No New Year’s music until 12:01

By Alan Markoff, alan@cfp

> Comment on this story

The Cayman Islands Government has decided not to allow music on New Year’s Eve – which falls on a Sunday this year – until 12:01am, in keeping with the dictates of the current Music and Dancing (Control) Law.

Cabinet Minister Charles Clifford announced the Government’s decision Friday to give the business community ample time to make their holiday plans.

“The Cabinet has recently considered the matter and has decided on what it believes is a sensible approach which honours religious and cultural norms while balancing the importance of New Year’s Eve activities for those residents and visitors who wish to celebrate at licensed establishments,” Mr. Clifford said.

The Music and Dancing (Control) Law forbids the playing of music on Sundays in establishments licensed to serve alcohol except for pre–recorded music of a soft, background nature in restaurants and hotels.

Nightclubs are not allowed to play music at all on Sundays.

Alcohol can be sold in licensed establishments on Sundays, however, those establishments must usually close at midnight.

The compromise offered by the Government will allow for licensed establishments to apply for permission to extend their hours on New Year’s to 3am. Music will be allowed in those establishments from 12:01am until 3am.

Mr. Clifford said the decision followed a longstanding precedent.

“It has become customary for non–exempt businesses, in particular nightclubs, to commence operations at 12:01am on the day immediately after a prohibited day,” Mr. Clifford said. “This decision simply affirms existing practices.”

Mr. Clifford noted that not everyone would be happy about the Cabinet’s decision.

“No doubt, this policy will be welcomed by some and fiercely debated by others,” he said. “However, it is important that we continue to strike a delicate balance which recognized economic realities but also longstanding tradition.”