New York Bans Live Entertainment At Bars, Restaurants

Gothamist reports:

New York venues have been closed since the start of the pandemic, but with restaurants and bars reopened throughout the state at different capacities, some had begun to take steps to host live events like socially-distanced concerts, sidewalk drag shows, and more.

But this week, the State Liquor Authority (SLA) updated their website to clarify new guidelines that specify that restaurants and bars are prohibited from offering live music, ticketed events, and other forms of outdoor entertainment.

According to the SLA website, “only incidental music is permissible at this time. This means that advertised and/or ticketed shows are not permissible. Music should be incidental to the dining experience and not the draw itself.”

SLA Officially Bans Ticketed Music Events, Karaoke, Other Live Entertainment At Bars & Restaurants https://t.co/HGdvEtwcbg

— Gothamist (@Gothamist) August 21, 2020

Music clubs stunned by State Liquor Authority’s new guidance banning live shows https://t.co/tm7BKCQtaO via @ByKeithMcShea

— Aaron Besecker (@AaronBesecker) August 21, 2020

Governor Cuomo Announces Suspension of 16 Additional New York Bars’ Liquor Licenses for Egregious Violations of Coronavirus-Related Regulationshttps://t.co/NbbN7gYtjg

— NYS Liquor Authority (@NY_SLA) August 17, 2020