In New York City , there ’s atricky lawon the book that requires any business serving food or crapulence to acquire what ’s know as a Cabaret License to leave customers to dance . The mandate stems from a 1926 insurance introduced by then - city manager Jimmy Walker tohelp curbwhat some residents trust to be “ altogether too much run wild ” in the Jazz Age clubs of the epoch . ( It ’s also possible that the police force was meant to preventinterracial coupler . ) urban center official have regularly enforced the police during the proceeding century , with some clubs even abbreviate off music — or switching to res publica — when inspector arrived unannounced .
Now , it appears the superannuated restriction has come to an remainder . According toThe New York Times , Brooklyn councilman Rafael Espinal has introduced a flier expected to pass Tuesday that will forever end any and all comparisons to the 1984 Kevin Bacon filmFootloose . The repeal comes on the heels of concerns that the prohibition pushes people into attending " secret " dance clubs that exceed ( or ignore ) fire section content demarcation line .
While Espinal is convinced he has the necessary votes to move forward , several proprietor have attempted to challenge the jurisprudence over the years . In 2014 , prevention possessor and attorney Andrew Muchmorefiled a lawsuitin U.S. District Court claim that the limitation was outdated and obtain the license was a operose process . To approve an software , the city ’s Department of Consumer liaison has to verify a venue has security photographic camera and owners have to attend regular control panel conference . The cost of the license can drift from $ 300 to $ 1000,dependingon the area ’s content and , for some abysmal reason , whether it ’s an even or odd yr .
Espinal ’s efforts and anticipated success getting free of the Cabaret Law will crest 91 years of illicit dancing within the city limits . Just do n’t get too snug with your partner : thanks to another archaic regulation , you may still be fined$25 for flirting .
