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Williamsburg Bar Sues New York City For The Constitutional Right To Dance
Williamsburg Bar Sues New York City For The Constitutional Right To Dance
Megan WillettSep 30, 2014, 21:11 IST
Muchmore's - a music venue, bar, and coffee house in Williamsburg - is challenging a New York law that prohibits its patrons from dancing, according a New York Post report.The suit references NYC's cabaret laws, which require all venues to have a license if they plan to host dancing by more than three people at a time. The restrictions date back to Prohibition when police were targeting New York's (booze-serving) dance halls, and speakeasies began to pop up all around the city.But bar owner and real estate attorney Andrew Muchmore argues that the law has become arbitrary in the 21st century and infringes on his customers' First and 14th Amendment rights (free speech and equal protection).According to The Post, the suit claims that without the license, Muchmore has been forced to play "folk music, rock music, experimental electronic music, jazz and other forms of music that are not conducive to dancing" at his bar.But he believes it's the constitutional right of customers to get down. Muchmore argues in his suit that cabaret laws prevent him from playing a certain type of music that would encourage dancing.So why doesn't he just get the cabaret license? Muchmore claims that he would have to set up "elaborate digital security systems and to jump through a mass of bureaucratic hoops." The Post also notes that the licenses are usually only issued to larger nightclubs than tiny bar establishments.
