As you've probably gathered, we love a good Pre-Prohibition Era cocktail, but when it comes to our laws, we like them a little more current.  So, needless to say, we're a little excited about the possible repeal of the Cabaret Laws in the city. 

For those of you not familiar with the law it reads something like this:

^{Any room, place or space in the city in which any musical entertainment, singing, dancing or other form of amusement is permitted in connection with the restaurant business or the business of directly or indirectly selling to the public food or drink, except eating or drinking places, which provide incidental musical entertainment, without dancing, either by mechanical devices, or by not more than three persons.}

^{-From NYS Leginfo}

Basically, what that legal mumbo jumbo means is that no more than three people can dance in a bar or club in NYC without a specific (and really difficult to obtain) license.  The law was instated back in 1926 to put Harlem jazz clubs out of business, but was largely ignored after Prohibition.  The law was resurrected during the Guiliani days as a part of his semi-fascist regime, as I'm sure most NYC residents remember. The Voice has a full history of the law here, if you're interested.

This isn't typically an issue in the spots we frequent, but several bars have had to take this thing pretty seriously- probably because they faced the wrath of Guiliani back in the day.  But now, it might not be an issue.  Mayor Bloomberg reportedly wants to "balance between letting people have fun and to assure people in the neighborhood that they won't be disturbed by what goes on."  So, what's his first order of business?  Repealing this antiquated law. 

Kudos Mr. Bloomberg.