She wants a dance dance revolution.<\/p>\n
Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to undo an old \u201cFootloose!\u201d-style state law that makes it illegal to dance in some restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s 2026 State of the State <\/a>policy book released ahead of her Tuesday speech said Hochul will direct the State Liquor Authority to create a hybrid restaurant-dance license.<\/p>\n Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at the New York State of the State. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2025 in Albany, New York. Angus Mordant for NY Post<\/p>\n \u201cTo improve trust and transparency and cut red tape, Governor Hochul will charge SLA with allowing\u00a0dancing\u00a0by\u00a0default\u00a0in taverns and bars and creating a new hybrid restaurant-tavern license,\u201d the policybook stated.<\/p>\n Dancing is currently forbidden under state rules for a restaurant license \u2014 but under the hybrid options owners could offer a place to cut a rug in addition to dining. <\/p>\n \u201cThe new hybrid license type will bring more transparency to the community, as the license will accurately reflect the character of the establishment,\u201d Hochul said.<\/p>\n Under the current law, applicants applying for bar and tavern licenses must explicitly request dancing on the premises.<\/p>\n Under Hochul\u2019s proposal, bars and taverns would automatically have the right to showcase dancing, if the application is approved. <\/p>\n Applicants will continue to require community disclosure and comment periods for dancing and performance dancing, including from the community boards.<\/p>\n Revelers drink and dance in Yard House wearing holiday character costumes during the SantaCon bar crawl on December 13, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images<\/p>\n The head of the New York State Restaurant Association applauded the proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are likely some restaurateurs who would want to do that. It creates new opportunity by cutting through red tape,\u201d said Restaurant Association CEO Melissa Fleischut. <\/p>\n Hochul appears to be taking a page<\/a> from New York City.<\/p>\n The head of the New York State Restaurant Association applauded the proposal. bennnn \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n