Night Mayor’s Listening Tour Kicks Off Next Week in Brooklyn

PROSPECT HEIGHTS – Nine months after the city created the Office of Nightlife and named the first ever “Night Mayor,” a listening tour of the five boroughs is set to begin—and it kicks off next week in Brooklyn!

The program will take place on Tuesday, October 2 at the Murmrr Theatre on Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights, where residents, business owners, performers and more are encouraged to come out and voice their concerns regarding nightlife in NYC.

“New York nightlife is a large part of who we are, and a big part of why people want to live, visit, and play here,” said Senior Executive Director Ariel Palitz. “Nightlife is about being social, coming together, making a living, and celebrating life. But it also comes with real challenges. These listening sessions are the perfect opportunity to hear from all New Yorkers, both inside and outside of the industry to ensure that nightlife and New York works for everyone, 24/7.”

Named to the position earlier this year, Palitz has a mandate to facilitate communication and provide a point of contact between city agencies, communities, and New York’s nightlife industry.

The Office of Nightlife was created last year through legislation sponsored by Councilmember Espinal, who was instrumental in repealing the “Cabaret Law” that limited public dancing in New York’s nightclubs and bars.

“It is my hope that through this listening tour, we can hear from a wide array of voices on how to improve the nightlife experience for everyone,” said Councilmember Espinal. “I encourage residents from every borough to attend these meetings, so they can be as inclusive and productive as possible.”

Espinal said he fought to establish the office to assist the industry, and will continue to advocate for struggling venues. Some residents have expressed fears that the Office of Nightlife will serve to protect noisy or busy venues from legitimate complaints made by their neighbors, instead of working as a mediator.

The listening sessions will provide one of the first public opportunities for residents to speak out, after an introductory meeting took place in a Brooklyn DIY space back in March.

Night Mayor Listening Tour – Brooklyn
Murmrr Theatre at Union Temple of Brooklyn 
17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (map)
Tuesday, October 2
6:00pm – 8:30pm