Take Action: Write Your Council Member

Participate in Metropolis in Motion's campaign to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the cabaret laws by writing to your NYC Council member. We've provided a suggested letter you can use below, just cut and paste into your favorite word processor.

To find the council member for your neighborhood, use this form on the NYC Council web site.


Dear Council Member:

I hope you will take action to reform the archaic and redundant cabaret laws.

I support cabaret law reform because:

  • DANCE SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED
    Dance is expressive, like playing music or painting. Dance is financially and culturally valuable to the city, and personally valuable to many – myself included!

  • THE LAWS ARE UNFAIR TO SMALL BUSINESSES
    Cabaret licenses are often limited to large venues because of associated costs and zoning restrictions. Small business owners are penalized when patrons dance.

  • THE CABARET LAWS DON’T WORK
    If the goal is to reduce the problems of noise and disorderly conduct associated with nightlife, the focus should be on better enforcement of existing laws that regulate these issues directly. Restricting dance is arbitrary and unnecessary.

A group has formed to represent dancers’ interests in this issue; please contact them at www.metropolisinmotion.org to discuss the potential for cabaret law reform.

Yours in motion,

Your name & address