Exclusive | New Cheers campaign seeks to end Prohibition-era rules in NY

Cheers!A business coalition is launching a campaign to loosen nearly century-old Prohibition-era state laws that make it harder to sell booze in New York.The “Cheers for Change” push is being propelled by the Business Council of New York State, liquor merchants, bars and restaurants and hospitality leaders.Under the proposal, New York would:Many of the state’s liquor rules date back to the years immediately after Prohibition ended in 1934.Yet nearly a century later, businesses and consumers are operating in an entirely different 21st century economy, the coalition said.Some of the old regulations have been updated, but much more needs to be done, the group said.“New York has made real progress, and we applaud Governor Hochul, the Legislature and the State Liquor Authority for beginning the work of modernizing the state’s alcohol laws,” said Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, in a statement.“But there is still a long way to go,” he said.

“New York’s hospitality economy, small businesses and consumers deserve a liquor law framework that reflects the realities of 2026 — not 1934.”Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said, “Updating the 200-Foot and 500-Foot Laws and modernizing tied-house restrictions will remove unnecessary barriers to opening and growing restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses, ensuring New York’s regulatory framework reflects today’s economy and consumer demand.”Updating the state’s liquor law will help grocers and eateries, as well, the coalition said.New York currently bars grocery stores from selling wine because of opposition from the liquor-store lobby.During the past several years, the state has enacted a series of reforms, such as allowing more operational flexibility for restaurants and bars.But some neighborhoods have complained about being inundated with bars and restaurants, and there will be resistance to scrapping or ...