New York to end restaurant reservation scalping with bill that goes into effect in February

January 9, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Diners sit outside a restaurant on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in New York. Photo: John Minchillo/AP

Share this:

STATEWIDE — THE RESTAURANT RESERVATION ANTI-PIRACY ACT, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul last month, will go into effect mid-February. The bill prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from “scalping” reservations without the permission of restaurant owners and making dining inaccessible to those who refused to pay, Hochul said in December. Restaurants have been experiencing high amounts of no-shows since 2022, reports Gothamist: Amy Zhou, a partner of a Manhattan hospitality company, says that no-shows for reservations spiked to as much as 25%, compared to the former rate of 5-10%.

“We’re putting an end to the predatory black market for restaurant reservations — protecting consumers and businesses, and giving everyone a chance to get a seat at the dinner table,” Hochul said at the bill signing. “New York is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and whether you’re returning to your favorite local spot or trying out the latest in fine dining, you deserve a fair system.”

✰✰✰