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson

Clason Point, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma

Co-op City, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Concourse, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson

Concourse Village, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Country Club, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

East Tremont, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Eastchester, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Edenwald, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Edgewater Park, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Fieldston, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Fordham, 718-842-8100, Ritchie Torres

High Bridge, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson

Hunts Point, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Kingsbridge, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Longwood, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Melrose, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Morris Heights, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera

Morris Park, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Morrisania, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Mount Eden, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera

Mott Haven, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito

Mount Hope, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera

North Riverdale, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Northeast Bronx, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Norwood, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Olinville, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Parkchester, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma

Pelham Bay, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Pelham Gardens, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Pelham Parkway, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Port Morris, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Riverdale, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Schuylerville, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Soundview, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma

South Bronx, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito

Spuyten Duyvil, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Throgs Neck, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Unionport, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma

University Heights, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera

Van Cortlandt Village, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Van Nest, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Wakefield, 718-684-5509, Andy King

West Farms, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr

Westchester Square, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Williamsbridge, 718-684-5509, Andy King

Woodlawn, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen

Zerega, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Brooklyn

Bath Beach, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger

Bay Ridge, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile

Bedford Stuyvesant, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy

Bensonhurst, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger

Bergen Beach, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Boerum Hill, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Borough Park, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield

Brighton Beach, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

Broadway Junction, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal

Brooklyn Heights, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Brooklyn Navy Yard, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Brownsville, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy

Bushwick, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso

Canarsie, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Carroll Gardens, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander

City Line, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal

Clinton Hill, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo

Cobble Hill, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander

Coney Island, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger

Crown Heights, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy

Cypress Hills, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal

Ditmas Park, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene

Downtown Brooklyn, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Dumbo, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Dyker Heights, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile

East Flatbush, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams

East New York, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron

East Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso

Flatbush, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams

Flatlands, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams

Fort Greene, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo

Fort Hamilton, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile

Fulton Ferry, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Georgetown, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Gerritsen Beach, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Gowanus, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander

Gravesend, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger

Greenpoint, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Highland Park, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal

Homecrest, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

Kensington, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander

Madison, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

Manhattan Beach, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

Manhattan Terrace, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

Marine Park, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Midwood, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield

Mill Basin, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Mill Island, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

New Lots, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron

North Side Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso

Ocean Hill, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy

Ocean Parkway, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield

Paerdegat Basin, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel

Park Slope, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander

Prospect Heights, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo

Prospect Lefferts Gardens, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene

Prospect Park South, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene

Red Hook, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca

Remsen Village, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron

Rugby, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy

Sea Gate, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger

Sheepshead Bay, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch

South Side Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso

Spring Creek, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron

Starrett City, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron

Sunset Park, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca

Vinegar Hill, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Wallabout, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo

Weeksville, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy

Williamsburg, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin

Windsor Terrace, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca

Wingate, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy

Manhattan

Battery Park City, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Carnegie Hill, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Central Harlem, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens

Central Park, 212-873-0282, Helen Rosenthal

Central Park South, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Chelsea, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Chinatown, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Civic Center, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Clinton, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

East Harlem, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens

East Harlem, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito

East Village, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

El Barrio, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito

Financial District, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Flatiron, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Governors Island, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Gramercy, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

Grand Central, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Greenwich Village, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Hamilton Heights, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine

Hell's Kitchen, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Hudson Yards, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Inwood, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez

Kips Bay, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

Lenox Hill, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Lincoln Square, 212-873-0282, Helen Rosenthal

Little Italy, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Lower East Side, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

Manhattan Valley, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine

Manhattanville, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine

Marble Hill, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez

Midtown, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Midtown South, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Midtown West, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Morningside Heights, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens

Murray Hill, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Noho, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

Peter Cooper Village, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Randalls Island, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito

Roosevelt Island, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Rosehill, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez

San Juan Hill, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Soho, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Stuyvesant Town, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Sutton Place, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Tribeca, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Tudor City, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Turtle Bay, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

Upper East Side, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Upper West Side, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens

Washington Heights, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez

Washington Square Village, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin

Waterside, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick

West Village, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson

Yorkville, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Queens

Arverne, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Astoria, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides

Astoria Heights, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides

Auburndale, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Bay Terrace, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Bayside, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Beechhurst, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Bellaire, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Belle Harbor, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Bellerose, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Blissville, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Breezy Point, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Briarwood, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Broad Channel, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Brookville, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Cambria Heights, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller

College Point, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Douglaston, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Downtown Flushing, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo

East Elmhurst, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras

Edgemere, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Elmhurst, 718-803-6373, Daniel Dromm

Far Rockaway, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Floral Park, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Forest Hills, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz

Forest Hills Gardens, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz

Fresh Meadows, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Glen Oaks, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Glendale, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley

Hillcrest, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Hollis, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller

Holliswood, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Howard Beach, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Hunters Point, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Jackson Heights, 718-803-6373, Daniel Dromm

Jamaica Center, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Jamaica Estates, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Jamaica Hills, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Kew Gardens, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz

Kew Gardens Hills, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Laurelton, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Lefrak City, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras

Lindenwood, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Little Neck, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Long Island City, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Malba, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Maspeth, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley

Middle Village, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley

Murray Hill, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo

Neponsit, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

North Corona, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras

Oakland Gardens, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Ozone Park, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Pomonok, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Queens Village, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik

Queensboro Hill, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo

Ravenswood, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides

Rego Park, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz

Richmond Hill, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz

Ridgewood, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley

Rochdale, 718-206-2068, Ruben Wills

Rockaway Park, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Rosedale, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

Roxbury, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Seaside, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Somerville, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

South Corona, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras

South Jamaica, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller

South Ozone Park, 718-206-2068, Ruben Wills

Springfield Gardens, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards

St. Albans, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller

Steinway, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides

Sunnyside, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Sunnyside Gardens, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Utopia, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman

Whitestone, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone

Woodhaven, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich

Woodside, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Staten Island

Annadale, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Arden Heights, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Arlington, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Arrochar, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Bay Terrace, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Bloomfield, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Bulls Head, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Butler Manor, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Castleton Corners, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Charleston, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Chelsea, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Clifton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Concord, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Dongan Hills, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Egbertville, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Elm Park, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Eltingville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Emerson Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Graniteville, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Grant City, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Grasmere, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Great Kills, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Greenridge, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Grymes Hill, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Heartland Village, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Howland Hook, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Huguenot, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Lighthouse Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Manor Heights, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Mariner's Harbor, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Midland Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

New Brighton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

New Dorp, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

New Dorp Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

New Springville, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Oakwood, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Old Town, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Park Hill, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Pleasant Plains, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Port Ivory, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Port Richmond, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Prince's Bay, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Randall Manor, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Richmond Town, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Richmond Valley, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Rosebank, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Rossville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Sandy Ground, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Shore Acres, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Silver Lake, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

South Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

St. George, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Stapleton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Sunnyside, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Todt Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Tompkinsville, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Tottenville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

Travis, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

West Brighton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Westerleigh, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo

Willowbrook, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose

Woodrow, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli