User:Mexico3000/sandbox

= New York City Cabaret (No Dancing) Law = Originally enacted in 1926 during Prohibition, the NYC Cabaret (No Dancing) Law refers to the prohibition of dancing in all NYC spaces open to the public that sell food and/or drink with the exception of those who obtain a cabaret license. Critics argue that the license is expensive and difficult to obtain while enforcement is arbitrary and has historically been weaponized against certain groups while its proponents insist it minimizes noise complaints. According to New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs:"“A Cabaret License is required for any business that sells food and / or beverages to the public and allows patron dancing in a room, place, or space.”"

History
Initially bundled with a multitude of regulations, including the banning of saxophones in unlicensed venues, the Three Musician Rule and the New York City Cabaret Card program, the laws targeted jazz clubs, particularly in Harlem. Throughout its 90+ year history the law has been selectively enforced with it’s most notable enforcer, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, resurrecting the dormant rule to fine and shut down perceived nuisance bars in the late 90’s.

Regulations
All applicants for a cabaret license must be fingerprinted, provide extensive financial records, meet specific zoning, surveillance, physical security, fire, building, electrical, health and record keeping requirements and pay the fees associated with each compliance. As of 2016 NYC claimed there were currently 118 cabaret licenses in a city of 25,100 licensed food service establishments.

Controversy
The law has been heavily scrutinized from the general public, within city government and in federal court where it has been challenged several times. In 2015, Brooklyn attorney and bar owner Andrew Muchmore filed a still ongoing case against the regulation claiming it violated the 1st and 14th amendment of the constitution.