Cabaret Law Timeline
1926: The cabaret law is created because: “there has been altogether too much running ‘wild' in some of these night clubs and in the judgment of your Committee, the ‘wild' stranger and the foolish native should have the check-rein applied a little bit.” The interracial mixing that happened at jazz clubs was also frowned upon.
1961: The law is changed to permit cabarets only in manufacturing and commercial zones. There are 12,000 licensed cabarets.
1967: The law is amended to remove the requirement that musicians playing in clubs “be of good character.” Before this, performers like Miles Davis and Billie Holliday were forbidden to appear in most NYC venues.
1989: The city tightens zoning restrictions, leaving even less space available for cabarets. Due to gentrification, areas like Tribeca, Soho and the flatiron district no longer allow “cabarets” to open.
2002: Of the 4,811 venues with liquor licenses, only 276 are licensed cabarets where people are allowed to dance.
2003: City Council member Alan Gerson introduces cabaret law reform onto the legislative agenda.
2004: Mayor Bloomberg drops his proposal to reform the cabaret laws after criticism from the New York Nightlife Association (NYNA). His proposal would have traded the cabaret license for a more general “nightlife license” to be required of any venue open past 1AM with noise levels above 90 decibels.
2005: Attorney Paul Chevigny and co-counsel Norman Siegel file a lawsuit on behalf of dancers in New York City . They assert that dance is a basic form of human expression and deserves protection under the New York State constitution's 1 st Amendment. He also asserts the cabaret laws are “arbitrary and capricious” and deny dancers due process of law.
2006: Judge Michael Stallman dismisses Chevigny's lawsuit. Chevigny files an appeal in November.
2007: Chevigny's appeal is dismissed at a hearing in February. He is considering a final appeal to the New York Court of Appeals, NY State's highest court. NYC holds its first Dance Parade to showcase the beauty and diversity of dance in NYC and speak out about the cabaret laws.