People v. CaroLine's For Comedy, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Martin Schoenfeld, J.

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

"Weep, and you weep alone.” (Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Solitude.)

The issue presented is whether a comedy club may be deemed a cabaret for the purpose of requiring compliance with the New York City Building Code’s fire regulations. In the instant case the court finds that it can.

THE FACTS

Defendant Caroline’s For Comedy, Inc., which owned a well-*1062known comedy club called Caroline’s, is charged with violating Administrative Code of the City of New York § C19-156.2, since recodified as § 27-4260, for failing to have an…