According to a published report from Syracuse.com, New York State has effectively stuck a stake in the heart of the bar and club scene, already on life-support since the pandemic shut down the live music and touring business this past spring. As of now, for Phase 3 of the re-opening of the state, New York State prohibits them from offering live music that customers pay for separately. It seems to have suddenly popped up in the rules this week. It means no events where patrons buy tickets to see a performance. It also appears to ban events with cover charges. And it prohibits venues from advertising live entertainment. Realistically bars and small shows were not coming back as part of Phase 3 anyhow with infection numbers spiking all over the country, and New York being fearful of another lockdown. Still, this is very bad news in an already rough time for the business.