ARIEL PALITZ

From the Service Industry to Public Service

From 2004-2014 Ariel owned the Sutra Lounge in NYC in NYC. In 2005, her club was marked as the number 1 “nosiest bar” in NYC by the NY Post because her venue had the most 311 complaints in the City from one chronic caller. Even though the calls were deemed unfounded triggered years of multi-agency inspections and enforcement. This experience due to the historically adversarial relationship between nightlife and city government compelled untimely activated and politicized Ariel into public service to represent  defend not only herself but the industry as a whole

After years serving on her local community board, and as a founding member of the NY Hospitality Alliance, Ariel was appointed  by Mayor de Blasio to lead NYC’s first dedicated Mayors Office of Nightlife, to repair the relationship between NYC and its hospitality industry and community by identifying and resolving systemic challenges, and implement proactive, non-enforcement solutions that support business vitality, address safety and quality of life concerns, while promoting equity, fairness, and harm reduction. 

The Covid-19 pandemic crystalized the purpose and need for a dedicated Office of Nightlife's by serving as crisis manager, guiding New York City's  restaurants, bars and clubs through the daily challenges and mandates, amplifying their needs at the table where decisions were being made and helping to develop emergency programs such as the outdoor dining and open streets programs. 

Ariel now leverages her real world  expertise to provide meaningful guidance and solutions to global governments establishing new nighttime governance offices and programs while advising hospitality developers and operators on navigating city, state and community procedures, as well providing coaching and motivation for aspirational entrepreneurs.