Socialist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has hired a longtime comrade to be the city’s new “nightlife mayor.”
Hizzoner announced Friday that he appointed Eric Thor, a former co-chair of New York City’s chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, as executive director of the Office of Nightlife.
Mamdani said in a statement that Thor would focus on improving conditions for nightlife workers, streamlining the permitting process for small events and strengthening the Coordinating a United Resolution with Establishments (CURE) program introduced in 2024 to scrap the city’s decades-old practice of raiding venues during prime, late-night hours.
“Eric has spent years organizing alongside working people, and he will bring that same commitment building a nightlife economy that works for everyone,” Mamdani said.
Thor is a regular in East Williamsburg and Bushwick’s club scene, according to Paper Magazine.
It’s unclear what Thor will make, but a job posting by the city earlier this year listed a salary range of up to $151,101. Jeffrey Garcia, the city’s previous nightlife czar under then-Mayor Eric Adams, earned $151,101 annually.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation into law in 2017 officially establishing an Office of Nightlife that included an executive director to act as a liaison between club owners, residents, and city agencies, as well as a 12-member Nighttime Advisory Board.
The festive bill signing event took place at the House of YES in Bushwick, and it featured legendary punk rock drummer Marky Ramone of The Ramones.
But the appointment has already ruffled feathers in the hospitality industry.
Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the influential New York City Hospitality Alliance, told Gothamist he was caught off guard by the hiring — despite chairing the advisory board for the Office of Nightlife.
“It’s strikingly bizarre that they wouldn’t reach out to the Office of Nightlife Advisory Board,” he said.
