New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Eric Thor, a former co-chair of the city's chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, as executive director of the Office of Nightlife, a role the mayor's office describes as the city's "nightlife mayor" post. Mamdani announced the appointment on Friday, and in a statement said Thor had spent years organizing alongside working people and would bring the same commitment to building a nightlife economy that works for everyone.

Mamdani said 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 end the city's decades-old practice of raiding venues during prime late-night hours. Thor is a regular in the club scene of East Williamsburg and Bushwick, according to Paper Magazine.S2

The salary has not been confirmed, though a city job posting earlier this year listed a range of up to $151,101. That is the same annual amount Jeffrey Garcia earned as the city's previous nightlife czar under then-Mayor Eric Adams. The bill signing event was held at the House of YES in Bushwick and featured punk rock drummer Marky Ramone of The Ramones.S2

The appointment has drawn criticism from the hospitality industry. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the 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.S2