Ariel Palitz is New York City’s first “Nightlife Mayor.”Appointed as the Founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Nightlife serving under both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mayor Eric Adams from 2018 to 2023. In that time, Ariel used her experience as a former nightclub owner and community board member to create the infrastructure for a new government office, identified systemic challenges and developed non-enforcement solutions, while helping to navigate the hospitality industry through the Covid 19 pandemic. Before serving at the Mayor’s Office, Ariel was a founding member of the NYC Hospitality Alliance while she owned and operated the Sutra Lounge from 2004-2014.

Ariel continues her advocacy as the Nightlife Advisor for the NYC Hospitality Alliance and works as a global nighttime government consultant, public speaker and local industry advisor.