Bars throughout the Cayman Islands can now play music and have dancing on their premises on Sundays.
Legislation lifting the Sunday ban on music in standalone bars, that are not part of hotels or restaurants, came into effect on Wednesday, 21 Dec. However, as the first Sunday since the law was changed will be Christmas Day, bars will have to wait until New Year’s Day to put the music on.
Under the Music and Dancing (Control) Act, Christmas Day and Good Friday are now the only two remaining days of the year during which premises with music and dancing licences are not allowed to spin some tunes or have a band or singer performing.
Parliament approved amendments to the Act earlier this month, which allows licensed premises to provide music of a “low background nature” which is not capable of being heard outside the boundaries of the premises in which it is being played.
The change in the legislation also applies to boats.
In a recorded message accompanying a press release announcing the amendments to the Act coming into effect, Minister of Commerce André Ebanks said, “These amendments were made to equalise economic opportunities for owners of standalone bars and seagoing vessels, and allows activities that are already taking place in the restaurant and hotel sector to be extended to standalone bars and seagoing vessels.”
Prior to the change, only hotels and restaurants, as well as premises at ports and airports, were exempted from the Sunday music and dancing ban.
He thanked parliamentary and ministerial staff and legal drafters for finalising the gazettal of the legislation in time for the festive season.
“We hope that this provides the ability to enjoy a little low background music on a Sunday in these venues, and helps to make the holidays a bit more enjoyable for those owners and patrons. Happy holidays, everyone,” he said.
Related Videos
