​NYC council passes bill to create Office of Nightlife and Nightlife Task Force

The Consumer Affairs Committee in New York City has voted to pass a bill that will establish an Office of Nightlife and a Nightlife Task Force in order to preserve and support the city’s nightlife industry.

The Office of Nightlife will be headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor and a permanent Nightlife Advisory Board comprised of 12 members will make annual recommendations to the Mayor and Council on ways to improve laws and policies that relate to the nightlife industry.

In recent months there has been public outrage due to rising property values that have made it difficult for venues to operate. The recently passed bill was also proposed in response to the controversial Cabaret Law, known as the “no dancing” law, which states that no more than three people can dance inside an establishment that does not have a specific license.

NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal, who lead the campaign to pass the new bill, is confident the Office of Nightlife will have a positive effect: “From DIY venues to nightclubs, this bill accurately reflects the diversity of the NYC nightlife scene and makes it possible to recognize the contributions these spaces make. I am happy to see the quick progress of this legislation and look forward to continuing conversations with local communities, workers, small businesses and nightlife advocates on how NYC can be supportive of the nightlife experience.”

NYC’s nightlife industry generates an economic impact of more than $9.7 billion.

Read the new legislation here to find out more.